"One without a Second” that is the Advaita.+

Advaita is not a religion. Advaita is not philosophy. Advaita is not yoga. Advaita is the nature of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Advaita is the Soul itself. Advaita is the ultimate truth. Advaita is Brahman. Advaita is God, the one without the second.

The word ‘One’ is not understood anywhere except in the Advaitic path. ‘One’ always means two when analyzed. Hence, the Upanishads are careful to show they do not mean this monism, but "One without a Second” that is the Advaita. No philosophers of the world have seen this point. Monism is really a pseudo-monism that is the duality.

Unless one realizes the Soul as the  Self, as it really is” it is impossible to realize the non-dualistic or Advaitic truth.  

In a lecture on Vedanta, delivered at Lahore on the 12th November 1897, Swami, Vivekananda asserted the superiority of Advaita in the following way: ~

Swami, Vivekananda:~ The same God whom the ignorant man saw outside nature, the same whom the little-knowing man saw as interpenetrating the universe, and the same whom the sage realizes as his own Self, as the whole universe itself-all are One and the same Being, the same entity seen from different standpoints, seen through different glasses of Maya, I perceived by different minds, and all the difference was caused by that. Not only so, but one view must lead to the other... Thus, you can see that this~ (Advaita) and this alone, and none else, can be the only scientific religion. . . . let us take the ignorant by the hand, lead them always step by step just as they can go, and know that every step in religious growth in India has been progressive. The Complete Works, Vol. 3, pp. 423, 424.

In the scientific field of knowledge, one can bank on discoveries of different scientists. Newton discovered the law of gravity and Einstein formulated the principle of relativity. And scientists take it for granted that these principles are valid. It is not so in pursuit of truth. If one sage discovers the ultimate truth, it cannot be accepted blindly by the seeker without verification.

The seeker has to discover a fresh on his own to realize’ what is the truth’ and ‘what is not the truth’ and accept only the truth and mentally drop the untruth. Thus, constant reflection on the subject is very much necessary in the pursuit of truth.

The dualist says: - the consciousness and mind are co-eternal. Each is independent o of others; each represents one complimentary aspect of reality. While the mind is present the consciousness is absent. It is through collaboration between these two aspects of reality that evolution takes place. Apart from these two aspects of reality, the realists or dualists do not recognize the ultimate reality transcending these, serving as the base of these.

Remember:~

From the dualistic perspective the world in which we exist as a reality. From the non-dualistic perspective, the world in which we exist is an illusion.

First, the seeker has to know ‘what is the mind” What is the substance of the mind? And ‘what is the source of the mind? , in order to realize ‘what is what’?

The mind is present in the form of the universe. The universe appears as waking or dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality). Thus, a perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is necessary to realize that form, time, and space are an illusion created out of single stuff.

The purpose of the spiritual pursuit is to realize the whole world in, which we exist, is created out of single stuff. And that single stuff is the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness. The Soul is the Self.

From the standpoint of the Soul,  the Self, the world in which we exist is an illusion.

Nothing can be independent of consciousness because no second thing exists other than consciousness. The whole universe without form, time, and space is consciousness. Without the form, time, and space there is no universe but it is only the formless non-dual consciousness. But this truth has to be grasped to assimilate and realize the true essence of non-duality.

The ultimate conclusion is this there is no second thing that exists other than consciousness. Everything is consciousness. Thus, diversity has no value in light of wisdom. Thus, recognizing the world is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness brings unity in diversity. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

All the religions of the world are based on the dualistic perspective. Whatever is based on the dualistic perspective is not spirituality.+

The world in which you exist is the product of ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of experiencing duality as reality.

The duality is present in the form of the mind.

The mind is present in the form of the universe.

The universe appears as waking or dream (duality) and disappears as deep sleep (nonduality).

The duality (universe or waking) is an illusion from the ultimate standpoint. 

All the thoughts, words,   feelings, attachments including you and your experience of the world are part of the dualistic illusion. The dualistic illusion (universe) is created out of single stuff. That single stuff is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  

The Soul is the innermost self.    From the standpoint of the Soul, the innermost self no second thing exists other than consciousness. 

For the dualists,   the world in which we exist is a reality.  The dualists are based on the ego. Their knowledge and dualistic philosophy are egocentric.  For the dualists, the experience of birth, life, death, and the world is a reality.  

