The universe is the snake the Soul is the rope. Until you become aware of the Soul the universe remains as a snake.+

The world in which we exist is a dualistic illusion. The dualistic illusion is present in the form of the ‘I’. The ‘I’ hides the Soul, which is God in truth. God in truth is present in the form of consciousness.

Only consciousness counts. For a Gnani, everything is consciousness the whole universe is nothing but an illusion created out of consciousness.

Snake and the rope:~

This whole universe which through ignorance appears in diverse forms is nothing else but the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is absolutely free from all the limitations of form, time, and space.

Consciousness alone is real since there is nothing else but consciousness. In Self-awareness, there remains no other independent entity.

A permanent view of the world as unreal can come only after Soul-centric reasoning; such knowledge cannot change. Were the seeker who is sufficiently sharp he could grasp the unreal nature of the world by Soul-centric reasoning alone. To know the whole truth, one must know the whole universe, otherwise, he gets only a half-truth.

The world in which we exist (waking) is a mere superimposition like seeing a snake superimposed on a rope on a dark night.

The snake has no independent existence, apart from the rope, it exists because of the rope, and it ceases to exist as soon as a light is brought. The snake then dissolves into the rope. In the same way, when the Soul remains in its own awareness, the mind (I) merges into it. The mind and Soul are one in essence. To attain this knowledge is the goal of the truth seeker. The three states then cannot taint the Soul, the Self.

Why does the snake appear to be existing, you cannot say a snake does not exist unless you see it as only a rope.

Similarly, the universe in which you exist appears to be existing you cannot say the universe in which you exist does not exist unless you realize the cause of the universe is the Soul.

The ‘I’ is the snake the Soul is the rope. Until you become aware of the Soul the ‘I’ remains as a snake.

The universe is the snake the Soul is the rope. Until you become aware of the Soul, the Self, the universe remains as a snake.

The waking is the snake the Soul, and the Self is the rope.

Until you become aware of the Soul, the Self, the waking remains as a snake.

The form, time, and space are the snakes and the Soul, the Self is the rope. Until you become aware of the Soul, the Self, the form, time and space remain as a snake.

The duality is the snake the Soul, the Self is the rope. Until you become aware of the Soul, the Self, the duality remains as a snake.

When you become aware of the rope there is no more snake. Similarly, the Soul, the Self, wakes up from its sleep of ignorance there is no ‘I’.

If there is no ‘I’ there is no ignorance.

If there is no ‘I’ there is no mind.

If there is no ‘I’ there is no universe.

If there is no ‘I’ there is no waking.

If there is no ‘I’ there is no form, time, and space.

If there is no ‘I’ there is no duality.

If there is no duality there is only the Advaitic reality.

The Soul is the Self. The Soul is present in the form of consciousness. Consciousness is Self-evident. It is not established by extraneous proof. It is not possible to deny consciousness because it is the very essence of the one who denies it.

Consciousness is the basis of all kinds of knowledge, presuppositions, and proofs. Until one thinks of his body as the body, the ego as the ego the universe as the universe he remains in ignorance because he is still in ignorance and he is unaware of the fact that they too are consciousness. The “seeker has to grow from the inside out. None can teach him, and none can make him spiritual. There is no other Guru but his own Soul.”

Consciousness is not an object, but it is the subject. Within the dualistic illusion, it is the subject and object together. It is not another. It is all-full, infinite, changeless, Self-existent, Self-delight, Self-knowledge, or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. It is the essence. It is the essence of the knower. It is the formless substance and the Witness of the dualistic illusion (universe). : ~Santthosh Kumaar

Sage Sankara as a rationalist Sage . The orthodoxy projected him as a theologian.+

Isa Upanishads indicate ~ By worshipping Gods and Goddesses and going to the world of Gods after death is of no use. The time one spends in ritualistic practices is wasted; one can spend the same time moving forward toward Self-knowledge, which is the main goal. One cannot reach the nondual destination by glorifying God and Goddesses and by doing that, one goes deeper and deeper into darkness. It surely indicates the fact that the seeker of truth has to drop worshiping God and Godtoer to get Self-knowledge.

Sage Sankara as a rationalist Sage . The orthodoxy projected him as a theologian.

Advaitic orthodoxy belongs to religion and it is nothing to do with the Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara. 

Adyatma is nothing to do with religious sects or creeds and religious beliefs. Adyatma is pure spirituality. Knowledge of Atma is Adyatma. Advaita is Adyatma.

Adyatma is the knowledge of the truth hidden by the illusory form, time, and space. Bifurcate religion, yoga, and theoretical philosophy and base the truth on the Athma.   Adyathma is based on Athma.

Adyatma is based on the ultimate truth, which is based on the Atman or Spirit, which is the Self.

Sage Sankara's Advaitic wisdom is pure spirituality or Adyathma.

Remember:~

Sage Sankara’s Advaitic wisdom is not even a philosopher dish cooked to suit exclusively the palate of one particular religion. Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara is like the air and the water, the common food for the whole of humanity.

Advaitic wisdom of Sage Sankara is Science of the Spirit.

If rightly interpreted Sage Sankara’s Advaitic wisdom as spiritual food for the whole of humanity. The Advaitic wisdom is the universal wisdom par excellence. Advaitic wisdom is not just a not a philosophy, but not a science, but the Science of Truth.

