Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Sage Goudpada says: that whatever is seen, whether external or internal, whether by the ordinary persons or yogis is unreal.+



Sage Goudpada says:  that whatever is seen, whether external or internal, whether by the ordinary persons or yogis is unreal.

The Gurus say scriptures say “Brahman = I" is an error because the ‘Self’ is not the ‘I’.    If the scriptures say ‘I’ wasn’t there it means there is no ‘I’.  Thus, do not hold ‘I’ as the ’Self’.   Do not use the word ‘I’, for the ‘Self’ because the ‘Self’ is the witness of the ‘I’.  

What is it that appears as the ‘I’ and disappears as the ‘I-less? It is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Do not make the mistake of holding the ‘I’ as the Self because it is not permanent. ‘I’ disappears and becomes ‘I’-less.  The ‘I’ disappears as I-LESS.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ The permanent is always there, only the transient ‘I’ comes and goes. (2.18)

The ‘I’ hides the truth of the whole. The ‘I’ is an object to the Soul, which is the formless subject.

The earliest ancient sages used the word ‘I’ to the witness of the three states not to the ego as moderns use it and think the ‘I’ without the body is the Self. The seeker has to understand the fact that ‘I’ is not the Self, but the witness of the ‘I’ is the true Self, which is eternal. 

That is why Ashtavakra Gita 16:10:~ If you desire liberation, but you still say "I," If you feel the ‘Self’ is the ‘I’, You are not a wise man or a seeker. You are simply a man who suffers. 

Remember:~

Sage Sankara said: ~ Talk as much philosophy as you like, worship as many Gods as you please, observe ceremonies, and sing devotional hymns, but the liberation will never come, even after a hundred aeons, without realizing the Oneness.
No religious God can exist apart from the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

All the religious Gods with form and attributes cease to exist without the dualistic illusion.

People are not aware of the fact that there is no individual God can exist, apart from the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

The Soul is the Self.   If there is no Soul, then there is no physical body, no ego, no world in which you exist,   no religion, and no religious Gods. 

People think that there must be a creator of this universe. If one thinks the Self is ‘I’   then there is a creator, but if one thinks the ‘Self’ is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, then there is nothing that exists other than consciousness.

If one objectifies and sees a universe, then he is bound to see many things besides himself and postulate a God, the creator.

You, your body, and the world in which you exist rise and set together from, and into, the Soul or the consciousness.

If God is apart from the Soul, the ‘Self’, then God would be selfless, that is, outside existence, that is, non-existent. 

No one has seen God creating the world. No one can claim that it was the first Knower of the first created things.  How was that first ‘known’ substance generated?
There got to be at the very beginning of the creation of someone or other who was the very first knower of the creation.  There cannot be something ‘known’ in the absence of a ‘knower.’ 

If at all we said that there was a ‘Seen’ or ‘known’ substance produced at the beginning of creation, you may legitimately question us about its origin.  But that has never been our argument.  We are consistent in our assertion that there has been no legitimate cause behind anything ‘seen’ at the beginning of creation or even later on at any time.  Hence there is not a thing ‘seen.’  Because there has been not a thing seen, the consciousness is forever without bondage.  The consciousness cannot be captured in words.

How did the “I” originate? 

How did the world” originate? 

How does one know that he exists in this world?

There was no cause for the universe even at the very start.  So nothing ever is really born.  The entire universe is only an illusion. The universe in which you exist is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.

What exists is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness only.   The consciousness cannot be expressed in words because it is the existence itself. It is eternal, self-effulgent, and unblemished. 

The illusion has no value.  The universe is the illusory nature of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Mentally reduce the universe into consciousness by realizing the universe is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness.

There is no reason behind the illusion!   From the ultimate standpoint, there is no illusion at all!   Everything is nothing but consciousness.

You are still going by an attempt to establish a sequence of cause-effect relationships.  There has to be a touchstone that can establish the correctness or otherwise of the sequence of causes and effects.  If we examine based on that yardstick, the causes will evaporate. 

For example, doubt is the cause of a question.  The cause for the doubt is ignorance.  If we can get rid of ignorance, there is no scope for doubt and the later questions. So go on finding answers to your doubts on your own.  When all the questions are resolved, you will automatically land in and be at ease as consciousness. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

Sunday, June 28, 2015

There is no need to search for the truth. The truth is already declared by the Sage Sankara 1200 years ago.+



There is no need to search for the truth. The truth is already declared by the Sage  Sankara 1200 years ago

Sage  Sankara declared the Atman is Brahman. The world is an illusion. Sage Sankara's declaration is the ultimate truth.

