Self-inquiry is for finding out the ‘Self’ which is hidden by the illusory universe, in which we exist.+

Self-inquiry is for finding out the ‘Self’ which is hidden by the illusory universe, in which we exist. 

By inquiring ‘Who am I?’- the ignorance will not vanish. Without getting rid of ignorance, the Advaitic wisdom will not dawn. Without the Advaitic wisdom, it is not possible to realize the truth, which is hidden within the world in which we exist.

That is why Sage Sankara says: ~ VC-63- Without causing the objective universe to vanish and without knowing the truth of the ‘Self’ how is one to achieve Liberation by the mere utterance of the word Brahman? — It would result merely in an effort of speech.

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, in something detrimental to our spiritual progress.

Sage Sankara says the transparent truth of the Self, which is hidden by the illusion, is to be attained through the instructions of a knower of Brahman, (Gnani).

By inquiring Who is that you.  Noting is gained. The inquirer himself is the ego.  Without the ego, you do not exist.  The Self is not you because you are the ego.

The Self is not you but the Self is the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

The seeker has to drop all his egocentric accumulated knowledge and only then he is fit to grasp the Self-knowledge.

Remember: ~

You are not separate from the ego because you are the ego. Without the ego, you and the world in which you exist cease to exist. In the awareness of the ego, the world in which you exist is a reality.

In the awareness of the ego, your individual experience of birth, life, death, and the world is experienced as a reality.

In the awareness of the ego, form, time, and space prevail as a reality.

In the awareness of the ego, the dualistic illusion, or Maya prevails as reality.

In the awareness of the ego, the three states prevail as reality.

In the awareness of the ego, the ‘I’ prevails as a reality.

If ‘I’ prevails as reality the ignorance prevails as reality.

Self-knowledge or Advaitic wisdom is necessary to get rid of ignorance.

Without Self-awareness, the universe prevails as reality. Self-awareness means the conscious awareness of the Soul hidden by the ‘I’. In Self-awareness, the reality of the universe fades away. 

Sage Sankara says liberation comes, but only through the realization that Atman and Brahman are one in no other way. (1) VivekaChudamani v 56, pg 25: ~Santthosh Kumaar