God says in the Vedas -
Uttiṣṭhata jāgrata prāpya varānnibodhata -
Arise, awake, and attain your supreme goal. No life form is more important than the one I have given you. Beyond human birth lies only one further attainment: God realisation. So, do not fall - only rise higher -
udyānaṃ te puruṣa nāvayānaṃ -
The Vedas say, "O Human beings! Your aim must only be to rise upwards - to achieve the ultimate goal of God-realization."
How do you attain it?
Approach a God-realized saint and 'nibodhata'. Not just 'bodhata'. That is, mere understanding is not enough. You say, "I have understood everything." That is bodhata. But that alone will not help you attain your goal. What will understanding alone achieve? You know that the sherbet of the world is poisoned - but because it tastes sweet, you continue to drink it. You say, "I’ll deal with the consequences later." No - you will not "deal with it" - instead, you will suffer its consequences.
Therefore, ni-bodhata - make a firm resolve, have unwavering faith in the saint’s teachings and make a firm commitment to follow his instructions. Only then will knowledge become practical and effective.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
The Importance of Spiritual Knowledge - English
God says in the Vedas -
Uttiṣṭhata jāgrata prāpya varānnibodhata -
Arise, awake, and attain your supreme goal. No life form is more important than the one I have given you. Beyond human birth lies only one further attainment: God realisation. So, do not fall - only rise higher -
udyānaṃ te puruṣa nāvayānaṃ -
The Vedas say, "O Human beings! Your aim must only be to rise upwards - to achieve the ultimate goal of God-realization."
How do you attain it?
Approach a God-realized saint and 'nibodhata'. Not just 'bodhata'. That is, mere understanding is not enough. You say, "I have understood everything." That is bodhata. But that alone will not help you attain your goal. What will understanding alone achieve? You know that the sherbet of the world is poisoned - but because it tastes sweet, you continue to drink it. You say, "I’ll deal with the consequences later." No - you will not "deal with it" - instead, you will suffer its consequences.
Therefore, ni-bodhata - make a firm resolve, have unwavering faith in the saint’s teachings and make a firm commitment to follow his instructions. Only then will knowledge become practical and effective.
Recommended books by Jagadguru Shri Kripalu Ji Maharaj related to this topic:
The Importance of Spiritual Knowledge - English
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