Sage Sankara explains in Manduka that those who study the Sutras are religious minds, intellectual children.+

The seeker must know the difference between religion and spirituality or Adyatnma. 

Religion is meant for the ignorant who are incapable of grasping the truth. Spirituality or Adythma is meant for those who are seeking to realize God in truth. 

Karma Kanda belongs to religion. Gnana Kanda belongs to spirituality or Adyathma. Karma is meant for religious followers, Gnana is meant for the truth seekers.   

The rituals mentioned in the Karmakanda of the Vedas are sought to be negated in the Gnanakanda which is also part of the same scripture. While the Karmakanda enjoins upon you the worship of various deities and lays down rules for the same, the Gnanakanda constituted by the Upanishads ridicules the worshipper of deities as a dim-witted person no better than a beast.

This seems strange, the latter part of the Vedas contradicting the former part. The first part deals throughout with Karma while the second or concluding part is all about Gnana. 

Owing to this difference, people have gone so far as to divide our scripture into two sections: the Vedas (that is the first part) to mean the Karmakanda and the Upanishads (Vedanta) to mean the Gnanakanda.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (10) - Ignorant fools, regarding sacrifices and humanitarian works as the highest, do not know any higher good. Having enjoyed their reward on the heights of heaven, gained by good works, they still remain in ignorance of the Atman, the God in truth.

As a person, one performs rituals throughout his life.  The person who performs rituals and aspires for rewards will view the world in which he exists as a reality. However, the Soul, the Self unborn eternal hidden by the world in which he exists.  From the standpoint of the Soul, the world in which he exists is merely an illusion. The scriptures dealing with rituals, rewards, etc. are therefore addressed to an ignorant person.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (9) - Children, immersed in ignorance in various ways, flatter themselves, saying: We have accomplished life's purpose. Because these performers of karma do not know the Truth owing to their attachment, they fall from heaven, misery-stricken, when the fruit of their work is exhausted.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (8) - Fools, dwelling in darkness, but wise in their own conceit and puffed up with vain scholarship, wander about, being afflicted by many ills, like blind men led by the blind.

Ish Upanishad declares: - Those people who have neglected the attainment of Self-knowledge and have thus committed suicide 10/11/12

In Brahma Sutra Sage Sankara takes the position that there is another entity outside us, i.e. the wall really exists separately from the mind. This was because, Sage Sankara explains in Manduka that those who study the Sutras are religious minds, intellectual children, hence his popular viewpoint to assist them. These people are afraid to go deeper because it means being heroic enough to refuse to accept Sruti, and God's authority, in case they mean punishment by God.

Sage Sankara says: Keep the scriptures for children but throw them on the fire for wise seekers.

In Brahma Sutras Sage Sankara takes for granted, assumes that a world was created: He there mixes dogmatic theology with philosophy.

That God created the world is an absolute lie; nevertheless, you will find Sage Sankara (in his commentary on Vedanta Sutras) clearly says this! He has to adapt his teachings to his audience, reserving the highest for philosophical minds.

The text of Brahma Sutras is based on religion, dogmatism, but in the commentary Sankara cleverly introduced some philosophy. If it is objected that a number of Upanishads are equally dogmatic because they also begin by assuming Brahman, but a few Upanishads do not but prove Brahman at the end of a train of proof.

The causality and creation, but are for religious people only. Religion is only for those who are unable to understand truth beyond the form, time, and space. Religion is not final. It only gives satisfaction to the populace.

Self-knowledge is for the whole of humanity to free them from experiencing the birth, life, death, and world as reality.

People of small intelligence follow religion and believe that the world was created by God. But how do they know that God did so? When a pot is created, one can see both pot and its maker, but not in the case of the world.

Sage Sankara says:~ V-63-"Without knowing and examining the external world, one can’t know the Truth, as the idea that the external world exists, won't go. It can go only by an inquiry into the nature of the external world.

The seeker has to begin his analysis with the world first, not with the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. The world in which you exist, consciousness is the finality.

A Gnani sees the world in which he exists as consciousness." But to know this they must be examined and studied.

The yogi does not care to know about the world" and for a Gnani nothing remains to be known for him because he is fully aware of the fact that the universe in which he exists is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness.

The Pundits do not know the true nature of the world in which we exist. Scriptures deal only with the Objects, not with the Witness of the objects.