All the religions of the world are based on the dualistic perspective. Whatever is based on the dualistic perspective is not spirituality.  Even the orthodox Advaita is also based on the dualistic perspective, therefore, it is nothing to do with Sage Sankara’s Advaitic wisdom.

For nondualists, the world in which we exist is an illusion.  The Nondualists are based on the Soul, the Self.  The knowledge and nondualistic philosophy are based on the Soul, the Self.

The seeker has to learn to view the worldview from the non-dualistic perspective, to realize Advaita (Soul) hidden by the illusory Dvaita (the world).  

The look of the world in which we exist will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the world in which we exist (object), observed and experienced.  The commoner viewing the world will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same world. Each one interprets the world that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego, therefore, he sees the world in which he exists as a reality, whereas a Gnani sees everything as the consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul or the consciousness (subject). Thus, all the objective observation has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

Only from the dualistic perspective, the changes take place. From the non-dualistic perspective, there are no changes.  Those who believe in the dualistic world as a reality feel the knowledge changes from time to time but they must realize their knowledge is limited to the form, time, and space whereas Self-knowledge is the knowledge of the beyond the form, time, and space.

The change is possible only in ignorance. Ignorance is the cause of experiencing the world which exists as a reality.   Consciousness is the cause of the world in which we exist and it itself is uncaused.

The world in which we exist is dependent on the consciousness for its existence but the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, is independent.  From the standpoint of the Soul, the innermost Self, the world in which we exist is merely an illusion.

 Only within the illusion the changes take place, the illusory changes within the illusion are bound to be an illusion. In reality, consciousness alone is real and eternal. Thus, the knowledge of the eternal will be always eternal. The intellectual knowledge based on form, time, and space is bound to change from time to time as science progresses in its dualistic inventions.     

The consciousness is ever changeless because it is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. 

Sage Sankara’s wisdom is not teaching or philosophy but Advaita is the universal wisdom. Advaitic wisdom is neither a teaching nor a theory but it is mere guidance to those who are seriously seeking the ultimate truth or Brahman. Grasp the ultimate truth anytime, any age, if the seeker has the spiritual maturity and capacity to grasp it. 

Sage Sankara says: ~ VC-47   All the effects of ignorance, root, and branch, are burnt down by the fire of knowledge, which arises from discrimination between these two—the Self and the not-Self.

It really depends on his inborn natural capacity to understand and assimilate it.  Sage Sri, Sankara’s wisdom is a Self-examiner, to test oneself to discover how near to Gnana he has approached and what progress has already been made on the path, and what still remains to be done.  It sets up a criterion for Self-judgement.   There are millions in search of truth but one in million will be able to grasp it.

Without Sage Sankara, there is no Advaita (nonduality).  Since it was mixed up with orthodoxy there is a lot of confusion. I am highlighting all the obstacles, which are blocking one from realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman. There are so many non-dualistic masters of the east and also from the west who expound Advaitic or non-dualistic knowledge but none of them are helpful to reach the ultimate end.

One has to know and realize his innermost Self is Soul and identify it as his true identity to find liberation from the bondage of the illusion of birth, life, death, and the world(duality).   The goal of our life is to find and realize our identity with our Soul, which is our Self. 

Sage Sankara said:~ Neither by the practice of yoga nor philosophy, nor by good works nor by learning, does liberation come, but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one in no other way. (1) Vivekachoodamani v 56, pg. 25

To come to a more precise understanding of what non-duality is or might mean, we must return to the original linguistic and philosophic backgrounds from which the word has been translated into English.

 If we limit a probe of the meaning of non-duality to Hindu Sanskrit literature, we find that the most frequently used term is “Advaita.

Advaita” is not a religious concept.  Advaita is the nature of the existence hidden by form, time, and space.   The seeker has to attempt to rule out from the start a false understanding of reality by perfect understanding of ‘what is what’.

The Advaita is hidden by the dvaita. Advaita is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Dvaita is the universe.

Advaita is basically a denial; it is literally the negation of the dvaita.  That means whatever remains by negating the universe by realizing the universe is created out of single clay and that clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness, the hidden truth by dvaita uncovered.  Consciousness is the cause of the universe and it itself is uncaused.:~Santthosh Kumaar 

Mentally you must imbibe Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara.+

Humanity has to awaken to the reality of its true existence by realizing the world in which humanity exists is merely an illusion created out of the consciousness through Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana frees the Soul, the innermost Self from the cage of the dualistic illusion.

