यावानर्थ उदपाने सर्वत: सम्प्लुतोदके | तावान्सर्वेषु वेदेषु ब्राह्मणस्य विजानत: || 46 || |
|---|
“To the knower of Brahman, all the Vedas are of no more utility than a reservoir when there is a flood from all directions.”
Commentary
In Sanskrit, Vedas literally mean Knowledge. To the self-realized yogi, the reservoir of vedic knowledge does not carry much relevance when the flood of cosmic knowledge is pouring into his being continuously.
Vedic scriptures are deeply symbolic and carry meanings not apparent to a superficial scholar. Few Vedic stanzas, on the surface, deal with methods for developing the sattvic, rajasic or tamasic qualities. The common man who seeks only the exoteric/ritualistic aspects of the Vedas that primarily address the three qualities of the world is subject to reincarnation. For instance, if a man employs certain Vedic chants in order to possess wealth, his success in that aim will establish in his consciousness a desire for more wealth in future. This subconscious desire leads to the development of the activating (rajasic) quality and is the direct cause of another rebirth in which he must work out the unfulfilled desire.
Therefore the knower of God becomes Nirguna, beyond the effects of three qualities, symbolic rituals and their associated desires thereby removing the cause of rebirth forever.