Sage Sankara was Brahma Gnani of universal order.+

Wheter Sage Sankara was a Jagadguru or a Brahma Gnani.

Sage Sankara’s wisdom has nothing to do with orthodox belief systems. Sage Sankara is the only sage who has final authority on the Advaitic truth. The Advaitic truth is rational truth and scientific truth without dogma.

Sage Sankara’s wisdom has nothing to do with the orthodox belief systems. Some philosophers in the past dissented from this interpretation of the Vedanta philosophy, holding that the incarnated Souls were separate from the Divine Essence and only finally merged with it after the cycles of birth.

All these theoretical philosophies are based on the imagination based on the false ‘Self’ (ego or you) within the false experience (waking).

Orthodox people argue that Sage Sankara had a Guru. Sage Sankara himself was a Guru.

Yes, for orthodox people, he was JagadGuru, but for seekers of truth, he was a Brahma Gnani of universal order. Traditionally, religious people are so entangled in orthodox religiosity that it is very difficult for them to free themselves from narrow-minded prejudices, dogmas, and superstitions.

These educated orthodox people are more ignorant than the illiterate. They strongly stuck to their inherited orthodox baggage meant for the ignorant populace.

Even though their own sage has said that orthodoxy is meant for the ignorant populace, they ignore it, and they are like the blind led by another blind, follow the inherited blind belief.

Even swami Vivekananda was Ramakrishna Paramahansa's disciple. Swami Vivekananda himself said: ~ “You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, and none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own Soul.”

There are two kinds of audiences - the ordinary ones who desire the transitory heaven and other pleasures obtained as a result of ritual sacrifices, and the most advanced seeker who seeks to know the ultimate truth or Brahman.

The Guru and Guru paramparas are meant for the first audience, to help lead its followers along the way. However, there is no need to follow any parampara and follow any Guru those who wish to realize the truth which is beyond the form, time, and space.

We should not mix religion with spirituality because religion is based on the ego and spirituality is based on the Soul.

Religion is concerned with its paramparas, not truth, whereas Spirituality is concerned only with the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space. Religion is not Spirituality.

Sage Sankara: ~ "Though I wear these robes of a Sanyasin, it is only for the sake of bread" (Select Works of Sage Sankara, also his commentary on Brihad)

Thus, the above passage proves that all those who are wearing the sanyasin robes are wearing it for the sake of bread that belongs to the religion; they have nothing to do with the Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. There is no need to criticize and condemn the Gurus, yogis, and swamis because they are needed for the welfare of ignorant masses in the dualistic world.

So he wore a Guru's robe only for the sake of the ignorant. So he was identified as Guru with parampara by religious people. For the truth seekers, Sage Sankara is a Brahma Gnani.

Sage Sankara clearly indicates in Viveka Chudamani (2) that the Knower of the Atman (A Gnani) "bears no outward mark of a holy man" (Stanza 539).

When Sage Sankara says, the Knower of the Atman (A Gnani) "bears no outward mark of a holy man.

Thus, it proves that the religious Gurus and yogis are not Gnanis because they identified themselves as holy people.

On the Advaitic perspective, A Gnani never identifies himself as a Guru or a Yogi or someone's disciple. The one who accepts himself as a Guru or someone’s disciple is not a Gnani.

The seekers of truth need not identify Sage Sankara as a holy man or JagadGuru but as a Brahma Gnani.

Ashtavakra Samhita: ~ "The man of knowledge (Gnani), though living like an ordinary man, is contrary to him and only those like him understand his state.

All the Guru Parampara is for the religious people. There is no need for a Guru who wants to tread the path of wisdom.

The Guru is useless so long as the ultimate truth is unknown, and the Guru is equally useless when the ultimate truth or Brahman has already been known.

A Guru is needed in religious and the yogic path. There is no need for a Guru to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.: ~ Santthosh Kumaar

Ish Upanishads says:- The time you spend there is wasted because if you were not there, you could have spent that time moving forward towards Self-knowledge, which is your goal.+

Ish Upanishad:~ Those people who have neglected the attainment of Self-knowledge and have thus committed suicide.

Ish Upanishads says:- Vidya and Avidya both are hindrances to Self-knowledge, but Vidya is even worse than Avidya. The word Vidya is used here in a special sense; here, it means worshipping gods and goddesses. By worshipping gods and goddesses, you will go after death to the world of gods and goddesses. But will that help you? The time you spend there is wasted because if you were not there, you could have spent that time moving forward towards Self-knowledge, which is your goal. In the world of gods and goddesses, you cannot do that, and thus you go deeper and deeper into darkness.

Avidya is Karma and, therefore, a hindrance. You perform Avidya - i.e., you perform Agnihotra and other sacrifices. This is a roundabout way of purifying the mind, and it is also groping in the dark. But it may not have as heavy a toll on your time and energy as the other.