Thus, it is necessary to realize: ~  

How this world in which we exist is an illusion?

From what standpoint the world is an illusion?

Why this Atman or the Soul is the ultimate truth or Brahman?

Remember:~

There is no need to follow anyone you need to do your own homework. 

There is no need for a Guru or study scriptures, just drop all your accumulated knowledge. 

Think and reason deeply and realize ‘what is what’. Do not waste your lifetime discussing and arguing with others. The truth is very simple, but you are making it difficult because of your egocentric intellectuality.

Realize the world in which you exist created out of single stuff with a firm conviction. Only the firm conviction of the truth will lead you to get rid of the ignorance, which was the cause of experiencing the world in which you exist as a reality.

Sage Sankara has declared studying the scriptures are of no use, performing worship and rituals are not of any use, yoga is of no use in pursuit of the truth. 
When Sage  Sankara has declared what is not needed in pursuit of truth then why you are sticking to what is not needed to realize the truth.
There is nothing to realize other than realizing the world in which you exist is nothing but the consciousness and other than the consciousness all else is an illusion.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

The world in which you exist is a dualistic illusion created out of the consciousness.+



The one which knows itself as the body with the name is not the body, but it is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. If the Soul, the innermost ‘Self ‘wakes up from the sleep of ignorance then there is neither body nor the name nor the world that exists. 
Only when the Soul is in ignorance of its true nature the world in which you exist is experienced as a reality. The world in which you exist is a dualistic illusion created out of consciousness.
The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness alone, prevails as a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.
If the Soul, the Self, wakes up from the sleep of ignorance then where is the body, where is the mind, where is the world; the void; or despair in the true Self, which is the taintless Soul or consciousness. They are or have become consciousness.
One thinks there is a mind when he has thoughts, but when thoughts are not considered different from the consciousness, which is the true Self, then where is the division into, waking, dream and deep sleep, etc.
Void implies duality: the universe may not exist, but the thought of the second is there. If one knows there is a Void (emptiness/nothingness), then there is something there to be known and know. They are or have become consciousness.

Remember:~
What are scriptures, what is Self-knowledge, what is the mind without the objects, what is contentment, and where is desirelessness for the formless Soul, the innermost true Self, which is ever devoid of a sense of duality?
What is knowledge? What is ignorance? What is the ego? What is duality? What is the mind? What is bondage? What is liberation? What is definableness to the formless Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness?
All these appearances are an illusion, which comes and go; hence meaningless to the formless Soul, the Self.
Egocentric knowledge is not the ultimate knowledge because ego-based knowledge is dualistic knowledge based on the object (body) as the subject. But in non-dualistic Knowledge whatever seems to exist also is consciousness; therefore there is no scope for the existence of the second thing.
What is past karma? What is liberation –in this life? and what is that liberation at death? For the birth- less Soul, which is ever formless?
The nearest state to understand the Soul by itself is to eliminate mentally waking and dream as in deep sleep. Once this is grasped one has to understand everything is consciousness, which is the true Self.
What is the doer or the enjoyer? What is the cessation of thoughts or the rising of thoughts? What are the immediate perception and its result to, the formless Soul, which is ever impersonal? A Gnani is the one who is never afraid of thinking and knowing all his individual experiences and the world to be consciousness.
What is the world and what is meant by the aspirant for liberation; what is contemplative and what is the man of knowledge; what is the Self is and what liberated Self to the formless Soul, which is the non-dual essence. :~Santthosh Kumaar 

The unreal nature of the ‘I’ is exposed when you realize the Self is not the ‘I’.+



As a person perceiving the world, one thinks he is born in this world and the world existed prior to him, this conviction makes him physical oriented, thus he views and judges the worldview (three states),  on the physical base. Therefore, his understanding is limited to form, time, and space.

 Deeper Self-search reveals the fact that the ‘Self’ is not you, but the Self is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  If the ‘Self’ is not you, but the ‘Self’ is the Soul, then you have to learn to view and judge the worldview,  on the base of the Soul, which is the Self.

All your present understanding is based on the ego, which is the false self within the false experience (waking).   The world in which you exist is a dualistic illusion. The dualistic illusion is created out of single clay. Knowledge of the single clay is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Thus, it is necessary to realize your existence is merely an illusion because the world in which you exist is a dualistic illusion created out of single stuff, which is consciousness. 