If one starts with the idea that Samsara (universe) exists, he can never see the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, because Samsara (world) is an illusion and only ignorant people read it as a reality. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Identifying the ‘Self’ as ‘you’, is a great error. The Self is not you but the’ Self’ is the Soul.+

Identifying the ‘Self’ as ‘you’ is a great error. The Self is not you but the’ Self’ is the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness.

The form, time, and space are an object to the Soul, which is the subject. The Soul witnesses the form, time, and space together.

The form, time, and space appear as ‘I’. When ‘I’ disappears then the form, time and space also disappear.

The ‘I-centric Gurus hold you as the Self are unaware of the truth hidden by the ‘I’.

The knowledge expounded by the ‘I-centric’ Gurus and their teaching is lower knowledge. The seeker has to ignore these ‘I-centric' teachings and search for higher knowledge, which is hidden by ignorance.

This is your bondage that you are stuck up to the ‘I’ centric teaching. ‘I’ centric teachings are lower knowledge meant for lower stages.

The seeker has to ignore these ‘I’ based teachings and search for higher knowledge. ... Such teachings are unsafe rafts for crossing the ocean of ignorance. Doomed to shipwreck are those who try to cross the ocean of the ignorance on these poor rafts.

Ignorant of their own ignorance, yet wise in their own esteem, these deluded people proud of their vain learning go round and round like the blind led by the blind.

The Soul, the Self is verily Brahman (God), being equanimous, quiescent, and by nature absolute Existence, Knowledge, and Awareness. The Soul is not the ‘I’ which is non-existence itself. Realization of this truth is called Self- Knowledge by the Sages of truth.

There is nothing that exists prior to consciousness. The ‘I’ cease to exist without consciousness. The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ ‘The permanent (consciousness) is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the Soul, the Self.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ “You must first see the ‘I’ as illusory before you see others as illusory. ~ CH.2 v.16

First, you must make sure the ‘I’ itself is illusory because the ‘I’ is not permanent.

The seeker has to find for himself the truth of his true existence and to come to a fuller and deeper understanding and realization of the truth, which is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

The purpose quest for truth is to first find out what is the untruth to realize the truth and discard the untruth.

Do not try to get rid of the ego you will never succeed in getting rid of the ego. Think in a different direction. The ego exists only in the domain of form, time, and space.

The form, time, and space exist only when the mind exists.

The mind exists only when the universe exists.

The universe appears only when the waking appears.

The waking appears only when the ‘I’ appears.

Remember

The ‘I’ disappears in deep sleep.

There is no form, time, and space when ‘I’ disappears.

There is no mind when ‘I’ disappears.

There is the universe when the ‘I’ disappears.

There is no waking when the ‘I’ disappears.

Remember

‘I’ appears means the duality appears.

The duality that appears means there is the division of form, time, and space.

If there is division in the form, time, and space- means there is diversity in the unity.

Remember ~

When ‘I’ disappears, there is nonduality.

Nonduality is the fullness of the consciousness without the division of form, time, and space.

The fullness of the consciousness means unity in diversity.

Unity in diversity in consciousness is Advaita.

Consciously becoming aware of the Soul in the midst of diversity (waking) is Self- awareness or Brahmic awareness.

If you desire Self-realization, but you still say "I,” and if you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, you are not a wise seeker. You are simply ignorant.

‘I’-centric knowledge is unsafe rafts for crossing The Ocean of the ignorance, which is the cause of experiencing the dualistic illusion as a reality.

Doomed to shipwreck are those who try to cross The Ocean of ignorance on these poor rafts of ‘I-centric knowledge. Ignorant of their own ignorance, yet wise in their own esteem, these deluded people proud of their vain learning go round and round like the blind led by the blind. : ~Santthosh Kumaar

There is no need to study Advaita Vedanta or Buddhism to acquire the Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara.+

Advaita is not a theory or a philosophy. Advaita is the nature of the Soul the ‘‘Self’’. There is no need for any theory or philosophy or scriptures to acquire Self -knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Athma Gnana. Only a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is needed.

Sage Sankara says: ~ VC-162- There is no liberation for a person of mere book knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

People dwelling in ignorance, but thinking themselves wise and erudite, go round and round by various blind beliefs and tortuous paths and practices, like the blind led by the blind.

Sage Sankara: ~ 'Like a servant who carries a lamp in front of you to find your way, and you have found it, so becomes the Veda to that person. What is the Veda? ~ utterances of those who have known the Truth. Here is one who has known the Truth; why should he or she depend upon the Veda further?

Sage Sankara:~ Actual realization takes you beyond books. At a certain stage, books become a botheration.

There is no need to study Advaita Vedanta or Buddhism to acquire the Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara. 

Sage Sankara says:~ “Loud speech consisting of a shower of words, the skill in expounding the Scriptures, and likewise, erudition - these merely bring on a little personal enjoyment to the scholar but are no good for liberation then why you are after scholars explanation, when the scholar's scriptural mastery and a shower of words, the skill in expounding the scriptures are no good for liberation.

Sage Sankara says:~ “The study of the Scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known then why you want to study the scriptures.

Sage Sankara says:~ “The Scriptures consisting of many words are a dense forest which merely causes the mind to ramble. Hence, men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the ‘Self’ then why you do not independently investigate and know the ‘‘Self’’

Sage Sankara says:~ “For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae), and medicines to such a one?

When Sage Sankara says:~ “Vedas and mantras will not help you to get rid of the ignorance then why you are indulging in what is not required to acquire the ‘Self’-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Sage Sankara says:~ “ A disease does not leave off if one simply utters the name of the medicine, without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.

Sage Sankara says:~ Let erudite scholars quote all the scripture, let Gods be invoked through sacrifices, let elaborate rituals be performed, let personal Gods be propitiated ~ yet, without the realization of one‘s identity With the ‘Self’, there shall be no liberation for the individual, not even in the lifetimes of a hundred Brahmas put together Sage Sankara says the liberation cannot be the result of scholars giving sermons of all the scripture, by Gods be invoked through sacrifices, by performing elaborate rituals, by propitiating the personal Gods, by good deeds then what is the use of indulging in all these things which are useless to acquire ‘Self’-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

It really depends on his inborn natural capacity to understand and assimilate Advaitic truth.

Sage Sankara’s wisdom is a Self-examiner, to test oneself to discover how near to Gnana he has approached and what progress has already been made on the path, and what still remains to be done. It sets up a criterion for Self-judgement. There are millions in search of truth but one in million will be able to grasp it. 

Grasp the ultimate truth anytime, any age, if the seeker has the spiritual maturity and capacity to grasp it. I can point at the sky, but the seeing of the star is the seeker's own work. It is necessary to reflect on the same truth again and again until it becomes a reality. 

Sage Sankara VC~.63 says: "Without knowing and examining the external world, one can’t know the Truth, as the idea that the external world exists, won't go. It can go only by an inquiry into the nature of the external world.

There is no need to study Advaita Vedanta or Buddhism to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. All accumulated knowledge is of no use to realize the Advaitic truth beyond the form, time, and space.

There is no need to study Advaita Vedanta to realize the Advaitic truth beyond the form, time, and space. Advaita is not a theory or a philosophy. Advaita is the nature of the Soul, the innermost Self. There is no need for any theory or philosophy or scriptures to acquire Self-knowledge. Only a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is needed.

There is no need to buy books on  Sage Sankara in order to acquire Self-knowledge. Perfect understanding of what is what' is needed. Nothing else is a need other than realizing the fact that, the form, time, and space are one in essence and that essence is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness in order to get the Advaitic Self-awareness.

Self-knowledge cannot be attained by the study of the scriptures and intellectual understanding or by bookish knowledge. Therefore, there is no use in studying the scriptures and other scriptures in order to acquire non-dual wisdom. That is why Buddha rejected the scriptures, and even Sage Sankara indicated that the ultimate truth lies beyond religion, the concept of God, and the scriptures. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

Do not believe in words because they are hallowed by dualistic knowledge. Find out the truth for yourself.+

People are stuck to the ‘I’ because they are sentimentally and emotionally stuck to the I-centric Gurus and their teaching. Getting stuck to the ‘I-centric’ Gurus and their teaching is getting stuck to ignorance.

Unless you discard the ‘I-centric’ Gurus and their teaching, it is impossible to mentally transcend from the dualistic illusion to Advaitic reality.

Advaitic can never be reached by argument and provocation. Discard all the accumulated dualistic knowledge by realizing the world in which you exist, exists because of ignorance. Get rid of the ignorance by realizing the world in which you exist is created out of single clay and that single clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Realizing the ‘Self’’ is not you but the Soul is Self-realization. The Soul is the cause of the universe and it itself is uncaused.

