#Thread on..

How does knowledge of the world differ from knowledge of the Self?

By the point of view of a book Sukhabodhaba by #Aadishankaracharya !

The Veda has two portions, the ritualistic portion karma kanda, and the knowledge portion – jnana kanda. All ritualistic portions unfold discipline but that is not to be taken as be all and end all of the total understanding.

When rituals are not backed with understanding and knowledge they become futile. There is an essential practice and a secondary practise. The secondary practise like rituals equip one with discipline, faith, patience, detachment...

that are essential for the purification of the mind but the real essential practice is true wisdom. Thus Subodha, one of the disciples of Adi Shankaracharya emphasises the need to focus on true knowledge.

There is knowledge of the world and knowledge of the Self. One acquires the knowledge of the world, but that does not provide true fulfillment. True knowledge is the knowledge of the Self

and happiness exists in the Self. Discover the hidden treasure within... is the invitation of the Master. Everyone's life is filled with scriptures, the true wisdom of life. The outside world may contain reflections of life but they are only reflections.

The moon reflected on the lake is not the real moon; it is called as pratibimba nyaya. Do not be deceived by such reflections. Search for the real moon, search for the real self. Unless you discover the inner truth within yourself do not stop.

Search for the truth. One will realise that in order to discover this truth, one should have enhanced a state of being. By devotion enhance your state of being, but search for the truth within you.

It is not anywhere else but it is within you. One who knows the self is not bound by the false. He will not be deceived by the reflections. In fact, he will rejoice the reflections, and hence he is not bound by it. In fact, the ignorant,

that happen to be the majority, are clouded by the egos. The ego is a substitute self and not the real Self. Hence the ego stands for Edging God Out. As we are not aware of our true state, there is the presence of the ego.

The absence of the true Self creates the presence of the false self. So there is a false center and a true center in each one of us. The ignorant society supports the false center, which is nourished by greed for security, power, position, name, fame...

Thus, we are dominated by society and controlled by society. Due to this we fear society as society validates only this false center. True knowledge is to stop playing with this toy called the ego and renounce it.

By observing oneself, one finds that behind one's ego and behind one's thoughts, the true Self presides and resides. 'Navadware Pure Dehi... the soul exists in this nine gated city called the body says the Bhagavad Gita.

Our true self is covered by the 'imaginary self' who creates the false personality called the ego. One has to notice how our imagination operates in our lives. We have to observe how it covers avaranam and how it projects in our daily lives – vikshepa.

This false personality gives rise to many wrong emotional reactions. One has to observe and dis-identify from such emotions in order to gain true knowledge.

False personality is based on pretence and tries to appease society, which supports the false center in oneself. This false personality always wishes rewards, medals, seeks recognition and is crazy to be on the top. This is driven by vanity and inner foolishness.

This is what Sri Subodha says,

'Devoid of knowledge – jnana viheenaha'. The recognition of this game of delusion – Maya, based on imagination is a part of gaining true knowledge. Reflect on this. A man came to borrow a donkey from his neighbour.

I have given it on loan, said the neighbour. He heard the donkey bray. 'But I hear the donkey bray, said the man. Who are you going to believe, the donkey or me?' retorted the neighbour. So often we become more stupid than the donkey. Drop the ego and gain true knowledge.