Realize the consciousness as the ultimate truth to overcome the dualistic illusion. Stick to consciousness as the ultimate truth the illusion will fade away when your conviction becomes firm.  

From the standpoint of the Soul the ‘Self’ there is no second thing that exists other than itself. The unreal nature of the ‘I’ is exposed when you realize the Self is not the ‘I’.

The ‘I’ is present in the form of the mind. The mind is present in the form of the universe. The universe appears as the waking or the dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality). From the standpoint of the Soul, the Self, the waking also is as unreal as a dream. 

If the waking experience is as unreal as a dream, then the world in which you exist, which is present only in the waking experience is as unreal as the dream.

All three states are created out of single stuff and that single stuff is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Knowledge of the Soul is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. 

If you drop all your accumulated knowledge, then Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana becomes easy to assimilate. Perfect understanding of ‘what is what' leads to Advaitic Self-awareness.
:

The world in which you exist is within the dualistic illusion and all your experiences are happenings within the dualistic illusion. 
Until you think of the Self as ‘I’, you are bound to be in the realm of the dualistic illusion. The dualistic illusion is created out of single clay. That single clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.
The Soul, the Self is the fullness of consciousness without the illusory division of form, time, and space. 

Until the form, time and space are accepted as reality the world in which you exist prevails as a reality. If the world in which you exist prevails as reality then the experience of your birth, life, death, and the world remains a reality. 

If the experience of your birth, life, death, and the world remains as a reality then ‘I’ prevails as a reality. If the ‘I’ prevails as a reality the ignorance will not vanish.
Perfect understanding of what is what leads you to realize, that the world in which you exist is created out of single clay. Knowledge of the single clay is the only weapon to get rid of ignorance. :~Santthosh Kumaar 

God is not different from Atman nor Atman is different from God.+



First, one has to realize what God is supposed to be. Without knowing what God is in truth, truth-realization or God-realization is impossible.  God is not different from Atman nor Atman is different from God.  

The God in truth is only Atman, the innermost Self.   In reality,  there is no duality, no differentiation. Only Atman exists.

The Vedas confirm God is Atman (Spirit), the Self.

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman (Soul or Spirit) is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman, the Self. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

Rig-Veda 1-164-46 and Y.V 32-1 clearly mention that God is “One”.

Rig Veda declares God is ‘ONE’ and God is Atman, then why believe and worship in place of real God.

Brihad Upanishad: ~ “If you think there is another entity, whether man or God there is no truth."

Yajurveda – chapter- 32:~ God is Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ (idol) or material shape. God cannot be seen directly by anyone. God pervades all beings and all directions. 

Thus,   Idolatry does not find any support from the Vedas.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: ~ Brahman (God) is in the form of the Athma, and it is indeed Athma itself.

Sage Sankara: ~"That which permeates all, which nothing transcends and which, like the universal space around us, fills everything completely from within and without, that Supreme non-dual Brahman  (God in truth)."
 Bhagavad Gita: ~ Brahmano hi pratisthaham ~ Brahman (God) is considered the all-pervading consciousness (Spirit),  which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material. (14.27).
When Bhagavad Gita says, God is considered the all-pervading consciousness (Spirit) which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material then nothing has to be accepted as God other than consciousness. 

Lord Krishna says Ch ~V: ~Those who know the Self in truth.". The last two words (tattvataha) are usually ignored by pundits, but they make all the difference between the ordinary concept of God and the truth about God.

The dualistic worship of "God” is only for the ignorant populace. The God in truth is only Atman, the Self.   In reality,  there is no duality, no differentiation. Only Atman exists.

Thus, truth realization is Self-realization. The Self-realization is God-realization.  God-realization itself is real worship.  

Remember:~

Bhagavad Gita Chapter: ~ “All those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires, they worship many Gods. (7- Verse -20)

The Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: "He who worships the deities as entities entirely separate from him does not know the truth. For the Gods, he is like a pasu (beast)". (1. 4. 10)


Max Müller says: ~ “The religion of the Veda knows no idols; the worship of idols in India is a secondary formation, a degradation of the more primitive worship of ideal Gods."


Hindus are idol worshipers of the large numbers of Gods and Goddesses whereas Vedas declares God is ‘ONE’ and that God is Atman. 

Chandogya Upanishad: ~ ekam evadvitiyam ~ God is only one without a second. (6- Section- 2- Verse- 1)

According to Vedas the Atman the innermost ‘Self’’, is God.


