It was good that there was no rationalism during the days of Adi Shankarachaya and Samarth Ramdas Swami. Else, the rationalists would have opposed children to leave their homes and go to reside in Ashrams to perform spiritual practice. Consequently, the world would have permanently missed out on their supreme knowledge.
– Sachchidananda Parabrahman (Dr) Jayant Athavale