Q : Swamiji , how is āgama- śastra different from spirituality ?
A : Vedas are the śruti-grantha – the primary source of knowledge revealed by the Lord himself . Smṛti-grantha are born of human origins - written by Āchāryas or Rishīs . All granthas (text) are derived from the Vedas . The Vedas consists of two portions : the first portion is called karma-kanda and the second portion is the jñāna-kanda .
Āgama-śastra is found in the karma-kanda . It deals with temple
structure , symbolism and temple worship including various rituals ,
hymns and etc. Spirituality is the pursuit of self-knowledge which makes
an individual see himself as a complete person , non-separate from
Ishvara and the creation .
The differences between āgama- śastra and spirituality are :
(1) In āgama- śastra , no vicara (enquiry) is involved . Whatever that is mandated is obeyed . There is no significance in questioning about it . In contrast , spirituality involves vicara . The words of the Upanishads (jñāna-kanda) are to be reflected upon and assimilated as one’s way of life .
(2) The end results of karma-kanda (āgama- śastra) is finite . A specific ritual gives a specific benefit . Since the wishlist of a human is endless , the search is also endless . The basic desire to become free from all wants is not fulfilled in the pursuit of karma-kanda . Whereas , the end result of jñāna-kanda ( spirituality ) is infinite (moksha) . It is the discovery that you are a complete person , a satisfied person free from a life of becoming (samsara) . It is realising that “ I am the total ” . Since the total is infinite , the result is therefore infinite .
If the rituals and worship mentioned in the āgama- śastra are done with the proper attitude , it will help the doer (kartā) gain a composed mind (citta-śuddhi) . Citta- śuddhi prepares one to become a jñāna-yogyata – an eligible person for enquiry .
The differences between āgama- śastra and spirituality are :
(1) In āgama- śastra , no vicara (enquiry) is involved . Whatever that is mandated is obeyed . There is no significance in questioning about it . In contrast , spirituality involves vicara . The words of the Upanishads (jñāna-kanda) are to be reflected upon and assimilated as one’s way of life .
(2) The end results of karma-kanda (āgama- śastra) is finite . A specific ritual gives a specific benefit . Since the wishlist of a human is endless , the search is also endless . The basic desire to become free from all wants is not fulfilled in the pursuit of karma-kanda . Whereas , the end result of jñāna-kanda ( spirituality ) is infinite (moksha) . It is the discovery that you are a complete person , a satisfied person free from a life of becoming (samsara) . It is realising that “ I am the total ” . Since the total is infinite , the result is therefore infinite .
If the rituals and worship mentioned in the āgama- śastra are done with the proper attitude , it will help the doer (kartā) gain a composed mind (citta-śuddhi) . Citta- śuddhi prepares one to become a jñāna-yogyata – an eligible person for enquiry .
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