A man who has temporarily lost his memory stands
out upon the terrace of his own house and despairs at the gathering darkness
and the descending chill of the wintry night. He suffers agonies, He weeps, He
sighs, He feels helpless and is in pain and sorrow.
But a few yards behind him is the balcony window,
kept half open, through which he could see his own warm home where his bed is
kept ready, his dinner is laid and his beloved is waiting with all
devotion and love. He has only to turn around to see the welcoming, comforting,
inviting sight of his own luxurious home of sweetness and joy. At will he can
walk in and claim all the bliss as his own birth right.
Similarly, man stands on the open terrace of life looking outward into
the deepening darkness and suffers from loneliness.
His own beloved religion invitingly binds him to
come in. It reminds him of the discomforts in the terrace and appeals to him to
turn back.
“Renounce the terrace and walk into the lit up
Halls of Joy within where I shall attend to your every comfort” cries the
religion.
The essence of Vedanta teaches a man to wake up
from the darkness of his life (ignorance) and teaches him to get back to his
own home, the reality of his existence.
Every true religion contains two important limbs –
1) The ritualistic injunctions and 2) Philosophical suggestions.
In the same way, each Veda is primarily divided into two main
sections.
1. Karma
Kanda (Action Section)
2. Jnana
Kanda (Knowledge Section)
Karma Kanda focuses on Dharma, Karma, rituals, and other special
actions meant to achieve security (Artha) and pleasures (Kama). This is the
biggest section in each Veda because it deals with the various human desires
and the actions needed to fulfill them. Since the means to achieve the desires
are actions (Karma), this section is called the Action Section. This can be
equated to the first limb – ritualistic injunctions explained in the context of
religion.
The second section, Jnana Kanda, is a much shorter section
because it deals with only one human desire; the desire for liberation
(Moksha). Moksha cannot be gained through any action, but only through
knowledge. Hence this is called the Knowledge Section. This can be equated with
the philosophical injunctions explained in the context of religion.
Love.
“Embodiments of Love, Students!
Whatever you have learnt here, share it with others. It is not enough if you share it with others, you too should put your knowledge into practice and derive benefit therefrom. We prepare many delicious items at home and serve them to the guests. Is it not necessary that we should also partake of them?
Likewise, we should digest the Vedic knowledge we have acquired and also share it with others. All types of knowledge have originated from the Vēdas. That is why the Vēda is extolled as sarva vijñāna sampatti (the treasure chest of knowledge). But unfortunately, we are not making proper use of such a treasure. Share your knowledge to the extent you have acquired. Never forget what you have learnt. With sincere effort, you will certainly be able to attain sākṣhātkāra. Those of you who wish to have the vision of God should digest the Vedic wisdom you have acquired and share it with others.”
