The Hindu scriptures provide the means for Self-realisation and moksh. The earlier in life we study them, the better we will understand the transient and unreal nature of this world. True happiness lies in experiencing the Atman directly as the only constant at all times. Never affected or changed by maya, the Silent Witness remains always as undifferentiated Consciousness. Atman is Brahmn everywhere. This is the Truth expounded in all Hindu scriptures, which we can only realise by leaving them behind.
One of the few Hindu texts which warns of attachment to scriptural study is the Shruti Gita. In the Bhagavata Purana’s Skandha 10, the Vedas are given power of speech and address the Supreme with praise and adoration.
However, the Vedas themselves also admit how difficult it is to reach Oneness through cognition: “The shrutis find their ultimate fruit in you. But their conclusion is indirect, negating every assertion about you.”
All the world’s holy texts glorify God, but they cannot help one realise it. In the light of Truth, even words refute themselves. This quote is reminiscent of the Upanishadic teaching of ‘neti-neti’, which means that one simply cannot fathom the Infinite Truth in words – we can only negate what we think it could be. Brahmn is transcendent of any mental concept and can only be realised in divine experience.
We should never become dependent on scriptures because, as per verse 27, “…those who turn away from you are bound down by your words, like animals. Indeed, only those who are devoted to you are purified.” We must understand and reflect on the teachings of scriptures, but remember that they only represent an illusive reminder of Brahmn. If on the other hand, we turn them into our gods and gurus, we could end up blindly following their injunctions without questioning and understanding their purport.
Which spiritual pathway should be followed then? As per the Bhakti tradition of the Bhagavat Purana, our devotion is the highest sadhana we can practise. When we dedicate our lives to God and are willing to sacrifice our ego for it, we will attain moksh. But, this does not mean that Karma Yog and Jnana Yog are lesser means of spiritual practice. They all lead to God and should, therefore, all be followed.
The Shruti Gita affirms an intellectual appreciation of Brahmn through the Vedas, but in helping us to realise God, even scriptures are powerless: “Though you are equally present in all your manifestations, those who profess to know you do not know. You are beyond knowledge and that view is itself defective,” states verse 30. Here we have it in writing: the Oneness of all cannot be realised through words. Even if we think we have reached God, it will still elude us. We must transcend our minds and come to experience the Self within. By reflecting on the Universal Truth, we will realise it everywhere and at all times.
Being human means to be perplexed at times. Of course, we may always turn to sacred texts for guidance on how to develop spiritually and live a meaningful life. But scriptures such as the Shruti Gita stand as a reminder that we cannot and should not stay attached to them — we may otherwise miss the mark of single-pointedly being Brahmn in life and becoming liberated.
-John Hierl
