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.
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Understanding
Understanding refers to the pursuit of knowledge and insight across spiritual traditions. Various traditions converge on the importance of self-awareness and introspection. They diverge in their approaches and interpretations, offering unique perspectives.
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Ignorance is the lack of the divine ability to see the supramental Truth; it is the part of our consciousness that does not perceive, as opposed to the part that sees and knows the truth.
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 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.
Salutations to the Guru who, with the salve of wisdom applied like a fine brush, opens the eyes of one left sightless by the darkness of ignorance.
अज्ञानतिमिरान्धस्य ज्ञानाञ्जनशलाकया । चक्षुरुन्मीलितं येन तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः
I bow to the Guru who is Brahman — eternal, pure, beyond all appearance and form, unstained, ever-aware, the very embodiment of consciousness and bliss.
नित्यं शुद्धं निराभासं निराकारं निरञ्जनम् । नित्यबोधं चिदानन्दं गुरुं ब्रह्म नमाम्यहम्
Salutations to the Guru — by whom this mind is made conscious, yet who cannot be grasped by that very mind; who pervades the states of waking, dreaming, and deep sleep.
येन चेतयते हीदं चित्तं चेतयते न यम् । जाग्रत्स्वप्नसुषुप्त्यादि तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः
Salutations to the Guru — by whose truth the world appears real, by whose light all things shine, and by whose bliss all beings rejoice.
यत्सत्येन जगत्सत्यं यत्प्रकाशेन भाति तत् । यदानन्देन नन्दन्ति तस्मै श्रीगुरवे नमः
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
This knowledge is exceedingly rare in all three worlds — listen as I reveal it. O fair-faced one, it is truth, verily the truth: there is no Brahman apart from the Guru.
दुर्लभं त्रिषु लोकेषु तच्छृणुष्व वदाम्यहम् । गुरुं विना ब्रह्म नान्यत्सत्यं सत्यं वरानने
The Goddess said: Om. Salutations to You, O Lord of lords, the highest Guru of the universe, surpassing even the highest. O eternally auspicious Shiva, O great Lord — grant me initiation into the knowledge of the Guru.
श्री देव्युवाच - ॐ नमो देवदेवेश परात्परजगद्गुरो । सदाशिव महादेव गुरुदीक्षां प्रदेहि मे
Those who understand themselves, understand God.
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.
I understand morality, which is timeless and full of mysteries. It is the same ancient morality that is known to everyone, which is about being friendly to all and doing good for all creatures.