An excerpt from Rajaji's version
Jaldhar H. Vyas
jaldhar at BRAINCELLS.COM
Mon Jan 5 12:39:33 CST 1998
On Mon, 29 Dec 1997, Chandran, Nanda (NBC) wrote:
> I'm reading (for the n th time!) this translation of the Upanishads by
> Rajagopalachari. Rajaji works hard at making the fundamentals clear and
> displays tremendous insight in his work. Here is a brief excerpt from his
> explanations on the Katha Upanishad :
>
Question: Was Rajagopalachari even a Smarta? I thought South Indian
Brahmans with names ending in acharya were Shrivaishnavas?
> "Merely to know is not enough to escape from the tangle of illusion. Faith
> and discipline of life are necessary. This illusion arises not so much from
> ignorance as from attachments. Enlightment comes with detachment not with
> learning.
> This is the main teaching to which all the schools of Hindu
> philosophy ultimately revert to and on which they lay the greatest emphasis.
> The discipline and meditation that serve to help the Soul to detach itself
> from the things or the world is what is called Yoga."
>
I think it is a stretch to say _all_ Hindu schools believe this but
certainly Advaita Vedanta does. However Shankaacharya does not think
meditation is of any use for attaining moksha. At best, like rituals, it
is a preparation for jnana.
--
Jaldhar H. Vyas <jaldhar at braincells.com>
More information about the Advaita-l mailing list