Sage Sankara says ~ VC-162- There is no liberation for a person of mere book knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

The Soul is the Self. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is indestructible and inseparable from itself because it is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.  Consciousness pervades in everything and everywhere in all three states.

The Soul the   Self is ever free from all taint.  The mind exists as an illusion within the Soul, the  Self.  Thus, the Soul or consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or  God in truth.

Thus, consciousness is God and God pervades everything and everywhere in all three states.   Thus, the mystic claim that ‘I AM GOD’ is incorrect because God is not an individual because God pervades everything and everywhere in all three states.  Thus, there is no God but God in truth.

Thus, one has to realize the individual God propagated by the belief systems is mere imaginary Gods based on the false self within the false experience.

Verily the Soul the Self is all, free from differentiation and non-differentiation because it is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.  Neither can it be said, It is” not nor “It is not." It is a great mystery.

This is the whole substance of ultimate understanding.  Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is based on the Soul, the Self, whereas all other Knowledge is based on the ego. Whatever is based on the ego is bound to be a falsehood.

Remember:~

Don’t bother about anything other than the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Only stick to the Soul, the ultimate truth, or Brahman or God in truth.  mentally Don’t let go of your hold on the Soul under any circumstances.

Unless and until ignorance is removed and  Self -Knowledge is gained, the world in which we exist will prevail as reality. Therefore, there is a need to know how this world came into existence.

The Soul, which we do not see, we say is real; and the world, which we do see, we say is false.

In Self-awareness,  what exists for us does not really exist; and what does not exist for us, really exists.

The ignorance creates the division of illusory form, time, and space in the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.  

The universe is based on illusory form, time, and space. without this illusory division of the form, time, and space within consciousness, the universe ceases to exist.

The illusory division of form, time, and space creates divisions based upon sex, race, nationality, religion or caste, and creed.

Remember:~

Mentally you must imbibe the Advaitic Truth of Sage Sankara.

Mentally you must shed ignorance and get disentangled from the myth propagated by the religious myth.

Mentally you must shed all the accumulated egocentric knowledge and get disentangled from the religious conditioning.

Mentally you must shed prejudices and get disentangled from the superficial distinctions.

Mentally you must tread the Atmic path to the formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. the path to the Soul, the real God,  One without the second. ...

When you enthrone the Soul, the one without the second mentally, you do not necessarily put an end to the game of dualistic life. You have to play your illusory role in the dualistic illusion without being caught up in duality play by remaining in this world, not of this world.  Unity in the midst of its diversity.  

The Soul is One and all divisions are imaginary. Be ye established in this eternal Truth

The Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness is an undivided and indivisible Ocean.  

The Atman, the Self cannot be experienced, because the experience is possible only in the realm of duality. Atman is prior to any experience. In Self-awareness,   there is neither experience nor experiencer. 

In Self-awareness, the body, ego, and the world are not considered different from consciousness. Thus, the whole universe (form, time, and space) in which we exist is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness. Thus,  consciousness alone is real all else is merely an illusion created out of consciousness.   ~ Santthosh Kumaar

The seeker must get rid of this ‘I know attitude’ to realize the truth, which is hidden by the ignorance.+

Bhagavad Gita says: ~ Among thousands of men, scarcely one strives for perfection; and of those who strive and succeed, scarcely one knows the ‘Self’ in truth.

The path of wisdom attracts only those who are in search of truth and they appreciate it greatly. The ignorant are not spiritually matured they receive Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The ignorant indulge in argument and provocation and personal attack, which hinders their own realization of the ultimate truth or Brahman.

Skill is required in every field to drive a car or ride a bicycle, a preliminary training is required before a person is allowed to handle the vehicle but in the field of spirituality, the science of the Spirit, the Self, is the most difficult of all sciences.

Sage Sankara says: - VC-47- All the effects of ignorance, root, and branch, are burnt down by the fire of knowledge, which arises from discrimination between these two—the Self and the not-Self.

Sage Sankara says - VC-162- There is no liberation for a person of mere book-knowledge, howsoever well-read in the philosophy of Vedanta, so long as one does not give up the false identification with the body, sense organs, etc., which are unreal.

Yoga Vasistha says:~ Self-knowledge or knowledge of truth is not had by resorting to a Guru (preceptor) nor by the study of scripture, nor by good works: it is attained only by means of inquiry inspired by the company of wise (Gnani). One’s inner light alone is the means, naught else. When this inner light is kept alive, it is not affected by the darkness of inertia.

Everyone thinks himself as Guru and he is competent because ~

He has mastered the scriptures.

or

He has studied under a famous Guru

or

He has performed all religious rituals and led orthodox oriented life and he has accumulated good karmas.

or

He has got a Ph.D. in world philosophy from a famous university

or

He is a scientist but he is well versed in Vedas.

or

He is the disciple of the famous Guru

or

He has done penance in the Himalayas.

or

He has stayed without food for years

or

He has renounced worldly life and takes sanyasa

or

He has done lots of charity

 or

He is well-versed in tantra and he got enlightenment through sex

or

His Guru given him the power of transmitting enlightenment to others

or 

He is a hata yogi

None of the above qualifies to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. From the Advaitic perspective, all these things have no value.

Remember:~

This ‘I’ know’ attitude is a great obstacle to acquiring Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. The seeker must get rid of this ‘I know attitude’ to realize the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

Humanity has to awaken to the reality of its true existence by realizing the world in which humanity exists is merely an illusion created out of the consciousness through Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana frees the Soul, the innermost Self from the cage of the dualistic illusion.

People dwelling in ignorance, but thinking themselves wise and erudite, go round and round by various blind beliefs and tortuous paths and practices, like the blind led by the blind.

The truth is very simple, but it is very difficult to grasp because of ignorance. You have to only realize the world in which you exist is created out of single clay. And that single clay is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Thus, you and your body and the world in which you exist are nothing but consciousness because they are merely an illusion created out of consciousness. A perfect understanding of ‘what is what’ is needed.

A Gnani can point at the sky, but the seeing of the star is the seeker's own work.

It is necessary to reflect on the same truth again and again till it becomes a reality. One needs to constantly reflect on the subject until he gets a firm conviction of what is what. Words are needed until one gets a firm conviction of ‘what is what’. People need reading and hearing the words of wisdom to think reason and reflect deeply and reach the ultimate end.

It takes time for the seeker to gain the perfect understanding of ‘what is the truth?’ and ‘’what is untruth?’. It takes time for the Soul, the innermost Self to wake up from the sleep of ignorance, and it takes time for one realizes the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space. :~Santthosh Kumaar

Sage Sankara: ~ Atman, the Self is verily Brahman (God in truth).+

Sage Sankara: ~ Atman, the Self is verily Brahman (God), being equanimous, quiescent, and by nature absolute Existence, Knowledge, and Bliss. Atman is not the body that is non-existence itself. This is called true Knowledge by the wise. 

Sage Sankara says:~ Whatever thing remains eternal is true, and whatever is non-eternal is untrue. Since the world is created and destroyed, it is not true.

Truth is the thing that is unchanging. Since the world is changing, it is not true. Whatever is independent of space and time is true, and whatever has space and time in itself is untrue.

Just as one sees dreams in sleep, he sees a kind of super-dream when he is waking. The world is compared to this conscious dream.

The world is believed to be a superimposition of the Brahman. Superimposition cannot be true.

On the other hand, Sage Sankara says that the world is not absolutely false. It appears false only when compared to Brahman. In the pragmatic state, the world is completely true—which occurs as long as we are under the influence of Maya. The world cannot be both true and false at the same time; hence Sage Sankara has classified the world as indescribable. 

In fact, Sage Sankara states a paradox- the world is and is not. It is neither real nor unreal. It leads us to recognize the existence of Maya (illusion). He thinks that the world is illusory from one perspective and from the second it is nothing but Brahman(God), Itself in manifestation. This apparent world is Maya and has its basis in Brahman, the Eternal. It looks real. It has names and forms and actually, it is not real In the light of true knowledge, it disappears and Self-alone shines as real. However, Sage  Sankara's Mayavada has not been accepted by many preachers and philosophers.

