Vedanta is a bold
philosophy indeed
One should possess a sharp, pure and subtle intellect
to understand it and put it into practice.
One should be equipped with
the four means of salvation before he begins his study. He should sit
under the feet of a realised sage, Brahma Srotri, Brahmanishtha. Then
alone he can understand the depths of Vedanta.
How
does Vedanta begin?
It starts with the sublime enquiry of 'Who am I'?
It rejects all these worthless empirical experiences ruthlessly, just as
you reject the skin, seeds and fibres of fruits. It negates the five sheaths, three bodies and the three states and helps you to take the
essence of Atman, to churn out the butter of Atman, just as you take the
essence from the fruits or the pulp from the Munja grass.
Mark how
Vyasa begins his aphorisms or Sutras 'Athato Brahmajijnasa' Now, then,
an enquiry into Brahman. 'Janmadyasya Yataha' Brahman is that from which
this world has come out, in which it lives and into which it is
involved during Pralaya. What a bold starting!
This is the result of his
infinite spiritual experience and Self-realisation. The whole knowledge
is in the palm of his hand like an Amalaka fruit. There is no groping
in the dark for him. There are no hypotheses, presuppositions, doubts,
major and minor frenzies, unnecessary arguments, cavilling and wrangling
for him.
May you all realise the import of
Vedanta, the identity of the individual soul (Atman) with the Supreme Soul (Brahman)! May
you all realise the goal of Vedanta, the summum bonum of existence, the
Self-realisation or attainment of knowledge of the Self and thus cross
this terrible ocean of Samsara! May you all live in the Atman for ever!