Cosmic Vision Alone Reveals The Truth

True realisation takes place on knowing and seeing God in his transcendental form. It is a metaphysical experience and it is accessible to all human beings. It is upon this trans-sensuous experience that we become truly religious. Krishna says in the Bhagwad Gita, “Neither by study of the vedas nor by austere penance, nor by charity , nor even by rituals can I be seen in my transcendental form, Arjuna.“

In an earlier verse, Krishna tells Arjuna that para vidya or knowledge of the spirit can be imparted by a wise seer and an illumined soul alone (4.34), who does not stuff your mind with prolific descriptions of atman and Parmatman, but one who takes you beyond the different paths of realisation. Mere reading and recitation of religious texts and scriptures does not make one learned, nor does it help in attaining salvation.

Adi Shankaracharya in the `Vivekchudamani' says: “Without taking the medicine, by just repeating the name of the medicine, no malady can be cured.Likewise, without practical perception and experience, by merely repeating words, no one can attain salvation.“ Both the Katha Upanishad and Mundaka Upanishad say, “The Supreme Brahmn cannot be attained just by reading scriptures and listening to religious discourses. God can neither be attained through mind nor logic but is accessible to those who have a strong craving to know and unravel the supreme secret and essence of God.“

Sufi saint Bulleshah asked, “One may have read many scriptures and may have a large collection of books but if there is gloom in the heart, without grace of murshid (guru), how can supreme bliss and fulfil ment be possible?“ The Gurbani says one should not limit oneself to reading only but should also strive to know and attain Him. Even the 18 puranas and four vedas have not been able to unravel the mystery of God. Had not Ravana, the demon king, mastered the puranas and the vedas?
Let's rise above dogmas and rituals to attain salvation. Reading scriptures, recitation of mantras and hymns and singing of devotional songs alone cannot make us `religious'. In the bargain, we only end up being arrogant and grow disdainful of others.

No doubt, scriptures give us a vivid account of the glory and splendour of the nature of the Supreme.

However, the immanence and transcendence of Brahmn as avatars for instance cannot be understood by mere intellect and logic. This is comprehensible only to those who have known and seen His cosmic vision. The many incarnations and manifestations of divine power are classified as nimit avtaars and nitya avtaars. Every nimit avtaar had a definite purpose. Nitya avtaars in the form of saints and sages have always remained to provide direction for a meaningful life.

For most of us, everyday life is replete with trials and tribulations of varying degrees and magnitude. While the thoughtful among us seek to know the meaning and purpose of life, the ignorant ones just grumble and talk of a `cruel' God whenever in distress.Human life has a higher and nobler purpose and the destiny of a human being is to move higher up in the cosmic order to reach perfection and to realise permanent and supreme bliss in the realm of God. Religious books themselves exhort human beings to know and realise the real aim of their life and not just confine themselves to ritualistic reading and recitation of scriptures.