Seeking Knowledge the Right Way

In a land where spiritual knowledge was celebrated and even revered, lived a scholar of
brilliance that few could match. He had committed to memory a wide number of esoteric
texts and could speak on any profound topic impromptu.
He gave the glimpse of the supreme peace to many who heard him talk, but alas, his was a
heart that still sought that supreme peace itself. He successfully hid this failing under the
cloak of scholarship, but how could he turn away from this restlessness? He was even
surprised, that all the knowledge-gathering had even now left him wanting and un-satiated.
He could not tolerate the paucity of inner peace any further. The pain was even deeper for
him because he had no one else to share this secret failing.
So one day he set out. He told his followers and admirers that he was going on a pilgrimage
all by himself. But it was not to any temple, church or synagogue he went. He walked deep
into the forest where lived a Master in his humble monastery. His heart told him, there he will
find the peace and understanding he yearned for; there he will get that wisdom which he did
not find in
books.
After a long
trek he
reached the
place. The
master was
sitting all by
himself,
surrounded
only by his
spiritual aura.
The scholar
humbly
prostrated
before him
and waited to
be permitted
to talk. The
master looked
at him and
said, What
brings you
here child?
I am for the
world a great
scholar,
replied the
aspirant, But at heart am starved for the true understanding that will give me the peace that
you enjoy.


The master smiled, but there was sympathy in the smile, not a spot of contempt.
I have read every book on spirituality, the scholar continued, I have dilated on every topic
they explain. Yet there is an emptiness I cannot fill. I understand, yet do not comprehend!
The master then asked with compassion, Tell me child, how have you studied the spiritual
texts? Have you studied them like a rich altruist who gives sandalwood in charity, or like a
princess who spends hours in front of the mirror, lost in her beauty?
The scholar was plunged in deep thought. In his mind he speculated, Any day a
philanthropist is better than a narcissist! But he did not make bold to reply.
The master continued, You have studied the texts like the rich man. When he gives away
sandalwood, he picks them up and hands it over. The fragrance of the sandalwood lingers on
his hands for a while, before fading away. That is exactly how you have studied the texts.
You merely picked the words and handed it over to the ones eager to receive them. The joy
and peace you felt was like the fragrance that lingers, but for a little while. That is not how
you should read the scriptures.
Dive deep within yourself and seek the knowledge. All wisdom that is to be found is in your
heart. Find it, and then read whatever you wish to. You will then read the scriptures like the
princess looking into the mirror. She is enchanted by the beauty she sees in the mirror, but
knows well that it is her own.

We are often given to think that what we need to know has to come from outside. We believe,
the more we read and more esoteric the literature, the more learned we shall become.
Bhagawan has often corrected this perspective; He says true learning and education is that
which brings forth knowledge from within. That is the knowledge we all must strive for.
Swami says:
The
highly
talent
ed
perso
ns in
differ
ent
walks
of life
have
not
acquir
ed
their
skills
from
some
where
outsid
e. All
these
are
but
manif
estati
ons of
their
own
innate
potentialities. It is sheer ignorance to think that any person can be developed by some other
person. Everything is in you alone. All that you do by way of your effort is to manifest or
give an outer expression to what is already inherent in you.
"So even in the spiritual field, all the sadhana that you need to do is to remove the
obstruction, namely, the ignorance that is preventing the manifestation of the divinity already
present in you.
- Divine Discourse, 31 May 1990
This message rings forth loud and clear in an interaction that happened between Prof. V. K
Gokak, eminent scholar and first Vice Chancellor of the Bhagawans University, and Swami
Himself. In a talk given by Mr. B.N. Narasimha Murthy (former Warden, Brindavan
Campus) in the Divine Presence, he narrated this episode:
Once in early 1970s, Swami chose Vedas and Vedic Culture as the main theme for a
Summer Course in Indian Culture and Spirituality. Bhagawan granted about twenty divine
discourses on the Vedas. He quoted exhaustively from the Vedas and Upanishads; He quoted
from the commentators, both eastern and western. He quoted from Sayanaachaarya and


Yaaskaachaarya; He quoted from Max Mueller, Weber, Keith and Winternitz. Dr. Vinayaka
Krishna Gokak was astounded.
He wanted to know, when Swami studied all that. He went to Swami and submitted at His
lotus feet a question - 'Swami, Neevu yaavaaga idhannella odhidhiri?' (Kannada) - Swami,
when did you read all this?' Swami smiled and replied, 'Odhuva ketta abhyaasave nanage
illa!' (Kannada) - I dont have the bad habit of reading books!
Then Swami explained, 'This is the secret of the emergence of the Vedas in the minds of
sages and seers. All the knowledge in the universe is there in the human brain. There are
many brain centres; each is a centre for one particular branch of knowledge. If a man is able
to control his mind and senses, and focus his mind on a particular brain centre, all the
knowledge pertaining to that branch of knowledge will stand revealed to him!'
Man has been endowed with all the knowledge in the world. As Bhagawan explained, what is
needed is control and steadying of this mind. That is why Bhagawan would say, Study to be
steady. All learning should lead to a state in which our minds shall remain in balance and
under control. Then we will be able to discover the repository of knowledge within. When the
water of a pond is limpid, the sparkling shells that lie in the bottom can be seen!
Illustrations: Ms. Vidya (Kuwait)
- Radio Sai Team