Discussion on what constitutes knowledge and the relevance of Darwin's Theory.

[Guest guest]

Dear Bhagavatas,

 

(In particular Sri. Krishna Susurla and Sri. Rajaram, and Sri. Mani)

 

To an aspirant of mosksa, evolution is irrelevant! The reasons are

as follows. Please read thoroughly (a cursory read will not

give the essence of the post.)

 

1. The term evolution implies a beginning by default, this contradicts

the fundamental axiom of Vedanta that the process of creation and

dissolution is beginningless and without end. These two concepts are

mutually exclusive; thus, one cannot be a staunch Vis’istAdvaitan and also

a staunch supporter of the theory of evolution.

 

2. One can argue that two concepts are not mutually exclusive, if the term

evolution is used in reference to a particular cycle of creation and

dissolution. This argument is ubtanable! Creation is the play of Is’vara,

who has free will; there is no stipulation that Is’vara has to follow the

order outlined by the theory of evolution. Sruti only gives a general

outline of creation and only this is eternal, in all other respects creation

can vary from cycle to cycle according to Is’vara’s sankalpa. Thus, once

again the two alternatives are mutually exclusive; one cannot be a staunch

Vis’istAdvaitan and also a staunch supporter of the theory of evolution.

 

Note the following:

 

1. One should learn to differentiate between finite reality and eternal

reality. All that is created falls into the former category.

dharmabhUta-jNAna is eternal; thus, when it is fully expanded the jiva

comprehends in perfection all that is eternal. The previous post explained

how a mukta is omniscient because by using its will, it can modify the

dharmabhUta-jNAna to take on any one of the infinitely many states

consisting of BrahmajNAna plus some other extraneous knowledge (knowledge of

that which is not eternal.)

 

2. A Baddha jivAtman, who aspires for moksha, should cultivate BrahmajNAna,

for that alone will help to develop the conviction required for

unconditional surrender to Brahman. Extraneous (mundane) knowledge is only

helpful in the sense that it aids in the cultivation of BrahmajNAna.

 

Learning to differentiate between the mundane and the spiritual is essential

for progress; this is the reason I side tracked from the posts on Vis’

istAdvaiata for the last week. I hope that the person who initially posed

the question about the status of Darwin’s Theory reads these posts carefully

and contemplates on this matter and is not side tracked by the wild

conjectures (that are contradictory

to Vis’istAdvaita Vedanta) contained in many of the posts.

 

*****Nature of reality is independent of everything and is immutable (i.e,

it does not change over time.) The nature of reality has been expounded upon

by those who are capable of it. As an ardent (one cannot be an ardent

seeker until one develops a conviction) seeker of the truth about the nature

of reality, the goal in life is to confirm

this truth via experience and not to define or reinterpret the exposition,

or even worse go directly to scripture (doubting the exposition.)*****

 

Adiyen,

Venkat