न हि ज्ञानेन सदृशं पवित्रमिह विद्यते ।
Can you think of a knowledge that is pious and make someone pure or pious?
When we see this world there is no lack of knowledge. In almost every field we are applying knowledge, the latest technologies, be it smartphones, space, or automobiles, and getting the best results. These technologies are aimed at making life easier for human beings.
Knowledge for Convenience
If you have to travel from point A to point B, you may be faster but the purpose of reaching from A to B remains the same. One can communicate from one corner of the world to another corner of the world with lightning speed but the purpose of the communication remains the same. We share the same message we used to communicate earlier but the speed is faster now. So far as the content of the message is concerned there is not change but the way it is being communicated has undergone a great deal of change. Such knowledge is to make our life easier. It has nothing to do with purity or making you pious.
Knowledge for Purity
No doubt, knowledge changes one’s behavior. If you learn something it brings about some changes in your thoughts and understanding.
The knowledge that makes you pure is the Knowledge of Self – Self-Knowledge. Here you know something that is pure, eternal which is called sat-chit-anand (Truth-Consciousness-Bliss). Something pure has the capability to make you pure.
Importance of Self-Knowledge
Various saints and seers have talked about this Knowledge. They say if a person has not known that Self-Knowledge, he is like food without salt or clouds with no possibility of rain. In their view that knowledge can redeem you, can make you free – has the possibility to give you ultimate freedom, the freedom one longs for throughout his life.
How to acquire Self-Knowledge?
How to acquire that knowledge is a great challenge as people are more concerned about the knowledge of this world as it fulfills their desires. What we desire, put our efforts into that. There are very few who long for that. And this is true, because if a person is unaware of the need for such knowledge, why will he look for that? This is evident in the world: we look for something we need. Do we feel the need for such a piece of knowledge?
Lord Krishna on Self-Knowledge
Lord Krishna in Geeta talks about how to get this Knowledge. In chapter 4, He says to Arjun that in the beginning, I taught this imperishable Knowledge to Vivasvat (Sun); Vivasvat taught it to Manu; Manu taught it to lkshvaku. That same ancient Yoga has been today taught to you by Me, seeing that you are My devotee and friend; for, this is the Supreme Secret.
The result of Self-Knowledge
When Arjuna asks: by what means this grand wisdom can be obtained? He says: Go to those who have known and realized this Knowledge. Request with great reverence and service. When they are pleased, they will teach you that Knowledge.
With regard to what will be its result, he says: you will not be attracted to Maya or you will not be infatuated in this world and you will see all beings in yourself and in Me as well.
This is how it can be attained and this is what is its result. When one sees all beings in himself, he will not think of harming anyone. His vision will be even. He will not see rich or poor, educated or uneducated, he will see only human beings. Humanity and compassion will automatically flow from him.
Such Knowledge is worth looking for. It will make a human being a complete one. It will make him pure or pious.