Therefore, self-realization is necessary in order to realize the ultimate truth or god. Self-realization is real God realization.

People are ignorant, and they are unaware of the reality of their true existence. Man and his experience of the universe are simply a mirage created out of consciousness. Consciousness is the real Self, the real Atman, is the reality.

That is why in Mundaka Upanishad indicates: - The rituals and the sacrifices described in the Vedas deal with lower knowledge. The sages ignored these rituals and went in search of higher knowledge. ... Such rituals are unsafe rafts for crossing The sea of samsara, of birth and death. Doomed to shipwreck are those who try to cross the sea of samsara on these poor rafts. Ignorant of their own ignorance, yet wise In their own esteem, these deluded men Proud of their vain learning, go round and round Like the blind led by the blind.

Scriptural knowledge is conceptual divisions invented by philosophers by their excessive analysis. all these concepts are never-ending. They create more confusion. Fortunate is the one who does not lose himself in the labyrinths of philosophy but goes straight to the source from which the universe rises and subsides.

The direct path to the truth is the source from which the 'I' arises. Thus, the source is the Soul, the Self. The Soul or Atman is the real Self.

Ataman itself is Brahman. Thus, it is necessary to view the worldview on the base of the Atman, which is the true Self,

and formless substance and witness of the experience of diversity. Thus, with deeper inquiry, analysis, and reasoning on the true base, one can acquire self–knowledge in lesser time and effort.

The unity in diversity is possible only through Self-knowledge, not by mastering the scriptural knowledge.

One has to bifurcate the physicalized Adavaita [religious add-ons], which is meant for the mass mindset, who are incapable of verifying their inherited beliefs. But for the seekers of truth, to get the pure essence of non-duality, which is based on the invisible Soul.

The path of inquiry, analysis, and reasoning on the true base leads one towards the non-dual destination. There is a need to rectify the seeking base from ego base to soul base to understand, assimilate and realize the nondual truth. This self–inquiry is not the critical study of the scriptures.

Katha Upanishad:~ This Ataman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one, Ataman reveals its own form. (Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20)

Mundaka Upanishad:- This Ataman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Ataman—by him alone is Ataman attained. It is Ataman that reveals to the seeker its true nature. [ 3 –page-70]

The scriptures indicate that Ataman is Brahman, and Brahman is the ultimate truth. Therefore the Soul, which is in the form of consciousness, is ultimate truth.

Remember:~

Self-Realization is the direct realization of the ultimate truth or real god, in contrast with traditional paths, which are indirect. And the other paths cannot lead to the ultimate destination because they are based on the false self, which they hold as real self and false experience as reality.

Until and unless one overcomes physical shackle it is impossible to understand and assimilate the nondual truth, which is beyond the physical existence or the universe. Consciousness itself is lord of itself though not of the universe. And having nothing it has all.

Sage Gaudapada quotes from the Upanishads: "There's no plurality here"; "The Lord [Atman] through his powers appears to be many"; "those who are attached to creation or production or origination go to utter darkness"; "the unborn is never reborn, for who can produce him [Atman]?”

The one who discriminates between the Real and the unreal, whose focus of attention is turned away from the illusory physical existence, who possesses calmness, and who is longing for freedom from experiencing the illusion as reality, is alone considered qualified to take the path of reason.

Enumerated discrimination between the Real and the unreal yearning for freedom. A firm conviction to the effect that the Soul, which is in the form of consciousness, is real and the mind, which is in the form of the universe, is unreal, is designated as discrimination between the Real and the unreal. :~Santthosh Kumaar

Upanishad itself says: sarvam khalvidam brahma - All this (universe) is verily Brahman.+

Preaching and teaching is not wisdom, but by very careful reasoning, the seeker has to determine the nature of reality. Thinking in right direction alone helps seekers determine the nature of reality.

The sugar cannot know itself its sweetness. The true self without ignorance is without the experience of duality or illusion. Thus, one has to base on the sugar not on its sweetness. Without the sugar, there is no sweetness. Similarly, without consciousness, the three states cease to exist as reality.

Seeker of truth is in the in the quest of the knowledge of ever being conscious of eternality of one Self, and understanding, assimilating and realizing it inextricably linked to the what constitute bondage and liberation.

Non-attachment for the three states is freedom or liberation from experiencing the illusory birth, life, death, and world as reality. Love for practical life within the practical world is bondage.

By deeper thinking and realizing the self is not the form but self is formless consciousness and mentally shifting the attention from the objectified subject to the formless subject, which is consciousness the inner most self.

By realizing the invisible consciousness is the ultimate truthf, one realizes consciousness alone exists; the three states are merely an illusion created out of consciousness. Thus, the three states are unreal created out of consciousness, which alone is real.

