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Knowledge Of Unity Alone Dispels Ignorance – Swami Madhavananda

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Knowledge of unity alone dispels ignorance.

Knowledge only removes the false notion it does not create anything.

Scriptural statement cannot impart any power to a thing. For it is an accepted principle that the scriptures are only informative, not creative.

Sun Temple At Modhera, Gujarat

Everything is the effect of righteousness and unrighteousness : whatever is differentiated is the result of these two. The self, on attaining it, becomes identified with that.

It is true that good and bad deeds prompted by desire etc. are the cause of a man's taking a body; still it is under the influence of desire that he accumulates these deeds. When desire is gone, work, although present, does not lead to the accumulation of merit or demerit. Even if he goes on doing good and bad deeds, these, bereft of the desire, produce no results; therefore desire is the root of transmigratory existence.

Source – The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad with the commentary of Adi Shankaracharya Translated by Swami Madhavananda

Expansion of above statement:

In Hindu philosophy, the idea that "knowledge only removes the false notion, it does not create anything" is deeply rooted in the concept of "Avidya" (ignorance) and "Vidya" (knowledge). This principle is a cornerstone of various schools of Hindu thought, particularly Advaita Vedanta.

Understanding the Concept

  1. Avidya (Ignorance) and Maya (Illusion):

    • Avidya refers to ignorance or a lack of true knowledge. In Hindu philosophy, it is considered the root cause of human suffering and bondage.
    • Maya is the illusory power of Brahman (the ultimate reality or universal consciousness) that creates the appearance of the phenomenal world. It is through Maya that individuals perceive multiplicity and duality in the world.

  2. Vidya (Knowledge):

    • Vidya represents true knowledge or wisdom, particularly the realization of the self's true nature as one with Brahman. It is the knowledge that dispels Avidya.
    • In Advaita Vedanta, this knowledge is not something newly created; it is a realization of what already exists. It is an unveiling of the truth that the individual self (Atman) is identical to Brahman.

The Role of Knowledge

  • Removal of False Notions:

    • Knowledge in this context is seen as a remover of ignorance. Just as light dispels darkness but does not create anything new, true knowledge removes the false perceptions imposed by ignorance.
    • This is akin to the metaphor of a rope mistaken for a snake in the dim light. The rope (reality) is always there, but due to ignorance (Avidya), it is mistaken for a snake (illusion). When true knowledge is attained, the false notion of the snake is removed, revealing the rope as it always was.

  • Unveiling the Eternal Truth:

    • According to Hindu philosophy, the ultimate truth or reality (Brahman) is eternal and unchanging. It is not something that comes into being through knowledge; rather, it is always present. Knowledge merely removes the veils of ignorance that obscure this truth.
    • This aligns with the idea of self-realization or enlightenment, where the individual realizes their true nature as not separate from the divine.

Implications in Practice

  • Spiritual Practice:

    • The pursuit of knowledge in Hinduism is often through practices like meditation, self-inquiry (Atma Vichara), and studying sacred texts (like the Upanishads and Bhagavad Gita).
    • These practices are aimed at removing the layers of ignorance and illusion, leading to the realization of one's true self.

  • Liberation (Moksha):

    • Liberation or Moksha in Hinduism is the state of being free from the cycle of birth and death (Samsara) which is driven by ignorance and desire.
    • It is achieved through the realization of true knowledge, which dispels the false notion of individuality and reveals the unity with Brahman.

In summary, the statement "knowledge only removes the false notion, it does not create anything" encapsulates a profound aspect of Hindu philosophy. It emphasizes that true knowledge is about removing the misconceptions imposed by ignorance, thereby revealing the eternal and unchanging reality that has always been present. This process of realization leads to liberation and unity with the divine.