Guest guest Posted February 22, 2002 Report Share Posted February 22, 2002 "ONLY two kinds of people can attain self-knowledge : those who are not encumbered at all with learning, that is to say, whose minds are not over - crowded with thoughts borrowed from others; and those who, after studying all the scriptures and sciences, have come to realise that they know nothing." ********************************************************************** Grantha (Book) always does not mean a Holy Scripture, but often it comes to mean 'Granthi' or a knot. If a man does not read it with an intense desire to know the Truth and renouncing all the vanity, the mere reading of books only gives rise to pedantry, presumptions, egoism, etc., which will be an encumbrance on his mind like so many knots. Para Vidya i.e. higher knowledge is that by which we know God. All else, scriptures, philosophy, logic, grammar, etc. only burden and puzzle the mind. The Granthas (books) are sometimes Granthis (knots). They are good only when they lead to the higher knowledge. ********************************************************************** shri ramakrishna paramahamsa ********************************************************************** MEMBERS, does this mean we should abandon reading 'scriptures' and books altigether ? again, the floor is open for discussion on 'scholarship versus actual sadhana"! love Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2002 Report Share Posted February 22, 2002 - thanks db for your timely response. yes, how could a devotee of 'mataangi' not love books or all the fine arts connected with this goddess of learning ? so, definitely, i know that 'a man of intellect ' (thsat too a journalist and a lawyer) like yourself would definitely use all resources at his command to learn all about goddess and her worship via the medium of books.... also, as our beloved collin has so eloquently pointed out 'trust the primary sources rather than the secondary ones....' but.... the whole point of all this intellectual gymnastics is once a person is self-realized , there are no more 'sources' to consult for the 'source' of divinity (goddess etc) is residing within the inner chamber of the heart.... that is why the real jnanis after attaining brahma-jnana do not practice any rituals or go on pilgrimages or do any of the external forms of worship ... they are always in a state of 'nirvikalpa' samadhi... till we reach that point of realization, of course, we all need to do whatever it takes to realize our goal.... 1)reading 2) doing japa 3) performing austerities 4) going on pilgrimages 5) seeking satsangati....... etc,.... this does not however mean we need to read every translation of the 'bhagvat' gita or the 'devi mahatmiyam' ..... as you have rightly mentioned 'choose' the one that suits your temperament and one that is authentic and reliable.... i am reminded of a 'zen' humor in this context... A student came to the Zen Librarian and said, "I need to see an article in a journal that you do not carry. Can you order it for me?" The Zen Librarian said, "You have not seen the article?No", the student said. "Then you don't need it," the Zen Librarian replied. love -- In , Devi bhakta <devi_bhakta> wrote: > Hi Adi: > > In discussing the relative merits of spiritual > book-knowledge and experiential-knowledge, you asked: > "does this mean we should abandon reading 'scriptures' > and books altigether?" > > Well, I hope I don't come off like a one-trick pony, > but my answer would be the same as it was for the > "Devi Mahatmyam" translation debate: It depends on the > devotee. > > One person might find that lots of scripture and > theology have a bhakti-inducing effect on the mind > (I'd include myself in this category). I feel things > falling into place, understandings and beliefs being > confirmed and strengthened. It becomes a part of me. > > When I sit down to meditate, my mind is not > "over-crowded with thoughts borrowed from others" > (obviously not the words of a bibliophile!) -- it is > clear and relaxed. Reading and meditation are two > seperate experiences, each of which can enhance the > other. > > For me. For other sorts of persons, all of those words > might be a bunch a noise, radio static that merely > distracts them from direct experience of the Divine. > That's OK too, Goddess made all of us different, and > if a certain approach to Her doesn't work -- well, why > waste time pursuing it? Follow a method that *does* > work. > > Ramakrishna speaks of "those who, after studying all > the scriptures and sciences, have come to realise that > they know nothing." Well, it's long been said, in many > cultures, that the wisest persons are distinguished by > their awareness that they are not so wise. Honest > study is almost invariably a humbling experience. > > But gain, it's a choice: If book knowledge makes one > prideful -- or if it jumbles or inflames the mind -- > then it is dangerous to spiritual advancement. If it > enhances devotion and inner peace, it is a boon. > > Aum Maatangyai Namahe > > > > Sports - Coverage of the 2002 Olympic Games > http://sports. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 22, 2002 Report Share Posted February 22, 2002 Ramakrishna speaks of "those who, after studying all the scriptures and sciences, have come to realise that they know nothing." Well, it's long been said, in many cultures, that the wisest persons are distinguished by their awareness that they are not so wise. Honest study is almost invariably a humbling experience. How Beautiful - How Truely Beautiful WE DO WHAT WE DO What you are doing IS the perfect path for you. What you believe is the perfect belief for you. Each person is right where they should be. Love baba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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