The one who discriminates between the Real and the unreal, whose focus of attention is turned away from the illusory physical existence, who possesses calmness, and who is longing for freedom from experiencing the illusion as reality, is alone considered qualified to take the path of reason.

People who are yearning for spiritual truth will not find it through intellectual speculation and assumption. Intellectual truth is individual truth. Love implies duality, and love is individual feelings within the falsehood.

Love is necessary and valuable in the state of ignorance but it is not the means to acquire wisdom. Love is a religious tool to lead life in practical world. And Religious truth is individual truth and it is not universal truth because the religion is based on individuality.

It becomes difficult for the orthodox cult to accept anything else as truth other than their accepted belief, which they hold as truth. Although all religious followers are participants alike in the spiritual endeavour of the world, overzealous followers of each religion are not prepared to accord equal status to other faiths and assert the superiority of their own.

Thus, universal brotherhood is a total impossibility because it is difficult to accept anything other than their inherited belief system.

Most of the pundits are egoic and they try to snub others who question them. They think they are unquestionable authority. They quote the citation from the scriptuers as proof without verifying the validity. All punditry is a great obstacle in realizing the Advaitic truth expounded by the Sage Sankara and Sage Goudapada.

One finds lots of differences between Adavita preaching and practice. There is need to bifurcate religion, concept of god and scriptures from Adavitic philosophy to assimilate the essence of Adavita.

Sage Sankara says in Brahma Sutras: that Brahman is the cause of the world, whereas in Manduka Upanishad he denies it. This is because he says that at the lower stage of understanding, the former teaching must be given, for people will get frightened as they cannot understand how the world can be without a cause, but to those in a higher stage, the truth of non-causality can be revealed.

Sage Sankara himself has warned us not to use ambiguous words and to practice semantic analysis in his book "Definition of one's own Self. [" Page 199, v.24 of "Sankara's Selected Works]

Sage Sankara founded his Advaita Vedanta either on reason independent of sruti or on sruti confirmed by reason." Sage Sankara's commentary on the Manduka Upanishad, II, 1: This [the unreality of duality] is borne out by the Srutis ... But it is possible also to show the unreality of the object world even from pure reasoning, and this second chapter is undertaken for that purpose.

Sage Sankara himself had often said that his philosophy was based on Sruti, or revealed scripture. This may be because Sage Sankara addressed the ordinary man, who finds security in the idea of causality and thus in the idea of God—and Revelation is indispensable to prove the latter. He believed that those of superior intelligence have no need of this idea of divine causality and can therefore dispense with Sruti and arrive at the truth of Non-Dualism by pure reason.

Nonduality does not need the support of any Scripture or Revelation like the Veda. For it is based not upon the varying theological fancies, which are as numerous as the sands of the sea, but upon reason, the common heritage of all mankind, irrespective of colour or creed or clime.

When Upanishad itself says: sarvam khalvidam brahma - All this (universe) is verily Brahman. By following back all of the relative appearances in the world, we eventually return to that from which it is all manifest – the non-dual reality [ Chandogya Upanishad].

Then it is no use going roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of mind. By tracing the source of the mind or universe one will be able to realize the Brahman.

Thus, self-knowledge is meant only for those who have an intense urge and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing with their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth. Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own selves to get the firm conviction.

Sage Gaudapada says:- the merciful Veda teaches karma and upaasana to people of lower and middling intellect, while jnana is taught to those of higher intellect.

So they clearly indicate rituals and theories are not meant for those who are searching for higher knowledge or wisdom.

All the orthodox Advaitins indulge and immerse themselves in a ritualistic-oriented lifestyle and preach theoretical philosophies, which are obstacles in realizing the Advaitic truth. Many chose these orthodox scholars as their gurus. But these gurus are good to learn the conceptual Advaita meant for those orthodox who believe their conduct-oriented lifestyle leads to liberation. But those who are seeking truth have to do their own homework to acquire Self-knowledge. :~ Santthosh Kumaar

The Soul, the. Self has neither beginning nor ending.+

Sage Sankara declares the Atman is Brahman. That is the Soul, which is in the form of consciousness and is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. The ultimate truth itself is worthy of Godhood

Since God is eternal and infinite, God comprises the only truth. The goal of the Vedic religion or Santana Dharma is to realize that consciousness (Atman) is actually nothing but Brahman or God in truth.

The Vedic pantheon of Gods is said, in the Vedas and Upanishads, to be the only higher manifestations of consciousness.

For this reason: ~ “ekam sat" (all is one), and all is Brahman or God in truth.

Rig Veda: ~ 'Prajnanam Brahma'- Consciousness is the ultimate reality or Brahman or God in truth.

God in truth is the Atman, the Self. Atman is present in the form of consciousness.

Do not accept any other God other than Atman, and do not worship other than Atman. Let these words be inscribed in your subconscious.

