: The Vedas are not dogmatic and speak to all in the same voice. It is up to every individual to accept or reject their teaching. They deal with an encyclopaedic range of subjects that pertain to each and every aspect of living. For instance, there is information on yagas, etc., for attainment of specific gains in life and in after-life. But as Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita, at some point of time, one is bound to realise that materialistic gains are time-bound and finite and will come to an end. The desire to search for permanent bliss is then kindled and this is realised by renouncing the temporary happiness that the world affords.
In the Chandogya Upanishad, Sage Narada, well-learned in all branches of learning, approaches Sage Sanatkumara as a disciple, seeking the way of peace. Narada’s sense of restlessness signifies that all his scholarship and attainments have not helped him reach the ultimate goal where alone the search ends, pointed out Sri K. Srinivasan in a lecture.
All knowledge pertaining to the physical world is also in a developing stage. Constant updating, rediscovering and putting things in proper perspective — are always happening and there is no saturation point in life. Where can the search stop? The criterion is when it gives happiness.
Life’s sorrow is on account of one being caught in the cycle of birth. Human birth offers the chance to seek freedom from Samsara; while there is also compelling pressure to remain in it because of the attractions of the world. Unless a determined effort is made to strive for freedom, it will not be realised.
The concept of the infinite and the finite is basic to this understanding. There is one Supreme Brahman from which springs this manifested universe. One has to seek this Truth with the help of a Guru and have unwavering faith in the teaching. The Upanishad states that “the knower of Truth does not see death or disease or sorrow. He sees everything and obtains everything everywhere. He (the knower) is one before the creation, and continues to live after the creation as well.”
