Spirituality can never be a subject of research !

Man was created first and science later. Knowledge was created first and man later; hence, Spirituality can never be a subject of research. – Dr. Athavale (4.7.2009)

Commentary by ‘A Scholar’

1. Secret of creation of Knowledge

Knowledge was created from nirgun (Non-materialised) Principles associated with the creation of the universe.

2. Process underlying the creation of Maya
(The Great Illusion) in the form of science through Knowledge

A. Knowledge created action and action created desire.

B. Chetana (Sentience) in elements was activated by Knowledge and the activated chetana began the task of Maya at the level of wish.

C. Emotions originated from Maya. Since man is connected with this source of origin itself, he is considered to be transient or mortal.

D. Through transience, rationalism was created. Through rationalism, science was created.

Cause and effect relationship in the creation of blind faith and its characteristics

1. Rationalism is blind faith

In keeping with the principle ‘There are as many temperaments as there are people’, there were many inventions; however, since man forgot to comprehend the omnipresent God in the form of ‘Time’, he was trapped in the shackles of scientific rationalism (created by himself) and then rationalism became blind faith.

2. Futile scientific way of thinking ruined human life and created demons

Any faith that distances man from God is blind faith. The futile faith in science ruined lives of many. Since the Sattva component in many jivas (Embodied souls) was destroyed, the Raja-Tama components flourished vigorously, and through this process many demons were created. Since these demons provided sense-gratifying life to everyone, man distanced himself from true God.

The reason why H.H. Dr. Athavale says that ‘Spirituality cannot be a subject of research’

Since man is a part of mortal Maya and associated with inertia due to excess of Pruthvitattva (Absolute Earth Principle) in his body, aspects imagined by him based on the universe cannot encompass the infinite ‘Time’ principle of Spirituality and hence, H.H. Dr. Athavale has said that ‘Spirituality cannot be a subject of research’.

Principle of eternity and God’s supremacy

1. It is ridiculous to say ‘I have invented’ what is already in existence

Since Spirituality is associated with the eternal Truth and has been in existence since time immemorial in the universe, it is extremely ridiculous to pursue it, find a new aspect and say that it is an invention.

2. It is absolutely impossible for man, who is a part of Maya, to fully understand God’s universe

If the omnipotent God Himself has made ‘Time’ infinite and stored the all-embracing knowledge at the nirgun level in the universal mind and universal intellect through numerous components, it is absolutely impossible for man, who is a part of Maya, to fully understand God’s universe.

3. There cannot be a greater researcher than omniscient God

There cannot and will not be a greater researcher than omniscient God whose attribute is ‘Time’ and inherent nature is ‘Place’.

4. Limitation of human task and synopsis of H.H. Dr. Athavale’s comments

The above elaboration will help us understand why H.H. Dr. Athavale has said, ‘Since it is impossible for man to understand the nirgun because he is associated with the spacio-temporal natural world, Spirituality cannot be a subject of his research, because it is about the God Principle associated with nirgun’.

Uniqueness of God at all levels

Since God has preserved in Himself a trait that some principles in infinity should be beyond comprehension, there cannot be a greater Creator, Pioneer, Founder, Scholar and Bestower than Him.

Since understanding the nirgun God Principle is possible only for the sagun (Materialised) God, how can man, who is associated with the principle of inertia, understand it ?

– A Scholar (Through the medium of H.H. (Mrs.) Anjali Gadgil, Shravan Shukla Pratipada, Kaliyug Varsh 5111 [22.7.2009], 4.58 p.m.)

Source : Monthly ‘Sanatan Prabhat’