Nothing is real but God. Nothing matters but love for God in truth. God in truth is everywhere and in everything. 

The Soul, the. Self is above these, has neither beginning nor ending. A visible object has a beginning and an ending. Since Atman, which is in the form of consciousness is invisible to the physical eye; Atman or consciousness is without beginning and ending. Atman is always constant. Just as space is homogeneous everywhere, so is the Atman the same everywhere.

By becoming more and more intellectual, one becomes more and more intoxicated by individuality. Intellectuality is limited to duality. In the realm of truth, intellectuality is replaced by non-dual wisdom.

There is nothing that exists other than formless, nondual existence. Therefore, there is no individual who becomes sane or insane. There is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. Everything is one, that is, unity in diversity.

The curiosity urge cannot be imposed on others. It has to sprout within. One need not become a holy Shepard because the holy Shepard is within to guide every seeker.

Until one is aiming to be a master, Guru or teacher, he will never reach his destination. One has to share his knowledge with the fellow seeker not to make them his followers but only direct them if they are interested to travel beyond form, time, and space.

It is foolish to impose our ideas on others because everyone is not at the same level of understanding. Everyone's inner work is on.

When they are ripe enough, they will understand, assimilate, and realize on their own. If they are ready and sharp enough, they will grasp it instantly, and they will reach their destination with lesser time and effort. :~Santthosh Kumaar

Swami Vivekananda: ~ “Advaita encompasses everything. Since Advaita requires heavy-duty intellectualism, it had to be progressively simplified.+

Swami Vivekananda: ~ “Advaita encompasses everything. Since Advaita requires heavy-duty intellectualism, it had to be progressively simplified. (From 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda)

Humanity has to awaken to the reality of its true existence by realizing the world in which humanity exists is merely an illusion created out of consciousness through Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana frees the Soul, the Self, from the cage of the dualistic illusion.

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.

Swami Vivekananda said:~ "The Vedas teach that the Soul is divine, only held in the bondage of matter; perfection will be reached when this bond will burst, and the word they use for it is, therefore, Mukthi - freedom, freedom from the bonds of imperfection, freedom from death and misery."

The truth is very simple, but it is very difficult to grasp because of ignorance. You have to only realize the world in which you exist is created out of single clay. That single clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, you and your body and the world in which you exist are nothing but consciousness because they are merely an illusion created out of consciousness. Perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is needed.

A Gnani can point at the sky, but the seeing of the star is the seeker's work.

It is necessary to reflect on the same truth again and again till it becomes a reality. One needs to constantly reflect on the subject until he gets a firm conviction of what is what. Words are needed until one gets a firm conviction of ‘what is what’.

People need to read and hear the words of wisdom to think rationally and reflect deeply, and reach the ultimate end.

It takes time for the seeker to gain the perfect understanding of ‘what is truth’ and ‘’what is untruth’. It takes time for the Soul, the Self, to wake up from the sleep of ignorance, and it takes time for one to realize the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

The Soul, the Self is the only Ancient One. Realize the ‘Self’ is not you, but the ‘Self is the Soul. God is not a belief that you worship because the Soul itself is God in truth.

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Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: ~ Brahman (God in truth) is present in the form of the Athma, and it is indeed Athma itself.

It is for every seeker who is seeking truth must first know what God supposed to be in actuality according to Vedas and Upanishads and reject all non-Vedic Gods to realize the Atman is real God.

Thus, it refers to formless and attributeless God, which is the Atman (Soul), the ‘Self’ within the false experience.

Thus, it indicates all the Gods with form and attributes are mere imagination based on the false self. Atman or Soul, the ‘Self’ is God in truth.

Sage Sankara:~ VC- 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 (verses-6)

The liberation cannot be the result of good works, for Sruti itself declares that there is no hope for immortality through wealth. (Verses -7)

Sage Sankara said:~ “Neither by the practice of yoga nor philosophy, nor by good works nor by learning, does liberation come, but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one in no other way. (1) VivekaChudamani v 56, pg 25

There is no need for any practice to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman or God. Perfect understanding and assimilation of ‘what is what’ is very much necessary to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

Sage Sankara: ~ VC- All this universe which through ignorance appears as of diverse forms, is nothing else but Brahman which is free from all the limitations of human thought.

The Soul or Brahman or God cannot be realized through performing ceremonies and rituals; the seeker must understand that whatever Sage Sankara indicated, the seekers have to follow it faithfully, honestly with humility to overcome the ignorance, which is blocking their realization of the ‘Self’.

Do not make your understanding just mechanical; it will then bind you rather than free you. Let all be done with all your heart in it; then you will know that all is an illusion and God is the only Reality. And, unless you have that realization and continual awareness ~ that continual Existence is continually infinite ~ all else is beliefs that are untrue or make no sense. :~Santthosh Kumaar