Shiv is not Vedic God. All the Gods and Goddesses with form, name, and attributes belong to Hinduism, not of the Vedic religion or Santana dharma 


God and Goddesses are religious concepts. Whatever seen, known, believed and experienced as a person within the dualistic illusion (world) is a falsehood. 


Thus, it refers to a formless and attributeless God, which is the Atman (Soul), the innermost ‘‘Self’’ within the false experience. Thus, it indicates clearly all the Gods with form and attributes are mere imagination based on the false ‘‘Self’’. Thus, Atman or the Soul, the'Self’ is God in truth.


The Vedas do not talk about idol worship. In fact, till about 2000 years ago followers of Vedism never worshiped idols. Idol worship was started by the followers of Buddhism and Jains. There is logic to idol worship. Vedas speak of one God that is the supreme ‘‘Self’’ in i.e. Atman or Soul but Hinduism indulges in worshiping 60 million Gods.


It indicates clearly all the Gods with form and attributes are mere imagination based on the false self.


The Vedas as a body of scripture contains many contradictions and they are fragmentary in nature. For Hindus, scriptures like the Bhagavad-Gita, Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas are more attractive and appealing than the Vedas. And also the Gods and Goddesses they worship differ considerably from the Vedic ones. The collection of hymns called Vedas is written in praise of certain deities by poets over several centuries does not seem to have much significance for the Hindus.


Yajur Veda says: ~


Translation 1


They enter darkness, those who worship natural things (for example air, water, sun, moon, animals, fire, stone, etc).


They sink deeper into darkness those who worship sambhuti. (Sambhuti means created things, for example, table, chair, idol, etc.) (Yajurveda 40:9)


Translation 2


Deep into the shade of blinding gloom fall asambhuti's worshippers. They sink to darkness deeper yet who on sambhuti are intent." (Yajurveda Samhita by Ralph T. H. Griffith pg 538)


Translation 3


"They are enveloped in darkness, in other words, are steeped in ignorance and sunk in the greatest depths of misery who worship the uncreated, eternal prakrti -- the material cause of the world -- in place of the All-pervading God, But those who worship visible things born of the prakrti, such as the earth, trees, bodies (human and the like) in place of God are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time." (Yajurveda 40:9.)


So, Yajur Veda says: ~


They sink deeper in darkness those who worship sambhuti. (Sambhuti means created things, for example, table, chair, idol, etc. (Yajurveda 40:9)


Those who worship visible things born of the prakrti, such as the earth, trees, bodies (human and the like) in place of God are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time." (Yajurveda 40:9.)


Rig-Veda clearly mentions that God is “One”.  
Rig Veda declares God is ‘ONE’ and that God is Atman, then why to believe and worship anything else in place of real God.

Thus, Atman the innermost ‘‘Self’’, is God. Thus,  Self-realization is real worship.  Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is necessary to get realization. 


To acquire Self -knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana, the seeker has to realize his inherited religion is adulterated in the past and it becomes a great obstacle is realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman. 


The seeker's aim is the search for the Ultimate Truth or Brahman. The search to find the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth that in actuality never was lost, only hidden.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

Why worship and glorify the GURUS and YOGIS (human form) in place of God when Veda bar such activities.+



Vedas bars human worship:~ 

Yajur Veda

Translation "They are enveloped in darkness, in other words, are steeped in ignorance and sunk in the greatest depths of misery who worship the uncreated, eternal Prakriti -- the material cause of the world -- in place of the All-pervading God, But those who worship visible things born of the Prakriti, such as the earth, trees, bodies (human and the like) in place of God are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time."- (Yajur Veda 40:9.)

Then why worship and glorify the GURUS and YOGIS (human form) in place of God when Veda bars such activities and also warns people who indulge in such activities are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time

The Guru and disciple and the world, in which they exist,  are created out of single clay. That single clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  The consciousness is the cause of the world and it itself is uncaused.  From the standpoint of the Soul, the innermost Self the world in which we exist is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.   

Worshipping whatever belongs to the illusion keeps us in ignorance. Till ignorance is there we will not be able to realize the truth, which is hidden within the form, time, and space but it is beyond the form, time, and space.   

Vedas say not to worship anything, which belongs to the illusion, in place of the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness, which is the real God.  

The Vedas confirm God is Atman (Spirit), the Self.

Yajurveda – chapter- 32:~  God is Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ (idol) or material shape. God cannot be seen directly by anyone. God pervades all beings and all directions. Thus, Idolatry does not find any support from the Vedas.

