SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 8 OCTOBER

SIVANANDA DAILY READING FOR 8 OCTOBER
WHAT IS VEDANTA


Om. Vedanta is that bold philosophy which teaches the unity of life
or oneness of consciousness. It is that supreme philosophy which
boldly proclaims, with emphasis and force, that this little jiva
(human being) is identical with the eternal or absolute. It is that
sublime philosophy which elevates the mind at once to magnanimous
heights of Brahmanhood, divine splendour and glory, which makes a man
absolutely fearless, which destroys all barriers that separate man
from man and which brings concord, unruffled peace and harmony to
suffering humanity. It is the only philosophy that can really unite
(on the basis of one common self in all) a Hindu and a Mohammedan, a
Catholic and a Protestant, an Irishman and an Englishman, a Jain and
a Parsee, in a common platform and in the core of their own hearts
also. It is the only philosophy that, when properly understood and
practised, can put a definite stop to world wars and all sorts of
dissensions, splits and skirmishes that exist in nations and
communities.

Vedanta is a magnetic healing balm for the wounded and the afflicted
in the dreadful battlefield of this dire samsara (phenomenal
existence). Vedanta is the divine collyrium which removes the
cataract of ignorance and gives a new, inner eye of intuition or
wisdom. Vedanta is the direct, royal road to the domain of felicity;
it is the supreme abode of immortality and eternal bliss. It is a
panacea, a 'cure.all' for those who are being burned by the three
fires and the five afflictions of this miserable mundane existence.
It is the Himalayan herb that can bring immediate life to a dying
man. It lifts a man, at once, to the status of Emperor of emperors,
King of kings . even though he has nothing to eat; even though he
is clad in rags.

Vedanta gives real spiritual strength; it inspires, renovates,
vivifies, invigorates and energises. It eradicates ignorance . the
root cause for human sufferings. It puts a stop to the never ending
wheel of birth and death and confers immortality, infinite knowledge
and bliss. It gives hope to the hopeless, power to the powerless,
vigour to the vigourless and joy to the joyless.

Vedanta is the only universal, eternal religion. Vedanta means 'end
of the vedas' or the essence of the teaching of the srutis
(scriptures).