Guest guest Report post Posted June 9, 2003 namasthe, I've a question on Sastra vAsana - the attachment to studying scriptures. In jIvan mukthi vivEka, Acharya says that it is not possible to study all the Sastras and the more we learn, it becomes only a burden. He gives examples of Rishi durvAsA and others who want to gain knowledge in more and more fields but are made to know that this gaining of knowledge in various domains only becomes a burden and will not help in realizing the brahman. Acharya says that one who aims at realizing brahman should remove this SAstra vAsanA completely. But simulataneously, many Acharyas preach that learning should be continuous and should go on until the last moment as any kind of knowledge gained will not go unused. They as well preach that if the knowledge gained in this janma goes unused, it will certainly be useful in the forth coming janmas. Both these seem to be contradictory. When and how does one come to the conclusion that one is done with his studying the SAstras. Though one is in the path of realizing brahman, how long should he be studying SAstras and when does he put an end to it ? namasthe Prasad __________ Get advanced SPAM filtering on Webmail or POP Mail ... Get Lycos Mail! http://login.mail.lycos.com/r/referral?aid=27005 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted June 9, 2003 advaitin, "Prasad Balasubramanian" <besprasad@l...> wrote: > namasthe, > > I've a question on Sastra vAsana - the > attachment to studying scriptures. > > In jIvan mukthi vivEka, Acharya says that > it is not possible to study all the Sastras > and the more we learn, it becomes only a burden. Namaste, I agree, I have read thousands of books etc, now I just reduce things to simple statements, even if they do sound a little glib sometimes. It such a relief to carrying around all that avidya in my mind......ONS...Tony/ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted June 9, 2003 advaitin, "Tony O'Clery" <aoclery> wrote: > advaitin, "Prasad Balasubramanian" > <besprasad@l...> wrote: > > namasthe, > > > > I've a question on Sastra vAsana - the > > attachment to studying scriptures. > > > > In jIvan mukthi vivEka, Acharya says that > > it is not possible to study all the Sastras > > and the more we learn, it becomes only a burden. > > Namaste, > > I agree, I have read thousands of books etc, Namaste, A classic example of this occurred dramatically just about a century ago, in the case of Kavyakantha Vasistha Ganapati Muni - one of the foremost shastraic scholars and tapasvins - when he met Sri Ramana. With one glance and one definition of the word 'tapas' (in response to his question), Ganapati Muni surrendered and prostrated himself at the feet of Ramana, and honored him with the name of Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi. Vivekachudamani, verses 271-278, deal with the subject of vasanas; but the translations do not reflect their depth, unless elucidated by a sage like Sw. Chandrasekhara Bharati. His commentary is now on-line at: http://www.srisharada.com/vivekachudamani.htm Unfortunately, it is still not complete, and this particular set of verses is yet to be transcribed. Regards, Sunder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest guest Report post Posted June 10, 2003 Shastras (Sacred scriptures) and the axioms contained in them such as "Aham Brahamasmi" and that Brahman is Sat-Chit-Ananda can only be understood fully after clear Self Recognition. However, even before that, if you grasp the essence of the scriptures, which is actually quite simple, the desire to acquire book knowledge may diminish. All knowledge, including vedic knowledge, etc. although useful to a point, is thrown away before Self Realization. Scriptures no matter how profound and beautiful in the way they point, must fall silent before the Self. The state of true detachment is not indifference to action but indifference to the agency of action. That is what is meant when the scriptures say, devote all actions to the Lord, in whatever way one conceives Her/Him. All knowledge and powers belong to the domain of the mind. If one becomes indifferent to the mind itself, how can any knowledge, including shastric knowledge, be helpful at all? However, you cannot give up shastric knowledge by will. Only a Self Realized sage can say that it is all the same, and that all knowledge falls short of Self Realization. The instrument of acquiring knowledge, shastric or otherwise is only the mind. So, if one offers the mind as food for the Lord, that's it. After that one may study and enjoy shastras or one may engage in other pursuits that come naturally. To a person who is ready to give up shastras or is indifferent to such knowledge, the question cannot arise should I study shastras or not. There is no confusion at all. As long as there is confusion, one should probably study shastras and meditate on the words and instructions of the Guru that You are the Self. Sri Ramana used to say that there is no point in gaining other knowledge when one does not have Self-Knowledge. After Self-Knowledge, one sees that there is really no other knowledge worth chasing after. Love to all Harsha Prasad Balasubramanian wrote: > namasthe, > > I've a question on Sastra vAsana - the > attachment to studying scriptures. > > In jIvan mukthi vivEka, Acharya says that > it is not possible to study all the Sastras > and the more we learn, it becomes only a burden. > He gives examples of Rishi durvAsA and others who want to > gain knowledge in more and more > fields but are made to know that this gaining > of knowledge in various domains only becomes a burden > and will not help in realizing the brahman. > Acharya says that one who aims at realizing brahman > should remove this SAstra vAsanA completely. > > But simulataneously, many Acharyas preach > that learning should be continuous and > should go on until the last moment as > any kind of knowledge gained will not go > unused. They as well preach that if the > knowledge gained in this janma goes unused, > it will certainly be useful in the forth > coming janmas. > > Both these seem to be contradictory. When > and how does one come to the conclusion that > one is done with his studying the SAstras. > Though one is in the path of realizing brahman, > how long should he be studying SAstras and when > does he put an end to it ? > > namasthe > Prasad > Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
