Brahman and Atman are things you can never see. So do not inquire into them.Inquire into the world around you.+

Most of the religious Saints of the past were social reformers, thus, they were more concerned with humanism rather than the truth. Their contribution is very valuable to humanity. Thus, humanism is limited to practical life within the practical world.

The path of love is the path for humanity; therefore, it is the individualized path. Thus, the path of love is limited to the physical structure; it cannot transport one to the ultimate end.

Thus, the seeker has to realize the fact that, from the ultimate standpoint the practical life within the practical world is merely an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Thus, love, hate, and the world, in which you exist, cease to exist as a reality in Self-awareness.

The simple reason is that the average person may have a desire for knowledge, but when the whole society is immersed in the belief system and feels out of place because of societal fear and surrounding circumstances he thinks, it unfits him, to pursue the path of truth.

Upanishads say humanitarian work as the highest; do not know any higher good. That is because, from the ultimate standpoint, the world in which humanity exists is a dualistic illusion. Humanitarian works and services done within the dualistic illusion are bound to be an illusion. Thus, it does not qualify one for Self-realization.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (10) - Ignorant fools, regarding sacrifices and humanitarian works as the highest, do not know any higher good. Having enjoyed their reward on the heights of heaven, gained by good works, they enter again this world or a lower one.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (8) - Fools, dwelling in darkness, but wise in their own conceit and puffed up with vain scholarship, wander about, being afflicted by many ills, like blind men led by the blind.

First Mundaka - Chapter 2 (9) - Children, immersed in ignorance in various ways, flatter themselves, saying: We have accomplished life's purpose. Because these performers of karma do not know the Truth owing to their attachment, they fall from heaven, misery-stricken, when the fruit of their work is exhausted.

Yoga Vasistha: The greatest Gnani: “His state is indescribable yet he will move in the world like anybody else," ..." Though acting after every feeling such as love, hate, fear and the like, he who stands unaffected within is said to be real jivanmukta."

Yoga Vasistha says of the Gnani: "He is a great worker." It also so says, that he keeps his body healthy, and does not starve it.

The essence of Mundaka is: Do not be satisfied with rituals, yoga, etc. which are good in their own way but inquire. Into what? Brahman and Atman are things you can never see. So do not inquire into them. Inquire into the world around you, which you can see. Science tells you it is passing away every second. Everything is dying repeatedly. Where is it going? Thus you follow up your inquiry into what you can lay hands on. How can you inquire into Atma which you cannot see? So first we deal with the known and seen, this inquiry leads up to the unknown in the end.

When Sage Sankara says the world is an illusion, it includes birth, life, and death, which happens within the world. Thus, the seeker's main aim is to mentally trace the formless substance of the illusion, which is also the witness of the illusion. The formless substance and witness of the illusion (world), is the Atman, and this Atman itself is Brahman.

This Brahman cannot be attained by indulging in egocentric religious orthodoxy.

The knower of Brahman is Brahmin, not the Brahmin who indulges in priestcraft, which leads one to utter darkness as per Yajur Veda. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar