What is the use of studying philosophy and scriptures? What is the use of worshiping Gods and Gurus? What is the use of and performing religious rituals? What the use is of observing silence? What is the use of singing devotional hymns?+

Sage Sankara says:~ One alone exists, and the rest is all superimposition on that One, due to ignorance

The seeker of truth should not become attached to words as being in perfect conformity with meaning because Truth is not in the letters.

The words and their discrimination bind one to the duality; meaning stands alone and is a guide to non-dual awareness. Meaning is attained by much learning, and much learning is attained by becoming conversant with meaning and not with words; therefore, seekers of truth have to avoid the sticklers for particular words.

What is the use of studying philosophy and scriptures?

What is the use of worshiping Gods and Gurus?

What is the use of and performing religious rituals?

What the use is of observing silence?

What is the use of singing devotional hymns?

Advaitic Wisdom will not dawn, without realizing the world in which you exist is created out of single clay. That single clay is the consciousness. The knowledge of the single clay leads to Oneness. Oneness means unity in diversity.

Remember:~

We are completely unaware of the Self. Do not identify the Self as yourself. Remember, yourself is the ego and the real Self is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Error in your understanding will not yield the truth you are seeking.

The path of wisdom is divided into three parts:~

First: Hearing the truth--that the consciousness is the only reality and that the universe along with you is merely an illusion or Maya.

Second: Reasoning upon these words of wisdom of Sage Sankara from all points of view.

Third: Giving up all further argumentation and realizing the truth. This realization comes from being certain that consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

Sage Sankara said:~ Talk as much philosophy as you like, worship as many Gods as you please, observe ceremonies, and sing devotional hymns, but liberation will never come, even after a hundred eons, without realizing the Oneness.

There are three kinds of aspirants: ~

1. The ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices follow the religion.

2. Middling intellect who desire peace and well-being follow yogic path or meditation.

3. The more advanced seeker who seeks to know the ultimate truth follows the Atmaimc path. The Atmic path with its emphasis on the Advaitic wisdom is meant for those who wish to go beyond form, time, and space.

Only through deeper self-search do beginners and intermediates gradually become aware ‘what is what’. Only after they have realized the fact that the ‘Self’ is not ‘I’ but the ‘Self’ is the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness, are they ready for the inner journey towards reality, which is beyond the form, time and space.

Upanishad:~ They alone in this world are endowed with the highest wisdom who are firm in their conviction of the sameness and birthlessness of Atman. The ordinary man does not understand their way. (Chapter IV — Alatasanti Prakarana 95-P-188 in Upanishads by Nikilanada)

If you are seeking truth you have to realize the ‘Self’ is not you but the ‘Self’ is the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness.

Sage Sankara says the world is an illusion, it includes birth, life, and death, which happens within the world. Thus, the seeker's main aim is to mentally trace the formless substance of the illusion, which is also the witness of the illusion.

Sage Sankara, 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.

Thus, it proves that religion is not the means to Self’-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. Because Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is universal knowledge meant for humanity. Self’-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana does not belong to any religion. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar