Sage Sankara:~There is no need to study the scriptures in order to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.+

Sages of truth restrained themselves from parting the Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana to the mass and only a selected few. It was hidden from those who were not qualified and receptive to it.

Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana was not written down but was imparted orally to the chosen few. Thus, religion was given to the mass, and knowledge of the Spirit is given to only a selected few. Thus, we find traces of the knowledge of the spirit in the religious books in the form of parables.

Swami Vivekananda: ~ “Advaita encompasses everything. Since Advaita requires heavy-duty intellectualism, it had to be progressively simplified. (From 'The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda)

By mastering scriptures, it is impossible to establish the ‘Self. Scriptures are meant for ignorant people who are in preliminary stages. Scriptures are of no use to establish the ultimate truth of Brahman.

The seeker has to strive for getting certainty, irrefutable proof of ‘Self’ in truth not dogmatic assertion in order to get rid of the ignorance.

Self-knowledge or knowledge of truth is not had by resorting to a Guru nor by the study of scripture, it is attained only by a perfect understanding of ‘what is what.

The scriptures are self-contradictory only you have to pick only those insights which are signposts, which are indicated towards the reality, which is beyond form, time, and space. The subconscious goal of your search is Self- awareness.

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ So called spiritual pundits and learned are called children because a child takes whatever it thinks as truth. The question never occurs to children “Is what I have seen or thought really the truth?" (P.334 line 9)

Scriptures are not needed in the pursuit of truth. Even the Upanishads and the sages of truth say the same.

Ashtavakra: ~ “My child you may speak upon various scriptures or hear the sermons on the scriptures. But you cannot establish in the ‘Self’ unless you forget all. -16-1 – p49

There is no need to study the scriptures in order to acquire Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

The seeker has to self-search for the truth and realize it without the scriptures. And then only when he reads the scriptures he becomes aware the scriptures are also saying the same thing but everything is misinterpreted by the pundits and so-called Gurus because they propagate Advaita from the dualistic perspective.

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained through the study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is the Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 page70upanhsds by Nikilananda)

It means the truth is beyond the scriptures and egocentric intelligence. Thus, in order to grasp, assimilate, and realize the Advaitic truth the seeker employs Soul-centric reasoning, faculty.

That is why Sage Sankara says:~What is accepted without a proper inquiry will not lead a person to the final goal. On the contrary, such acceptance will result only in evil, something which is detrimental to our spiritual progress. (Commentary in the Vedanta Sutra)

Thus, the seeker of truth should not believe blindly in traditional orthodox Advaita without verifying all the facts from every angle. One has to reflect through reasoning over and over again without getting tired of the process.

That is why Sage Sankara says: - VC-58- Loud speech consisting of a shower of words, the skill in expounding the Scriptures, and likewise erudition - these merely bring on a little personal enjoyment to the scholar but are no good for Liberation.

59. The study of the Scriptures is useless so long as the highest Truth is unknown, and it is equally useless when the highest Truth has already been known.

60. The Scriptures consisting of many words are a dense forest that merely causes the mind to ramble. Hence, men of wisdom should earnestly set about knowing the true nature of the Self.

61. For one who has been bitten by the serpent of Ignorance, the only remedy is the knowledge of Brahman. Of what avail are the Vedas and (other) Scriptures, Mantras (sacred formulae), and medicines to such a one?

62. A disease does not leave off if one simply utters the name of the medicine, without taking it; (similarly) without direct realization one cannot be liberated by the mere utterance of the word Brahman.

There is nothing more rational, more intelligible, and more un-dogmatic insights of Sage Sankara is to drop all the theistic non-duality or Advaita which is meant for those who are incapable and not receptive to realize the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar