No Milestones on this road & Role of Guru

[Guest guest]

Namaste

 

To Sri Kathirasanji's question (Vivekachudamani 1&2)

>

> > 2. You claim that Vedantic studies is NOT the sole means to Self-

> knowledge.

> > But tradition says that Knowledge gained thru shruti pramana

alone

> confers

> > mukti.

>

 

I had responded earlier:

>>

It is true that the Shruti Mahavakyas alone confers Mukti. But it

does not mean that a spiritual seeker has to necessarily study

Vivekachudmani or any of Sankara's works or Upanishads in a

systematic way to become Self-realized. Jnanam may dawn by the

words of a Self-realized Jnani (Guru).

 

I know this is going to raise some eyebrows here and there are

schools of thought that say that a systematic study of the

Upanishads is the ONLY way.

 

All I am saying is that following the instructions from a Realized

Guru and practicing the Sadhana that is prescribed by Him is the

means.

>>

 

Here is a interesting conversation that took place at the Ramana

Ashram that clarifies it further:

 

Once a visitor said: "I have been coming to you, Swami, many times,

hoping that something will happen and I shall be changed. So far I do

not see any change in me. I am as I was: a weakling of a man, an

inveterate sinner."

 

And he started weeping piteously.

 

"On this road there are no milestones," replied Bhagavan. "How can

you know which direction you are going? Why don't you do what the

first-class railway passenger does? He tells the guard his

destination, locks the doors and goes to sleep.

 

The rest is done by the guard, If you could trust your guru as much

as you trust the railway guard, it would be quite enough to make you

reach your destination. Your business is to shut the door and windows

and sleep. The guard will wake you up at your destination."

 

-- http://www.sentient.org/maharshi/novdec92.htm