Religious and yogic mindset is not fit to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The seekers of truth accept only the truth nothing but the uncontradictable truth.

Bhagavad Gita: 7: 19:~ "Such a man who has attained true knowledge, the knowledge of Self, the knowledge of Atman, worships Me as~ Atman alone exists~ everything is Atman, there exists nothing except Atman. Such a man is extremely rare"

Do not believe in a thing because you have read about it in a book.

Do not believe in a thing because wise man has said it was true.

Do not believe in words because they are hallowed by dualistic knowledge.

Find out the truth for yourself. Use Soulcentric reason, which leads to the realization of the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

Advaitic can never be reached by argument and provocation. Discard all the accumulated dualistic knowledge by realizing the world in which you exist, exists because of ignorance. Get rid of the ignorance by realizing the world in which you exist is created out of single clay and that single clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Realizing the ‘Self’’ is not you but the Soul is Self-realization. The Soul is the cause of the universe and it itself is uncaused.

There is nothing that exists prior to consciousness. The ‘I’ cease to exist without consciousness. The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

That is why Bhagavad Gita: ~ “The permanent (consciousness) is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the truth of the Soul, the Self.

Even after you know the Self is not ‘I’ but you still stuck up to the ‘I’ and you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’ because some gurus have said the Self is ‘I’ then you are not a true seeker.

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ “If you desire liberation, but you still say "I," if you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, you are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers.

Remember:~

The ‘I’ is duality. Without the ‘I’, there is no duality.

The ‘I’ is ignorance without the ‘I’ there is no ignorance.

The ‘I’ is an illusion without the ‘I’ there is no illusion.

The ‘I’ is form, time, and space together without the ‘I’ there is no form, time, and space.

The ‘I’ is the mind without the ‘I’ there is no mind.

The ‘I’ is the universe without the ‘I’ there is no universe.

The ‘I’ is waking or dream without the ‘I’ there is no waking or dream.

The dualists, having the idea of difference, even the least notion of the ‘I’, can never get Self- realization.

For those who are mentally so constituted that they must rely on some authority, who cannot think for themselves, who cannot stand on their own legs, who must quote some man or other, we prescribe scriptures. But for those who have sharp brains, we appeal to reason and so. There is no need for the scriptures to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Instead of knowing who you are inquire into the nature of the universe to realize the Self hidden by the universe.+

Do not waste your time with WHO AM I? and I AM THAT-teachings which are meant for the children who just started their quest. They are only helpful as starters. In later stages, you find them inadequate and useless.

Instead of knowing who you are inquire into the nature of the universe to realize the Self hidden by the universe.

These ‘I-centric teachings are semi-religious and semi-spiritual is not Advaitic wisdom, which is pure spirituality.

Your quest for the truth will not be completed with WHO AM I? AND I AM THAT- teachings. these 'I-centric teaching will not help you to unfold the mystery of the 'I'.

People who are emotionally stuck to the ‘I’-centric gurus and their teaching are unaware of the fact that their emotions and sentiments keep them permanently in the grip of ignorance.

Advaita is the nature of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

First, know what is mind. The mind is not within the body. The form, time, and space together is mind. Without the form, time, and space the mind ceases to exist. Without the form, time, and space the world in which you exist cease to exist. Without the world in which you exist the waking ceases to exist. Without waking, the ‘I’ ceases to exist.

Thus, a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is very much necessary to unfold the mystery of the ‘I’.

Rest in the consciousness by realizing the world in which you exist is nothing but the consciousness. The Soul is the fullness of the consciousness without division of the form, time, and space. Thus the consciousness alone is real and eternal all else is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

Sage Sankara says: ~ “What is accepted without a proper inquiry will not lead to the final Goal. (Commentary on Vedanta Sutra)

Nothing has to be accepted as truth without verification.

Sage Sankara is the only Sage who has final authority on the Advaitic truth (nonduality). The Advaitic truth is rational truth and scientific truth without dogma.

Advaitic wisdom is nothing to do with orthodox Advaita, which is dualistic. Orthodox Advaita is a sect, which blindly accepts and follows dogmas and superstitions.

The Advaitic orthodoxy is not the means to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Advaitic orthodoxy is meant for the ignorant populace that is unfit to grasp the highest truth. The Advaitic orthodoxy is nothing to do with the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

Upanishad says: ~ “The human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge and they indicate that the belief in the personal Gods, yoga scriptures, worship, and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge, then why anyone should indulge in it. The religion, concept of individualized god and scriptures are an obstacle to Self-realization because they are based on false self.

