Atma Bodha - Post 8

Verse - 2 

  

बोधोऽन्यसाधनेभ्यो हि साक्षान्मोक्षैकसाधनम् ।

पाकस्य वह्निवज्ज्ञानं विना मोक्षो न सिध्यति ॥ २॥

BODHO ANYASAADHANEBHYO HI SAAKSHAAN MOKSHAIKA SAADHANAM
PAAKASYA VAANHIVAJ GYAANAM VINAA MOKSHO NA SIDHYATI

(Just as the fire is the direct cause for cooking, so without Knowledge no emancipation can be had. Compared with all other forms of discipline, Knowledge of the Self is the one direct means for liberation).

In the previous post having explained so much about the need for practice of austerity and self control etc. one may misunderstand from it that discipline alone may lead one to the goal. 

To remove any such misunderstandings, Sankara in this sloka states that knowledge alone is the one direct means of liberation through a very simple example.

Just as fire alone is the direct cause of cooking, knowledge alone can lead to liberation from all miseries. In cooking, items such as vegetables, spices, water pots, pans etc. are all contributory causes and by themselves can never constitute food. 

Fire alone can accomplish the cooking and hence the food. These articles are necessary, but it is the fire that actually cooks a meal. i.e. fire is the direct cause.

Similarly, the performance of rituals, control of mind, the study of the scriptures, the use of discriminating intellect etc. are all, no doubt helpful factors which aid in the spiritual growth but they do not by themselves directly lead one to liberation. 

The purpose of practice of austerities, rituals, giving of gifts, charity etc. is only the purification of the mind. The Sadhana Chatushtaya only creates a favorable mental state that is conductive to knowledge and thus only prepares the seeker for the knowledge. 

Thus such spiritual disciplines only train the aspirant to concentration and hence create necessary condition. But it is the knowledge alone that is ever present that can liberate one from the illusory duality and hence from all the miseries. 

Just as the fire that is the direct cause of cooking, knowledge is the direct cause of liberation. 

All the sadhanas are only to gain this ever present knowledge and strengthen it.

Hence Sankara in this verse is instructing that it is only by the true knowledge of one’s existence is realized, that liberation is possible. 

Note

The author has explained the truth of this verse through his own spiritual sadhana experience in an earlier post.

Though Bhakti sadhana or Yoga or even Karma or the path of action are all very useful in their own capacity, it has to be noted that the misery of a human being starts only when he is ignorant of the truth is that he is created by divine as divine and in this ignorance, he starts believing in his existence with Body, mind and Intellect as real existence.

Like for each disease, only certain prescribed treatment is required to cure the disease, the misery in human life caused due to IGNORANCE or AVIDYA or LACK OF KNOWLEDGE can only be cured by the JNANA that he is verily divine.

Whether one actually goes through the path of Jnana and is actually in the path of Devotion only with utmost sincerity, the culmination of true devotion is Jnana where, the true Jnana is the transcending of the duality between the devotee and his Lord. Jnana's culmination is only the removal of one's ego and merger with divine / pure consciousness.

Love.