It is impossible to find and realize the ultimate truth or Brahman via religion and scriptural study. Even Upanishads confirm this.+

It is impossible to find and realize the ultimate truth or Brahman via religion and scriptural study. Even Upanishads confirm this.

Katha Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, nor by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Atman reveals Its own form. (Ch-II -23-P-20)

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained through the study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 –page-70 Upanishads by Nikilanada)

When the Upanishad says: The human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge and they indicate the personal Gods, scriptures, worship, and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge, then why anyone should indulge in it.

The religion, concept of individualized God and scriptures are the greatest obstacle to Self-realization because they are based on false Self. The seeker of truth has to search the ultimate truth without losing himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, through deeper self-search and assimilate and realize it.

Many people follow both Bhakti as well as Jnana. Orthodoxy saints and poets in the past composed numerous hymns of various Gods and Goddesses by mixing both dual and non-dualistic ideas.

Many sages used to illustrate, that the formless (Nirakara God) ocean water under the cold currents of bhakti freezes to take the shape as ice (Saakar God). The same ice (Saakar God) under the heat of Gnana dissolves and again becomes the formless ocean (Nirakara God).

All the orthodox Advaitins believe in God and Goddesses (vidya) and performing rituals and other sacrifices(Avidya) both are a hindrance to Self-knowledge according to Ish Upanishads, then why the seeker of truth needs worshipping of God and Goddesses when the essence of Advaita is Atman is Brahman (Soul is the ultimate truth or God in truth).

Isa Upanishads indicates that:~  By worshipping Gods and Goddesses and going to the world of Gods after death is of no use. The time one spends in ritualistic practices is wasted; one can spend the same time moving forward towards Self-knowledge, which is the main goal. One cannot reach the non-dual destination by glorifying God and Goddesses and by doing that, one goes deeper and deeper into darkness. It surely indicates the fact that the seeker of truth has to drop the worshiping God and Goddess in order to get Self-knowledge.

It also indicates that Religious Rituals (Avidya) are Karma (action) and, therefore, a hindrance. Performing Agnihotra and other sacrifices (Avidya) is a roundabout way of purifying the mind, and it is also groping in the dark.

In addition, it indicates the karma is limited only to the religious rituals, not on the whole human life. This karma theory based on human conduct must have been adopted from Buddhism and other theories based on human conducts.

When it says: Perform the obligatory karmas without any attachment to the fruits and at the same time worship Gods and Goddesses, again without any desire to go to heaven - then you can get the benefit of both, liberation and bliss. For those who are not yet ready to renounce, this path is recommended, it means that the religion and its idea of God and Goddesses and code of conduct, and its rituals are meant for the mass who are incapable of thinking of the beyond.

In addition, it also speaks of heaven the abode of Gods, where one goes after death, and it speaks of rebirth, this contradiction, seeker has to conclude that religion, rituals God and its code of conduct are meant for the mass that is not receptive to Self-knowledge.

Sage Goudpada says:~ The merciful Veda teaches karma and Upasana to people of lower and middling intellect while jnana is taught to those of higher intellect.

So they clearly indicate rituals and theories are not meant for those who are searching for higher knowledge or wisdom. The path of wisdom is the only means. :~Santthosh Kumaar