Why Citing Multiple Scriptures Matters
Question
We are unable to fully understand the meaning of scriptures written in Hindi such as the Ramcharitmanas. Yet, Shri Maharaj Ji in His lectures cites evidence from Sanskrit scriptures such as the Vedas, Puranas, Gita and Bhagavat and at times from books we have never before heard of. This sort of overwhelms us. What would be the purpose of citing from all of these scriptures?
Answer
In modern times, people rely heavily on their own experiences and logical explanations to understand situations. When curious to know more about something, they turn to the internet and social media to learn from the experiences of those who have been in similar situations before.
Shri Maharaj Ji proves his view points with the same three forms of evidence in His lectures. In scriptural language, these three ways of proving any theory are referred to with the following names
- pratyaksh praman or sensory evidence
- anuman pramanan or logical evidence
- shabd praman or Scriptural evidence
Prolific speakers impart their vision by making it relevant thus compelling to the audience. To do so they use some or all of the aforementioned evidence to crystalize the idea in the minds of the listeners. So, their vision serves as the guiding light for the audience. Whenever the listener is in a dilemma, they can reorient themselves by using that vision and continue to move forward on the path of spirituality.
Shri Maharaj Ji was not only a prolific speaker. Rather He descended on this Earth to revolutionize spirituality.
Shri Maharaj Ji knew very well how different people absorb information differently. He used all three forms of evidence to explain scriptural concepts and solidify our understanding of spiritual truths. So let us briefly examine each of these methods of proving any theory. Also, get a glimpse of how Shri Maharaj Ji uses them to make the messages relevant to us.
Pratyaksha pramana is the weakest form of evidence yet jeev perceive it as the strongest form of evidence. Both mind and senses are material. So they have limited experience and knowledge. So they can't perceive even material things in their entirety. So, it is totally understandable that they cannot perceive divine things.
So, perceptual evidence does not offer perfect evidence in all situations, yet it speaks to us the loudest. Therefore, Shri Maharaj Ji cites examples from our everyday life to make the spiritual messages relevant to us.
Anuman pramanan is logical evidence and definitely stronger form of evidence. This is how many things work in the world.
Shri Maharaj Ji often uses this form of evidence e.g. we know there are only 3 eternal entities, Brahm, Jeev & Maya. Jeev is looking for happiness. Jeev has 2 areas to explore in search of happiness - either in the area of Maya (world) or in the area of God. If happiness is not experienced in the world, it is evident that happiness must be in the area of God.
These are examples of inferential evidence. Shri Maharaj Ji uses this form of evidence as well. Two of the six Darshan Shastra namely “Nyaya Shastra” and “Vaisheshik” have used anuman pramanan to prove the existence of God along with other concepts. And Shri Maharaj Ji uses Darshan Shastra to provide evidence of the truths He is speaking. This form of evidence requires more cognitive power than pratyaksha pramana.
Shabd praman is the scriptural evidence.
प्रत्यक्ष अनुमान गोविंद राधे । दोनों प्रमाण गति जग में बता दे॥
ईश्वरीय क्षेत्र में तो गोविंद राधे । शब्द प्रमाण ही प्रमाण है बता दे॥
शब्द प्रमाण अर्थ गोविंद राधे । नित्य अनादि वेदवाक्य है बता दे॥
राधा गोविन्द गीत (ज्ञान) 3548-3550
pratyakṣa anumāna gōviṁda rādhē । dōnōṁ pramāṇa gati jaga mēṁ batā dē।।
īśvarīya kṣētra mēṁ tō gōviṁda rādhē । śabda pramāṇa hī pramāṇa hai batā dē।।
śabda pramāṇa artha gōviṁda rādhē । nitya anādi vēdavākya hai batā dē।।
rādhā gōvinda gīta (jñāna) 3548-3550
"Perceptual and Inferential evidence can be used in the material world as a proof. But in the divine world Scriptures are the only proof. And in Scriptures too Vedas are the only authority."
In the present times governments work based on this form of evidence. Social network and News media produce and use this form of evidence.
Different people have different attitudes and aptitudes. So, they strive for different goals. That is why Vedic scriptures (the supermarket of spirituality) provide many goals.
Shri Maharaj Ji quotes from the scriptures to create a vision which leads us to the highest goal. While Shri Maharaj Ji establishes the highest goal, He proves His teachings by quoting from relevant scriptures. And, throughout His lectures He cites from many different scriptures to instill the concepts relevant to an aspirant's progress. He does it purposefully for very good reasons.
Benefits of citing scriptures
Shri Maharaj Ji was not an ordinary scholar, He was Jagadguruttam means best of all Jagadgurus.
Prior to the advent of Kaliyug, people had significantly more faith in God. He knew very well that most people in Kaliyug have little knowledge and no faith in the eternal holy scriptures. Masses do not even know the names of the scriptures let alone knowing what is written in them.
In fact, not just the masses but many scholars also had not heard the names of many of the scriptures from which Shri Maharaj Ji cited verses. Still, He provided references from many scriptures. He did not cite those verses to show-off His intellectual prowess, instead He did it for the benefit of the masses.
How so?
His lectures are for scholars, lay men and everyone in the middle.
- Shri Maharaj Ji’s discourses are very logical yet revolutionary. He openly condemned the practice of Gurus whispering a mantra in their disciple’s ear’s , commonly referred to as Guru deeksha. He also categorically stated that bhakti is the life force of all other forms of devotion. He exposed that if other prevalent practices viz. gyan, yoga-asanas, yagya, pooja, chanting with beads etc. are NOT accompanied by loving remembrance then they are NOT the expedients of God realization. Many so-called spiritual leaders and scholars want to refute many points in His lectures to fulfill their own interests. If the malicious attempts of such people were to be successful, these phony babas would confuse the innocent public and perhaps mislead them. The religious leaders would have rebelled against His teachings but He proved every point with all the authentic scriptures namely Vedas, Bhagavata, Gita, Ramayan, Brahma Sutra, Puranas and Darshan Shastra. He also quoted the number of each cited verse so that skeptics could verify it for themselves. As a result, none of those religious-leaders could instigate a revolt. Rather, they were bound to accept His philosophy willingly or unwillingly.
- The general public also acknowledges the teachings of a saint when they are supported and proven by scriptures. It develops a sense of authenticity in the minds of listeners.
Thousands of listeners intently listen to Shri Maharaj Ji’s lectures everyday and many of them have become ardent followers.
Think - when you go to a supermarket, do you buy everything you come across?
No.
Do you avoid purchasing things that look interesting even though you did not come for those?
Generally no.
You might take a list of things you need or just look for things that suit your needs.
Needs of different shoppers are fulfilled by different things and that is why the stores carries a variety of things. Likewise, while listening to the lecture if you don’t like quotations, you can choose to ignore them. There would be other listeners who care for that aspect of the lecture.
Intently listen to the rest of the lecture as those parts pertain to you. Shri Maharaj Ji's words are immensely precious for human life; they are also practical and logical. Hearing them, contemplating on them and putting them into practice will increase your knowledge and lead you towards the ultimate aim of life.