Atma Bodha - Post 9

Verse 3.

अविरोधितया कर्मनाविद्यां विनिवर्तयेत् ।

विद्याविद्यां निहन्त्येव तेजस्तिमिरसङ्घवत् ॥३॥

AVIRODHITAYAA KARMA NAA VIDYAAM VINIVARTAYET
VIDYAAVIDYAAM NIHANTYEVA TEJASTIMIRA SANGHAVAT

(Action cannot destroy ignorance, for it is not in conflict with or opposed to ignorance. Knowledge does verily destroy ignorance as light destroys deep darkness.)

In the previous sloka, we learnt that like the fire that can only cook food, the knowledge only can lead to liberation. In this sloka, Sankara is answering another doubt that may arise for a seeker as to why it is not possible for austerities and discipline to liberate one and why is it that only knowledge can lead to realization? 

Sri Sankaracharya must have given this question serious thought before arriving at his conclusion to the contrary. Even considering the startling achievements of action in the external world, the answer Sankaracharya comes up with is to still place knowledge above action. 

Avidya / Ignorance

Ignorance is what pervades our entire life. Because of it, though essentially born divine, created by divinity as divine, we still get identified with the body. 

We then perform actions to take care of this body. These become our central preoccupation. 

Kama Karma  

Very soon, we will include actions that arise purely from the desires arising through our body identification. Soon we are engulfed in activities, all of which may be astounding in themselves but which do not take us a single step forward towards God.

When our actions are not fulfilling, we become unhappy. Another series of actions are started to make us happy in the world. That does not succeed. 

All this is because actions are rooted in ignorance; they are conceived in ignorance, governed by ignorance, mothered and fathered by ignorance, supported by ignorance how can it oppose ignorance when ignorance is so rooted in it? And how can a handmaid of ignorance be the cause of destroying ignorance? Actions are not in opposition to ignorance and can, therefore, never overcome ignorance.

Knowledge

We need to turn to something that is the ‘enemy’ of ignorance. That is knowledge. Anything that we DO will only strengthen our ignorance.

Since actions have identification with the Upaadhis as their basis, they will only strengthen our ignorance. On the other hand, knowledge is in direct opposition to ignorance. It is the only thing that stands a chance to destroy ignorance. If ignorance is the root of our bondage, then knowledge must surely be the only means to liberate us

That is the essence of this verse.

Example of Light Destroying Darkness:

A strikingly appropriate analogy is given by Sri Sankaracharya. If one has entered a cave and there is pitch black darkness, the only way to get rid of it is bring in some light, and the darkness vanishes instantly.

If people in the cave decide to try other methods what would happen? They may decide to “sweep away” the darkness. They get a broom for the purpose, but it does nothing to get rid of the darkness. 

Another suggestion they try is to “wash out” the darkness with water. That, too, fails hopelessly. Only light overcomes darkness because it is in direct opposition to it.

This is why it is knowledge alone that would help ultimately to get rid of the darkness of ignorance.

Truth gained by knowledge is our essential State

The knowledge that is here being discussed of is not something that can be gained new, but it is verily inherent in us. 

In the Taittriya Upanishad, a verse says that Brahman, as Sathyam, Jnanam and Anantam is discovered in the cave of one's heart.

It does not say the knowledge of Brahman is invented / gained afresh but it says, the knowledge is DISCOVERED.

  

It is one’s own nature and hence this knowledge of Self which is ever present can never be got as a result of any action. 

Hence no actions in the sense of direct cause and effect can lead to knowledge of the self.

Love.