Mundaka Upanishad: ~ The rituals and the sacrifices described in the Vedas deal with lower knowledge. The sages ignored these rituals and went in search of higher knowledge.+

Sage Sankara pointed out that rituals could in no way bring about wisdom, much less Moksha.

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ The rituals and the sacrifices described in the Vedas deal with lower knowledge. The sages ignored these rituals and went in search of higher knowledge. ... Such rituals are unsafe rafts for crossing the sea of samsara, of birth and death. Doomed to shipwreck are those who try to cross the sea of samsara on these poor rafts. Ignorant of their own ignorance, yet wise In their own esteem, these deluded men Proud of their vain learning go round and round Like the blind led by the blind.

All the scriptures indicate that Atman is Brahman, and Brahman is the ultimate truth. Therefore the Soul, which is in the form of consciousness, is the ultimate truth.  

Thus realizing the ultimate truth is the prime goal.   A well-directed inquiry, analysis, and reasoning will lead one to his nondual destination.  

Self-Realization is the direct realization of the ultimate truth or Brahman or God, in contrast with traditional paths, which are indirect. And the other paths cannot lead to the ultimate destination because they are based on the false ‘Self’, which they hold as the real ‘Self’ and false experience as a reality.  

Sage Goudpada says: ~ the merciful Veda teaches karma and Upasana to people of lower and middling intellect while jnana is taught to those of higher intellect.

 

So they clearly indicate rituals and theories are not meant for those who are searching for higher knowledge or wisdom. The path of wisdom is the only means.

 

All the orthodox Advaitins indulge and immerse themselves in a ritualistic oriented lifestyle and follow the path of karma and Upasana which is meant for lower and middling intellect and not for realizing the Advaitic truth.

Many chose these orthodox scholars as their gurus. But these gurus are good to learn the conceptual Advaita meant for those orthodox who believe their conduct-oriented lifestyle leads to Moksha [liberation]. But the theistic Advaita is not the means to acquire Self –knowledge or non-dualistic or Advaitic wisdom. Those who are seeking truth have to do their own homework in order to acquire Self -knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Remember:~ 

Sage Sankara says rituals and rites such as yajna or fire rituals are meant for the ignorant populace. Sage Sankara asserts that rituals will not prepare the mindset for the journey to Self-knowledge.

Moral, ethics, love compassion, code of conduct, celibacy, karma, sin, temple worship, ancestor worship, heaven, and hell are concerned with the one which is born, lives, and dies in the world. Moral, ethics, love compassion, code of conduct, celibacy, karma, sin, temple worship, ancestor worship, heaven, and hell have nothing to do with the Soul, the Self because it is unborn and eternal. It is unborn eternal because it is ever formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

Religion and yoga prevent seekers from attaining Self- knowledge.

According to Sage Sankara Atman, the unchanging entity itself is the ultimate reality or Brahman. Atman alone is real, while the universe is unreal.

Advaitic wisdom cannot be acquired by scripture mastery, yoga, religion, intellectualism, or performing karmas. :~Santthosh Kumaar