The seeker of truth has to search the ultimate truth without losing himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, through deeper Self-search and assimilate and realize it.

That is why Sage Sankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam says: ~ (Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena) ~ One without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows.

Sage Sankara’s wisdom is not a teaching or philosophy but Advaita is the universal wisdom. Advaitic wisdom is neither a teaching nor a theory but it is merely guidance to those who are seriously seeking the ultimate truth or Brahman. Grasp the ultimate truth anytime, any age, if the seeker has the spiritual maturity and capacity to grasp it.

Sage Sankara says: ~ VC-47- All the effects of ignorance, root, and branch, are burnt down by the fire of knowledge, which arises from discrimination between these two—the Self and the not-Self.

It really depends on his inborn natural capacity to understand and assimilate it. Sage Sri, Sankara’s wisdom is a Self-examiner, to test oneself to discover how near to Gnana he has approached and what progress has already been made on the path and what still remains to be done. It sets up the criterion for Self-judgement. There are millions in search of truth but one in million will be able to grasp it.

Without Sage Sankara, there is no Advaita (nonduality). Since it was mixed up with orthodoxy there is lots of confusion.

All the Gurus who propagate Advaita of east and west air their knowledge base Advaita on the dualistic perspective and orthodox perspective.

I am highlighting all the obstacles, which is blocking one from realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman. There are so many non-dualistic masters of the east and also from the west who expound Advaitic or non-dualistic knowledge but none of them are helpful to reach the ultimate end.

The seeker has to know and realize the Self is Soul and identify it as his true identity to find liberation from the bondage of the illusion of birth, life, death, and the world(duality). The goal of our life is to find and realize our identity with our Soul, which is the Self.

My main intention is to divert the seeker's attention to the Soul, the source from where the mind (universe) rises and subsides.

Reading and reflecting on my blogs and postings gradually the seekers start assimilating and realizing ‘what is the truth? and what is the untruth?

Repeated reading my blogs and postings make the seeker, Soulcentric, and the inner dialogue will start and clear all the doubts and confusion.

When there is no doubts and confusion, then they have realized the truth that the form, time and space are one in essence. And that essence is consciousness.

There is no use in wasting time in questioning and arguing the same time and effort has to be used to make the seeker more independent and without external spoon-feeding, he can reach the inner core, which is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

The words that mean different things to different people, it is what's behind the words, between, the lines that matter. Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is meant for the class, not for the mass. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Sage Sankara‘s Advaitic truth is rational truth, scientific truth, and also the ultimate truth.+

Sage Sankara was the first Sage scientist who unfolded the mystery of the universe 1200 years back. Sage Sankara's Advaitic wisdom more rational and scientific and nothing to do with religion and its dogmas.

Sage Sankara says this entire universe which through ignorance appears as of diverse forms, is nothing else but Brahman which is absolutely free from all the limitations of human thought.

In the scientific field, the knowledge one can bank on discoveries of different scientists. Newton discovered the law of gravity and Einstein formulated the principle of relativity. In addition, scientists take it for granted that these principles are valid. It is not so in pursuit of truth. If one sage discovers the ultimate truth then the seeker without verification cannot accept it as truth blindly.

Newton discovered the law of gravity, which is applicable only to the waking experience, which is only a half-truth. Nobody has discovered there is no gravity in deep sleep. All three states have taken into account to get the whole truth.

Only Sage Sankara has discovered the whole truth 1200 years back. Scientific inventions are limited to form, time, and space. The mystery of the universe is hidden by the illusory form, time, and space.

Sage Sankara: ~VC~ if the universe is true, let it then be perceived in the state of deep sleep also. As it is not at all perceived, it must be unreal and false like dreams.

Sage Sankara says:~VC-47- All the effects of ignorance, root, and branch, are burnt down by the fire of knowledge, which arises from discrimination between these two—the Self and the not-Self.

Chandogya Upanishad:~ One who meditates upon and realizes the Self discovers that everything in the cosmos-- energy and space, fire and water, name and form, birth and death, mind and will, word and deed, mantrams and meditation--all come from the Self.

Sage Sankara says: ~ ‘Whatever thing remains eternal is true, and whatever is non-eternal is untrue. Since the world is created and destroyed, it is not true.