When Sage Sankara says clearly, the universe is not real. He says that Brahman and Atman are one. The ultimate and the Absolute Truth is the Self, which is one though appearing as many in different individuals. The individual has no reality. Only the Soul, the innermost  Self is Real; the rest, mental and physical are but passing appearances, then it indicates the form (waking or duality or mind) is unreal and the formless soul (consciousness or soul) is real.  Therefore, only Atman is real because there is no second thing that exists other than Atman, which is in the form of consciousness.

Only in ignorance, the world in which we exist is an illusion created out of the Soul, the Self. 

The world is both real and unreal. It is real because it is a manifestation of consciousness, but is unreal, in the sense, that it is not absolute and eternal like consciousness itself.

People's approach is more practical, and they stuck with the reality of the world, they take it as real. That is why all the confusion.

The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the world, observed and experienced. The commoner viewing the world will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same world. Each one interprets the world that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego, therefore, experiences the birth, life, death, and the world as a reality, whereas a Gnani sees everything as the consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul or the consciousness. Thus, all the egocentric knowledge has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

The world in which we exist is nothing but an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

The whole universe is nothing but the Soul. Therefore, there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

It is not as if something that was not consciousness suddenly becomes consciousness. Rather, "knowing the truth” means a removal of the ignorance about one's own existence as the consciousness. Thus, to "know the truth” is to "be the consciousness."

Consciousness is ever-present. Without consciousness, the world, in which you exist ceases to exist.   The consciousness is Self-evident. It is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny consciousness because it is the very essence of the one who denies it. Consciousness is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs. Consciousness is everything. Thus, consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman.

·      

Consider scientific logic. A pen is placed in front of a mirror. One can see its reflection. To our eyes, the image of the pen is perceived. Now, what should the image be called? It cannot be true because it is an image. The truth is the pen. It cannot be false because it is seen by our eyes.

The Soul, the Self is Self-evident It is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny the Soul which is present in the form of consciousness because It is the very essence of the one who denies It. The Atman is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs.

 Brahman— The One Without A Second:

The Atman is Self-evident. It is not established by extraneous proofs. It is not possible to deny the Atman because It is the very essence of the one who denies It. The Atman is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs. Self is within, Self is without; Self is before, Self is behind; Self is on the right, Self is on the left; Self is above and Self is below. Brahman is not an object, as it is Adrisya, beyond the reach of the eyes. Hence the Upanishads declare: “Neti Neti—not this, not this....” This does not mean that Brahman is a negative concept, or a metaphysical abstraction, or a nonentity, or a void. It is not another. It is all-full, infinite, changeless, Self-existent, Self-delight, Self-knowledge, and Self-bliss. It is Svarupa, essence. It is the essence of the witness. It is the Seer (Drashta), Transcendent (Turiya), and Silent Witness (Sakshi).

Sage Sankara’s Supreme Brahman is impersonal, Nirguna (without Gunas or attributes), Nirakara (formless), Nirvisesha (without special characteristics), immutable, eternal, and Akarta (non-agent). 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 beside 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 a distinction between 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.

God is not an individual. God is universal God is the cause of this world and it itself is causeless. If God were to be separate he would be Self-less. The Soul is the Self.  The world in which we exist is not different from their essential nature as unlimited Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness is the same.

How can you worship the Absolute? That implies two ~ the worshiper and the worshiped, whereas the Absolute is nondual. One can worship his idea of the Absolute only or realize his unity with it when he can’t worship it as apart.

The Upanishads say in effect that ~ If you believe that the ‘the Soul, the innermost Self’ is one and God (Brahman) is another you cannot understand Truth.

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

Even Rig Veda: ~ The Atman 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)

The religion preaches that God is one and the ways to God are many. It simply tries to lead them to darkness with its dogma and idea of many Gods, which is apart from the Self. 

People all over the world in the past and present accepted the idea of the existence of God.  The fear of God injected by the religion was the root cause of worship, superstitions, and dogmas.  The religious belief is passed on to the populace from one generation to the next generation.

Realizing the single stuff of which this universe in which you exist is made, is Truth realization or Self-realization or God-realization.

When the expression itself is illusory, then the evolution within the illusory expression is bound to be an illusion.  Thus, the evolution theory holds no water from the standpoint of the Soul, the Self

The belief system preaches that God is one and the ways to God are many. It simply tries to lead them to darkness with its dogma and idea of many Gods, which is apart from the Self. :~Santthosh Kumaar 

The scholar’s knowledge is limited to the form, time, and space whereas Gnani's knowledge is of the beyond the form, time, and space.+

Dattatreya's Song of the Avadhut 1.36-42:~ “Non-duality is taught by some; some others teach duality. They don't understand that the all-pervading Reality is beyond both duality and non-duality.

