Knowledge is what moves towards unity, and when it reaches the supramental level, it grasps the oneness, essence, and self-law of existence, and views and handles the many things from that light and fullness, somewhat like the Divine does from the highest point from which He embraces the world.
concept
Education
Across world spiritual traditions, education refers to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. Many traditions converge on the importance of self-reflection and personal growth. They diverge in their approaches, offering unique perspectives on the role of education in spiritual development.
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The distinction between knowledge and ignorance starts with the hymns of the RigVeda, where knowledge means being conscious of the Truth and what is right, and ignorance is being unconscious of the Truth and what is right, opposing it and creating false or negative effects.
'I' and 'mine' represent ignorance, while 'Thou' and 'Thine' represent knowledge.
One cannot attain knowledge unless one is free from egotism.
Brahman is beyond knowledge and ignorance, virtue and vice, merit and demerit, cleanliness and uncleanliness.
One attains Perfect Knowledge when one sees God in man.
We can attain peace of mind only by following what Gurbani teaches.
We have been given this human life to understand the all-pervading, omnipresent God. This knowledge can only be given by someone who has themselves realized God. Life becomes truly happy only after meeting such a God-realized person.
Having taught the Veda, the teacher instructs the pupil: 'Speak the truth. Practice righteousness. Do not neglect study. Having brought the teacher his desired fee, do not cut off the thread of progeny. Do not swerve from the truth. Do not swerve from righteousness. Do not neglect welfare. Do not neglect prosperity. Do not neglect study and teaching.'
वेदमनूच्याचार्योन्तेवासिनमनुशास्ति । सत्यं वद । धर्मं चर । स्वाध्यायान्मा प्रमदः । आचार्याय प्रियं धनमाहृत्य प्रजातन्तुं मा व्यवच्छेत्सीः । सत्यान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । धर्मान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । कुशलान्न प्रमदितव्यम् । भूत्यै न प्रमदितव्यम् । स्वाध्यायप्रवचनाभ्यां न प्रमदितव्यम् ॥ १॥
'Bring me a fruit from that banyan tree.' 'Here it is, sir.' 'Break it open.' 'It is broken, sir.' 'What do you see in it?' 'These very tiny seeds, sir.' 'Break one of them open.' 'It is broken, sir.' 'What do you see in it?' 'Nothing at all, sir.'
न्यग्रोधफलमत आहरेतीदं भगव इति भिन्द्धीति भिन्नं भगव इति किमत्र पश्यसीत्यण्व्य इवेमा धाना भगव इत्यासामङ्गैकां भिन्द्धीति भिन्ना भगव इति किमत्र पश्यसीति न किंचन भगव इति
So, having become a student at the age of twelve, he returned at the age of twenty-four, having studied all the Vedas — conceited, thinking himself learned, and arrogant. His father said to him:
स ह द्वादशवर्ष उपेत्य चतुर्विꣳशतिवर्षः सर्वान्वेदानधीत्य महामना अनूचानमानी स्तब्ध एयाय तꣳह पितोवाच
There was Svetaketu, grandson of Aruna. His father said to him: 'Svetaketu, go and live as a student of sacred knowledge. No one in our family, my dear, remains unlearned and a brahmin by birth only.'
श्वेतकेतुर्हारुणेय आस तꣳ ह पितोवाच श्वेतकेतो वस ब्रह्मचर्यं न वै सोम्यास्मत्कुलीनोऽननूच्य ब्रह्मबन्धुरिव भवतीति
He came to Haridrumata Gautama and said: "I wish to live as a celibate student with you, sir. May I come to you [as a pupil]?"
स ह हारिद्रुमतं गौतममेत्योवाच ब्रह्मचर्यं भगवति वत्स्याम्युपेयां भगवन्तमिति
Satyakama Jabala addressed his mother Jabala: "I wish to live as a celibate student, revered mother. Of what lineage am I?"
सत्यकामो ह जाबालो जबालां मातरमामन्त्रयांचक्रे ब्रह्मचर्यं भवति विवत्स्यामि किंगोत्रो न्वहमस्मीति
This alone is Śiva, this alone is Śiva, this alone is Śiva, this alone is Śiva — by my authority, by my authority, by my authority, by my authority.
इदमेव शिवं त्विदमेव शिवं त्विदमेव शिवं त्विदमेव शिवम् । मम शासनतो मम शासनतो मम शासनतो मम शासनतः
There is nothing higher than the Guru — nothing higher than the Guru — nothing higher than the Guru — nothing higher than the Guru. Thus declares Śiva, thus declares Śiva, thus declares Śiva, thus declares Śiva.
न गुरोरधिकं न गुरोरधिकं न गुरोरधिकं न गुरोरधिकम् । शिवशासनतः शिवशासनतः शिवशासनतः शिवशासनतः
The first syllable 'gu' illumines the qualities beginning with maya — the veiling forces of creation. The second syllable 'ru' is Brahman, the destroyer of illusion and confusion.
गुकारः प्रथमो वर्णो मायादिगुणभासकः । रुकारो द्वितीयो ब्रह्म माया भ्रान्ति विनाशनम्
The syllable 'gu' signifies darkness; the syllable 'ru' signifies light. The Guru is verily that Brahman which devours ignorance — of this there is no doubt.
गुकारस्त्वन्धकारश्च रुकारस्तेज उच्यते । अज्ञानग्रासकं ब्रह्म गुरुरेव न संशयः
Forgiveness, courage, non-violence, equanimity, truth, sincerity, knowledge, charity, and renunciation are said to be the characteristics of the path that arises from goodness.
Renunciation of all attachments is the highest means to achieve liberation. It is through knowledge that we can achieve renunciation and become free.