Mastering two fields of Knowledge
The human being is like a seed. Just as the seed sprouts into a sapling and grows continuously into a tree, the human has to grow and attain fulfilment. This requires mastering two fields of knowledge. Knowledge of the world, that is to say, knowledge concerning the manifested universe. And knowledge of the other world. The first confers means the for living (jivana-upadhi); the second confers the goal of life (jivana-paramavadhi).
The means for living are the things that can satisfy one’s day-to-day needs. One has to acquire them and store them or acquire the capacity to get them when required. The knowledge of the goal of life involves inquiry into problems like: “For what end should one live?” “Who is the Creator of all that we become aware of?” “What exactly am I, this distinct individual I?” This enquiry ultimately reveals the goal. The scriptures of all religions and the many moral codes derived from them are concerned with problems that transcend the limits of this world like:
“Why are we here?” “What do we really have to do to deserve this chance of life?” “What are we to become?” What is the most beneficial way for man to live in this world? The answer: Live a regulated and disciplined life. Real education must train one to observe these limits and restrictions. We take great pains and suffer privations to master worldly knowledge. We follow some regimen with strict care to develop the physique. Whatever our objective, we obey an appropriate code of discipline.
What exactly are the gains of disciplined thought and conduct? The rules and regulations are elementary at first. Then, they enable one to be aware of regions beyond the reach of the senses. Later, one can journey beyond the reach of one’s mind, and beyond even the outermost walls of what is reachable by all powers enclosed in the human body. Finally, one realizes and experiences the truth of Truth, namely, one is the One that is immanent in all, that is, in the entire cosmos. One is filled with bliss when fixed in this faith and in this awareness.
This process is the acquisition of real education (vidya), the culmination of the best educational process.
~Vidya Vahini, Culture of Dharma
The sublime significance of higher learning (vidya) can be grasped by one or communicated to another only when the pure mind sheds its revealing light. Inside a room kept scrupulously clean, no snake, no scorpion, no poison-bearing insect can enter. They will be at home only in dark, dirty places. For the same reason, the sacred wisdom cannot enter dark and dirty hearts. Instead, poisonous breeds like anger will find those hearts to be congenial resorts.
Washing a lump of coal with soap and water won’t rid the coal of its color. Nor will washing it in milk help. The only way is to put it in a fire. That will turn it into a heap of white ash. Similarly, only gaining awareness of the atma (atma-jnana)—in other words, knowledge of Brahman (Brahma-vidya)—will destroy the darkness of ignorance and the dirt of desire.
Darkness can be ended only with the help of light. Darkness cannot be overwhelmed by attacking it with more darkness. Spiritual knowledge (vidya) is the light that one needs to destroy the inner darkness. Spiritual learning provides the inner illumination. Spiritual wisdom is the authentic yoga of the Supreme Person (Purushothama Yoga) defined in the Gita; it is the knowledge of the Supreme, the higher learning (vidya). This yoga cannot be bought for money or acquired from friends or ordered from concerns or companies. It has to be assimilated and won by each one for oneself, through steady faith and ardent devotion.
~Vidya Vahini, Knowledge of Self