Truth is the thing that is unchanging. Since the world is changing, it is not true.

Whatever is independent of space and time is true, and whatever has space and time in itself is untrue.

Just as one sees dreams in sleep, he sees a kind of super-dream when he is waking. The world is compared to this conscious dream.

The world is believed to be a superimposition of the Brahman. Superimposition cannot be true.

On the other hand, Sage Sankara claims that the world is not absolutely false. It appears false only when compared to Brahman. In the pragmatic state, the world is completely true—which occurs as long as we are under the influence of ignorance.

The world is both real and unreal. It is real because it is a manifestation of consciousness, but is unreal, in the sense, that it is not absolute and eternal like consciousness itself.

Remember:~

People's approach is more practical, and they stuck with the reality of the world, they take it as real. That is why all the confusion.

The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the world, observed, and experienced. The commoner viewing the world will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same world. Each one interprets the world that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego, therefore, experiences the birth, life, death, and the world as a reality, whereas a Gnani sees everything as the consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul or the consciousness.

Thus, all the egocentric (religious) adulteration has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

Sage Sankara says the transparent Truth of the Self, which is hidden by the illusion, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman, (Gnani).

Remember:~

First, know ‘what is the truth’ and ‘what is untruth’ for sure. Without realizing what untruth truth is, it is difficult to know what truth is.

Sage Sankara was criticized for his views on Maya (illusion) without understanding him.

Sage Sankara said: ~

(1) Brahman (Atman) is real

(2) The universe is unreal.

(3) Brahman is the universe.

He did not stop at second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the ‘Self’ and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self. Hence Maya or illusion and reality are one and the same.

The realists criticize the concept of illusion without understanding it.

Sage Sankara said that:~

(1) Consciousness (Atman) is real

(2) The universe or mind is unreal

(3) Consciousness is the universe because the universe is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

One need not stop at second because the third explains the other two. It signifies that the universe is real if perceived as the Self (Atman or consciousness) and unreal if perceived as apart from the Self (consciousness). Hence illusion and reality are one and the same because both are one in essence. Realizing the essence, which is consciousness as the innermost Self, is Self-Realization or Truth-Realization of God-Realization.

Thus, Sage Sankara‘s Advaitic truth is rational truth, scientific truth, and also the ultimate truth.

Sage Sankara: ~ “The world, filled with attachments and aversions, and the rest, is like a dream: it appears to be real as long as one is ignorant, but becomes unreal when one is awake.

Sage Sankara:~ “As fire is the direct cause of cooking, so knowledge, and not any other form of discipline, is the direct cause of Liberation; for Liberation cannot be attained without Knowledge." (Self-Knowledge)

Sage Sankara:~ As the moon appears to be moving when the clouds move in the sky, so also to the non-discriminating. Atman appears to be active when in reality the senses are active.

Sage Sankara said: ~ Just as the snake is superimposed on the rope, this world and this body are superimposed on Brahman or the Soul, the Self. If one gets knowledge of the rope, the illusion of the snake will vanish. Even so, if he gets knowledge of Brahman, the illusion of the body and the world will vanish.

The snake is only an idea: it disappears on inquiry but deeper Self-search reveals the fact that the rope is also an idea and its reality will be exposed when wisdom dawns. There is neither snake nor the rope in reality because from the ultimate standpoint the duality is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

The Soul which is present in the form of consciousness is the root element of the universe. From consciousness, the universe comes into existence. In consciousness, the universe resides. And into the consciousness, the universe is dissolved.

Consciousness is the parent of all that is there is. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman. Brahman is God in truth.

Consciousness is the only reality, and the universe to but an illusory manifestation.

Sage Sankara says you must first know what is before you. If you cannot know that, what else can you know or understand? If you give up the external world in your inquiry, you cannot get the whole truth.

Sage Sankara says in a commentary in Vedanta-sutra that what is accepted without a proper inquiry will not lead a person to the final goal. On the contrary, such acceptance will result only in evil, in something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress.

Sage Sankara not only proved the existence of God on the Vedic perspective but also proved the existence of God rationally by pure reason.

The seeker has to discover a fresh by dropping all the egocentric dualistic knowledge to realize’ what is truth’ and ‘what is not truth’ and accept only the truth and mentally drop the untruth. Thus, constant reflection on the subject is very much necessary in pursuit of truth. ~ Santthosh Kumaar