Rig Veda: ~ 'Prajnanam Brahma'- Consciousness is the ultimate reality or Brahman or God in truth.

Do not accept any other God other than the Soul. The Soul is God in truth,  Nothing is real but the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Nothing matters but realizing God in truth. God in truth is everywhere and in everything. Let these words be inscribed in your subconscious.

God in truth is hidden by the illusory universe. God in truth alone is real and eternal and all else is an illusion.

Brahman is merely a word to indicate the ultimate truth or God in truth.  The ultimate truth itself is God in truth. 

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman (Soul or Spirit) is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman, the Self. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)
Rig-Veda 1-164-46 and Y.V 32-1 clearly mention that God is “One”.
Rig Veda declares God is ‘ONE’ and God is Atman, then why believe and worship in place of real God.
Even Upanishads confirm God is Atma:  

Brihad Upanishad: ~ “If you think there is another entity, whether man or God there is no truth."

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: ~ Brahman (God) is in the form of the Athma, and it is indeed Athma itself.
Even the Bhagavad Gita: ~ Brahmano hi pratisthaham ~ Brahman (God) is considered the all-pervading consciousness (Spirit), which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material. (14.27).
When Bhagavad Gita says, God is considered the all-pervading consciousness (Spirit) which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material then nothing has to be accepted as God other than consciousness. 

Lord Krishna Says Ch ~V: ~ “Those who know me in truth.". The last two words (tattvataha) are usually ignored by pundits, but they make all the difference between the ordinary concept of God and the truth about God.

The dualistic worship of "God” is only for the ignorant populace. The God in truth is only Atman, the innermost Self.   In reality, there is no duality, no differentiation. Only Atman exists.

Sage Sankara’s Supreme Brahman (God) is impersonal, Nirguna (without Gunas or attributes), Nirakara (formless), Nirvisesha (without special characteristics), immutable, eternal, and Akarta (non-agent). The Nirguna Brahman of Sage  Sankara is impersonal.
It is above all needs and desires. It is always the Witnessing Subject. It can never become an object as it is beyond the reach of the senses. Brahman is non-dual, one without a second. It has no other besides it. It is destitute of difference, either external or internal. Brahman cannot be described because the description implies a distinction. Brahman cannot be distinguished from any other than It. In Brahman, there is not the distinction of substance and attribute. Sat-Chit-Ananda constitutes the very essence or Svarupa of Brahman, and not just Its attributes. The Nirguna Brahman of Sage  Sankara is impersonal.
Sage Sankara: ~"That which permeates all, which nothing transcends and which, like the universal space around us, fills everything completely from within and without, that Supreme non-dual Brahman  (God in truth)."

Self-realization itself is the Truth realization, truth realization is God-realization. Thus, Self-realization itself is real worship.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

Sage Sankara says:~ Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae) and medicines to such a one? +



Mundaka Upanishad: ~ The study of the Vedas, linguistics, Rituals, astronomy, and all the arts can be called lower knowledge. The higher Is that which leads to Self-realization. The eye cannot see it; the mind cannot grasp it. The deathless 'Self' has neither caste nor race, neither eyes nor ears nor hands nor feet. Sages say this Self is infinite in the great And in the small, everlasting and changeless, The source of life.

Ish Upanishad says:~Those people who have neglected the attainment of Self-knowledge have thus committed suicide.

Sage  Sankara says:~  Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae), and medicines to such a one?

For one who wants to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana, the mantas will not help to realize the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae), and medicines to such a one?

Let erudite scholars quote all the scripture, let Gods be invoked through sacrifices, let elaborate rituals be performed, let personal Gods be propitiated---yet, without the realization of one‘s identity with the Self, there shall be no liberation for the individual, not  even in the lifetimes of a hundred Brahmas put together

A sickness of not cured by saying the word “medicine.” You must take the medicine. Liberation does not come by merely saying the word “Brahman.” Brahman must be experienced. Until you allow this apparent universe to dissolve from your consciousness until you have realized Brahman, how can you find liberation just by saying the word Brahman? The result is merely noise. Until a man has destroyed his enemies and taken possession of the splendor and wealth of the kingdom, he cannot become a king by simply saying “I am a king.”

A buried treasure is not uncovered by merely uttering the words: “Come forth.” You must follow the right directions, dig, remove the stones and earth from above it, and then make it your own. In the same way, the pure truth of the Atman, which is buried under Maya and the effects of Maya, can be reached by meditation, contemplation, and other spiritual disciplines but never by subtle arguments.

