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Chapter 2
Srutvapyenam veda na caiva kaicit:-There are some who do not know it, even on hearing. It means that, merely hearing, will not help one to know it. On hearing, when one gets established in one's own self, one will know one's own self[1] by oneself.
Now a question arises, that an aspirant on hearing the words of scriptures and a preceptor, gets knowledge, why has it been said then, that there are some who do not know it, even on hearing of it? The answer is, that it is the aspirant himself, who by having faith in the words of scriptures and preceptor, gains knowledge. Otherwise there have been several incantations of God, and there also have been liberated souls, who held discourses on metaphysics, and by hearing their discourses the people should have gained metaphysical knowledge. But, actually it has not happened. Their discourses, can be helpful to a striver having faith, but he, will also have to get himself established in his own self. This expression does not mean to convey, that knowledge of the self is impossible; it rather conveys that it is beyond the senses. However hard efforts by a man may make him to know it, ultimately he will have to know himself, by his own self.
What is knowing of the self, by the self? There is a difference between doing, perceiving and knowing. Doing involves organs of action, perceiving involves senses, while knowing is done by the self Itself.
The senses actually do not know; rather they only perceive which is useful in daily activity.
This knowledge, of knowing oneself by one's ownself, is of two kinds—'I am different from the body and the world; and secondly, 'I have identity with God.' In other words, it can be said, 'I have no affinity with the kaleidoscopic, perishable world, while I have constant affinity with unchangeable, imperishable God.' After possessing this kind of knowledge, one can know the soul in reality. This knowledge, is beyond the reach of speech and intellect.
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