Passage 4

Spiritual Knowledge Is The True Knowledge

The concepts “Atma Jnana, Brahma Jnana and Adhyatmika Jnana” mean the same. Atma Jnana alone establishes the principles of unity in diversity and immortality in mortality. The spiritual knowledge deals with the sacred creation and sustenance of the universe and the divine path to attain the Lotus Feet of the Lord. What is the basis for this knowledge? “Nirmala chitta” (A pure Heart) and “Chitta shuddhi” (purity of conscience). It is necessary to perform sacred karmas for developing purity of conscience. These karmas flow from pure life, good behaviour, good qualities and good company. Not only these, the study of sacred texts like the Mahabharata, the Bhagavata, the Ramayana, the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads, Brahma Sutras, etc., is also a sacred karma. Actions of charity, performing sacrificial rites, etc., can also be considered as sacred. A person who has mastered various branches of worldly knowledge may be considered a scholar, a genius, an educated person, etc., but, he cannot be termed as sarvagnya (omniscient). Atma Vidya is only that which teaches us the method by which we can remove sorrow.