Mundaka Upanishad condemns rituals:~  The Para or Higher knowledge is the knowledge of the Supreme Being while the Apara or Lower Knowledge is that of following sacrificial rites and ceremonies. (1/2/ 1 – 6)

As per the scriptures, the three "Ashrams" or stages in life were originally intended for three grades of intelligence thus:

v             Religion: low intellects had to do 'karmas' works, ritual actions, chanting of mantras and indulging in bhajans and prayers, etc.

v             Middle intellects:  Yoga: taking yellow robes, going to caves, ashrams, etc.

v             High intellects: wisdom who wanted the truth is concerned with no external rites no prayers or sanyasa but depend solely on the Soulcentric reasoning for their path.

Thus, the seeker has to choose his path,  according to his choice.  Without an intense urge to know the truth and sharpness to grasp the truth, it is difficult to tread the path of wisdom never mix different paths with each other, and make a cocktail because it leads to all sorts of doubts and confusion.  

Katha Upanishad says:~ Fools dwelling in darkness, but thinking themselves wise and erudite, go round and round, by various tortuous paths, like the blind led by the blind. (Ch~ II-5 P-14) 
Sage Sankara: ~   VC Neither sacred baths nor any amount of charity nor even Hundreds of pranayamas* can give us the knowledge about our own Self.  The firm experience of the nature of the Self is seen to proceed from inquiry along the lines of the salutary advice of the wise. (13) 
Sage  Sankara says:~ The scriptures dealing with rituals, and rewards are therefore addressed to an ignorant person. Thus, the rituals are meant for ignorant people.

Sage Sankara: ~ "Though I wear these robes of a Sanyasin, it is only for the sake of bread."

~ This shows he was wearing the religious robe only for the sake of bread." Thus, it means those who are wearing religious robes for the sake of bread.

All the rituals based on the false belief of Gods will not yield any fruits and they are meant for the ignorant populace who are unable to grasp the God beyond the form, time, and space.

One of Sage Sankara’s missions was to wean people away from a ritualistic approach advocated by Mimamsakas and to project wisdom (jnana) as the means of liberation in the light of Upanishad teachings.

Sage Sankara criticized severely the ritualistic attitude and those who advocated such practices. However, the orthodox texts that combined rituals with wisdom (jnana_karma_samucchaya) more in favor of the Mimamsaka position came into vogue, projecting Sage Sankara as the rallying force of the doctrine.

 Sage Sankara:~ (11) As regards the rituals, Sage Sankara says, the person who performs rituals and aspires for rewards will view himself in terms of the caste into which he is born, his age, and the stage of his life, his standing in society, etc. In addition, he is required to perform rituals all through his life. However, the 'Self' has none of those attributes or tags. Hence, the person who superimposes all those attributes on the changeless, eternal Self and identifies the Self with the body is a confusing one for the other and is, therefore, an ignorant person. The scriptures dealing with rituals, rewards, etc. are therefore addressed to an ignorant person. -Adhyasa Bhashya 

Sage Sankara:~ (11.1) This ignorance (mistaking the body for Self) brings in its wake a desire for the well-being of the body, aversion for its disease or discomfort, fear of its destruction, and thus a host of miseries(anartha). This anartha is caused by projecting karthvya (“doer” sense) and bhokthavya (object) on the Atman. Sankara calls this adhyasa. The scriptures dealing with rituals, rewards, etc. are, therefore, he says, addressed to an ignorant person. -Adhyasa Bhashya 

Sage Sankara:~ (11.2) In short, a person who engages in rituals with the notion “I am an agent, doer, thinker”, according to Sage Sankara, is ignorant, as his behavior implies a distinct, separate doer/agent/knower; and an object that is to be done/achieved/known. That duality is Avidya, an error that can be removed by Vidya. -Adhyasa Bhashya 

Sage Sankara: ~ (12) Sage Sankara affirming his belief in one eternal unchanging reality (Brahman) and the illusion of plurality, drives home the point that Upanishads deal not with rituals but with the knowledge of the Absolute (Brahma Vidya) and the Upanishads give us an insight into the essential nature of the Self which is identical with the Absolute, the Brahman. -Adhyasa Bhashya 

No conceptual God can exist, apart from consciousness.  People are not aware of the fact that there is no individual God that can exist, apart from the Soul, which is in the form of consciousness. 

Thus the Soul or consciousness is the Self.   If there is no consciousness, then there is no physical body, no ego, no universe, no religion, and no conceptual God.:~Santthosh Kumaar