Mundaka Upanishad:~   “ 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)

A Gnani may be illiterate in the dualistic world, a scholar as literate, or a well-educated person in the dualistic world.  The scholar’s knowledge is limited to the form, time, and space whereas  Gnani’s even if he is illiterate his knowledge is beyond the form, time, and space.

Sage Sankara: ~ On Gnani: "The knower of Brahman wears no signs. Gives up the insignia of a monk's life…his signs are not manifest, nor his behavior." 

When the knower of Brahman wears no signs ~ it means he does not identify himself as a Guru or a teacher or a yogi. 

A scholar will go on and on about the immortality of the Soul but when death approaches he will be trembling and weeping and wailing. Scholars, interpretations of sacred texts, the force of religious merit--none of these lead to the realization of that Ultimate Truth or Brahman.   Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana is the knowledge of the immortal Soul, the one and only ‘Self’ of all that exists as an illusion. 

All this talk of immortality will crumble into nothingness because he has not known the knowledge of the Soul, which is immortal.    

A Gnani knows what he is talking about is not an explanation, what he is talking about is the realization of the truth, which is beyond the form, time, and space.

A Gnani shares his joy by sharing his wisdom; he is singing the song about the unsung truth.  Remember whenever a Gnani speaks about God it is not a belief; he knows it, it is his realization. He is talking out of his realization; hence, he can be of immense help to the whole of humanity.

A Gnani always sees the world in which he exists as the Soul without any division of form, time, and space.  And a Gnani watches his own actions as if they were another's.  he is never puffed up by the praise or disturbed by blame.  

As for Gnani, his individuality is dead. It is merged in the Soul like waves in the ocean   A Gnani living in freedom has gone beyond the dualities of life.  

A Gnani is not competing with anyone, he is alike in success and failure and content with whatever comes to him.  He is e free, without Selfish attachments; his attention is fixed in the awareness of the Soul.  

A Gnani performs all practical duties of the practical world like others and he helps other seekers to get rid of the ignorance of their true existence. 

Remember:~ 

Sage Sankara strongly advocated the study of Upanishads, and at the same time cautioned that the study of Upanishad alone would not lead to moksha. In matters such as spiritual attainment, one’s own realization was the sole authority and it cannot be disputed

Sage Sankara also said the study of Upanishad was neither indispensable nor a necessary prerequisite for attaining the human goal, the moksha.

Sage Sankara pointed out; even those who were outside the Upanishad fold were as eligible to moksha as those within the fold were. He declared that all beings are Brahman, and therefore the question of discrimination did not arise. All that one was required to do was to get rid of ignorance (Avidya or duality).

That is why Sage Sankara says: ~ VC 56. Neither by Yoga, nor by Sankhya, nor by good work, nor by learning, but by the realization of one's identity with Brahman is Liberation possible, and by no other means.

58. Loud speech consisting of a shower of words, the skill in expounding the Scriptures, and likewise erudition - these merely bring on a little personal enjoyment to the scholar but are no good for Liberation.

59. The study of the Scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.

60. The Scriptures consisting of many words are a dense forest that merely causes the mind to ramble. Hence, men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the Self.

61. 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?

62. A disease does not leave off if one simply utters the name of the medicine, without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.

63. Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the Self, how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word Brahman? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.

64. Without killing one’s enemies, and possessing oneself of the splendor of the entire surrounding region, one cannot claim to be an emperor by merely saying, ‘I am an emperor’.

65. As a treasure hidden underground requires (for its extraction) competent instruction, excavation, the removal of stones and other such things lying above it and (finally) grasping, but never comes out by being (merely) called out by name, so the transparent truth of the Self, which is hidden by Maya and its effects, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman, followed by reflection, meditation and so forth, but not through perverted arguments.

66. Therefore, the wise should, as in the case of disease and the like, personally strive by all the means in their power to be free from the bondage of repeated births and deaths.

Then there is no need for the scriptures, religion, and idea of God. One has to be more rational to realize the Advaitic truth, which is the ultimate truth or scientific truth.:~Santthosh Kumaar