[Advaita-l] mental effort

[Siva Senani Nori]

Vishyji, praNAm!
You are absolutely right that there is no point in carrying the boat over our heads after crossing the stream. The standard position of the Vedas is indeed the same: the Vedas are not required for a Brahmaj~nAni.
However, the river we are talking about is something exceptional and only those who have crossed it, if they so desire, ought to speak in terms of the boat not being needed. So much so that when a non-Brahmaj~nAni asserts the above, the learned laugh and the ignorant take it as blasphemy. 
In fact even Brahmaj~nAnis do not invite attention to that aspect. For two reasons in my opinion. First, it is most foolish to belittle an instrument, if you expect that the same be used with belief, confidence and respect. And more so, in a country which performs aayudha-poojaa or instrument-worship and viSwakarma-poojaa, worship of the divine master craftsman / architect / sculptor etc. Second, the conduct of the SishTas, or extra-ordinary persons or leaders is the ideal that others try to follow. Thus we see that even those who are accepted as Brahmaj~nAnis by most people in the world had demonstrated the greatest amount of respect possible to the Vedas.
I appeal to you to show more respect to the Vedas.
Urging humility as I do, I hope I do not hurt by saying the above. 
Regards
Senani


----- Original Message ----
> From: Vishy <vishy1962 at yahoo.com>
> To: A discussion group for Advaita Vedanta <advaita-l at lists.advaita-vedanta.org>
> Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 11:24:05 AM
> Subject: Re: [Advaita-l] mental effort
> 
> Dear Shri Vyasji
>  
> Pranams
>  
> I am certainly not against scriptures or books. After all they are the boat(s) 
> that help you to cross over the river of ignorence. Let us be thankful to the 
> boat for helping us to cross, but after crossing the river, there is no point in 
> carrying over our heads for the sake of gratitude. 
>  
> About the experience....
> One might read 100 books  to know that " sugar is sweet". But it would
> remain just a knowledge unless he himself tastes it. Otherwise " sweet" would 
> remain just
> anothet word in his mind. yes . he become " Jnani'. Again he can teach 100 
> others about taste of sugar even without realizing what the word ' sweet' really 
> means. Than tose 100 would again become literate/ knowledgable. Atleat the 
> person  who had tasted  (Yogi) can attempt others too to taste.... even without 
> knwing the word ' sweet' 
>  
> Correct me, if I am wrong
>  
>  
> Warm regards
>  
> Vishy
>  
>  
>  
>  
>  
> 
> 
> --- On Sun, 27/7/08, Jaldhar H. Vyas wrote:
> 
> From: Jaldhar H. Vyas 
> Subject: Re: [Advaita-l] mental effort
> To: "A discussion group for Advaita Vedanta" 
> 
> Date: Sunday, 27 July, 2008, 8:12 PM
> 
> On Sat, 26 Jul 2008, Vishy wrote:
> 
> >   He always says that there can be many amny teachers who can 
> > just reproduce what has been read from scriptures, but they always 
> > remain mere teachers. But Truth can be understood only from those who 
> > have experienced and they seldom speak.
> 
> Of course Brahman has to be known (not experienced Brahman is experienced 
> by all beings at all times.  Most don't know it.) but why this unnecessary 
> prejudice against books?
> 
> If you read a shastra you are receiving sensory input from a physical 
> organ (namely the eyes) which is converted into thought and understood to 
> a lesser or greater degree based on your intellect.  If you listen to the 
> words of a jnani you are receving sensory input from a physical organ (the 
> ears) which is converted into thought and understood to a lesser or 
> greater degree based on your intellect.  What is the difference?
> 
> It is even more absurd if one objects to "mere teachers" reproducing
> what 
> is read.  Especially considering it is usually done by oral instruction. If 
> Rshi Yajnavalkya is a jnani and his teachings are recorded 
> how is somone telling you that any less a "direct experience" than if
> 
> some contemporary tells you their "direct experience" face to face?
> 
> I think all this "experience" talk is just an excuse for illiteracy.
> 
> -- 
> Jaldhar H. Vyas 
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