Introductory Remarksm on Vedic Lessons
dask...@gmail.com
Before I start sending the lessons on Vedic Scriptures I thought it is
better to set the mood of learning. Please read this preface and get
ready for the nectarean knowledge which flows from our shastras.
PROCESS FOR ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE
There are three possible ways for gaining knowledge:
(i) Pratyaksha (empirical sensual perception)
(ii) Anumana (theories based on evidence)
(iii) Shabda (Sound emanating from a bonafide authority).
(I) PRATYAKSHA: This is the knowledge obtained by direct perception.
Majority of scientific experiments and proofs are based on this method.
"Seeing is believing" is a famous dictum. But is it true? Is sun just a
plate of half-a-meter diameter? Can we drink the water (mirage) we see
in the desert with our eyes? Why do we get illusioned that a stick is
broken when we insert half of it into water (refraction) ? Why do our
faces look like that of a ghost in a concave mirror ?[Is seeing
believing(?!)] . When one seeks knowledge about the Truth, the first
step is to understand that direct perception by our senses is not a
very reliable method because the sense organs themselves have only a
limited range. We cannot acquire ABSOLUTE knowledge through the
material senses and mind, and any knowledge we derive will be only
RELATIVE. The very fact that the facts and theories in Science are
changed, updated and modified everyday is a proof that we are attaining
higher and higher relative truths by the pursuit of our scientific
research. Absolute Truth is fixed. It never changes.
(II) ANUMANA: This is process of inference, which is nothing but
hypothesizing on the knowledge acquired by direct perception . ("It may
have been like this, or perhaps it was like this"). Hypothesizing on
the knowledge acquired by direct perception is also questionable. Also,
Anumana cannot independently lead to perfect knowledge, even if it is
based on evidence, because objects beyond material nature cannot be
known experimentally. Mechanistic science bluntly reduces everything to
atoms and molecules and rejects anything which does not fall in its
scale of observation. The famous medical field of Micro-biology was
non-existent until Antony Von Lewenhoek in 16th century discovered
lenses which could detect microbes. Similarly, the state-of-art of
present day science is that we have no instruments to detect
anti-matter.
(III) SHABDA: The Vedas assert that objects beyond material nature
cannot be known experimentally. These objects are therefore called
ACHINTYA (inconceivable). That which is ACHINTYA cannot be known by
speculation or by argument but only by SHABDA, the process of hearing
from Vedic literature. This method is considered more reliable than
perception or inference because it conveys knowledge free of all
defects. It is only in this way that the deepest truths will be
revealed. One should hear perfect knowledge from all-perfect person God
himself directly (as Arjuna did), or one should hear perfect knowledge
from an authority (Acharya or his representative) Thus, the process of
"shabda" or hearing from a bonafide authority is the most reliable and
definite way of obtaining knowledge of the truth. In other words, if a
person can accept information given by an authority he does not have to
take the trouble to research independently. Dont we accept so many
things even in material life without questioning - beacuse they come
from authority. The term "authority" refers not to a dictator but to a
deliverer of primary knowledge. Thus acceptance of genuine spiritual
authority is the way to attain true knowledge and bliss.
Our Acharyas and sages have already done research since time immemorial
and have reached at some conclusions which are authoritative.
If we follow this system of acquiring spiritual knowledge then we can
gain mximum without wasting precious time.
Of course this does not mean that we should not enquire? In fact the
most important mantra of vedic scriptures is "athato brahma jignasa"
(let there be enquiry about the absolute truth). The only caution is
that this enquiry should be put humbly and submissively and not in a
mood of challenge. That way we can get our doubts cleared. When we
challenge then it is difficult to learn because we are in a receptive
mood.
Wishing you all the best.
Om tat sat.