Sage Sankara gave religious, ritual, and dogmatic instruction to the mass but pure philosophy only to the few who could rise to it. Hence, the interpretation of his writings by commentators is often confusing because they mix up the two viewpoints. Thus, they may assert that ritual is a means of realizing Brahman, which is absurd.

The Upanishads say:~

Mundaka Upanishad 1:2:8:~ “Remaining in the fold of ignorance and thinking “we are extremely wise and learned,” the fools with boastful nature ramble about like the blind led by the blind alone.”

Mundaka Upanishad 3:2:3:- “The weak and timid cannot realize the Self. Self-Realization is not possible through intellect or hearing spiritual discourse. One who welcomes God in every activity, through a thorough controlled and disciplined life, to him also the Soul is revealed

Katha Upanishad 1:2:23:~ The Soul cannot be realized through hearing a scholarly explanation of the discourses, not even by the intellect.

Katha Upanishad 1:3:6:~ “Through the knowledge of the Soul God, one is pure and clean constantly.” Neither by reading the books nor by taking a bath at the holy place has one become pure. Inner purity is possible when one remains in constant touch with the Soul. Constant Soul Consciousness is the real purity.

Kena Upanishad 2:4:~ When it is known through every state of cognition, it is rightly known, for (by such knowledge) one attains life eternal. Through one's own self, one gains power and through wisdom, one gains immortality.

Kena Upanishad 2:5:~ If here one knows it, then there is the truth, and if there one knows it not, there is a great loss. Hence, seeing the Real in all beings, wise men become immortal on departing from this world.

The scriptures are being added to from time to time. This process will go on. There is the final authority among them? One contradicts the other: duality reigns supreme.

The Upanishads are Self-contradictory. Every pundit even gives conflicting interpretations of them. The final authority, therefore, is using one’s own reason. One should apply his reason to them.

The scriptures are for ignorant masses, who wholly accept the material world as it presents itself. Gnana is for those who have begun to realize that things are not what they seem.

The Scriptures are of value only when dealing with persons who are incapable of understanding the Advaitic truth. They have no value as authority for those who use reason. I quote only verified citations from the scriptures. I need no scriptures but I quote them to help the seekers realize what the scriptures are saying.

The Upanishads are the only scriptures in the world that say:~

It is impossible to find and realize the truth via religion and scriptural study.

Katha Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Ataman reveals its own form. (Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20)

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ “This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 –page-70 Upanishads by Nikilanada)

Upanishad says: ~ “The human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge and they indicate the personal Gods, scriptures, worship, and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge, then why anyone should indulge in it. The religion, concept of an individualized God, belief in a physical Guru, and scriptures are great obstacles to Self-realization because they are based on a false self. The seeker of truth has to search for the ultimate truth without losing himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, through deeper Self-search, and assimilate and realize it.

That is why SageSankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam says: - (Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena) - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows.

Then it is no use going a roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of the mind. By tracing the source of the mind or universe one will be able to realize the Brahman.

Self-knowledge is meant only for those who have an intense urge, and courage to accept the truth with humility and reject the untruth. Since people start comparing their scriptural knowledge, it becomes impossible to assimilate and realize the non-dual truth. Therefore, there is no need to convince anyone other than our own selves to get a firm conviction.

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.

The knowledge of both matter and spirit is True knowledge. The true knowledge is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

One of Sage Sankara’s missions was to wean people away from a ritualistic approach and to project wisdom (jnana) as the means of liberation.+

Katha Upanishad: ~ This Atman cannot be attained by the study of the Vedas, or by intelligence, or by much hearing of sacred books. It is attained by him alone whom It chooses. To such a one Ataman reveals its own form. (Katha Upanishad Ch-II -23-P-20)

Mundaka Upanishad: ~ “This Atman cannot be attained through study of the Vedas, nor through intelligence, nor through much learning. He who chooses Atman—by him alone is Atman attained. It is Atman that reveals to the seeker Its true nature. (3 –page-70 Upanishads by Nikilanada)

It is impossible to find and realize the truth via religion and scriptural study.

Upanishad says: ~ “The human goal is to acquire Self-Knowledge and they indicate the personal Gods, scriptures, worship, and rituals are not the means to Self –Knowledge, then why anyone should indulge in it. The religion, concept of an individualized God, belief in a physical Guru, and scriptures are great obstacles to Self-realization because they are based on a false self. The seeker of truth has to search for the ultimate truth without losing himself in the labyrinths of philosophy, through deeper Self-search, and assimilate and realize it.

That is why Sage Sankara, indicated in Bhaja Govindam says: - (Jnana Viheena Sarva Mathena Bajathi na Muktim janma Shatena) - one without knowledge does not obtain liberation even in a hundred births, no matter which religious faith he follows.

Then it is no use going a roundabout way, trace the Brahman which is the formless substance and witness of the universe, which is in the form of the mind. By tracing the source of the mind or universe one will be able to realize the Brahman or God in truth.

Remember:~

Adyatma is nothing to do with religious sects or creeds and religious beliefs. Adyatma is pure spirituality. Knowledge of Atma is Adyatma. Advaita is Adyatma.

Adyatma is the knowledge of the truth hidden by the illusory form, time, and space. Bifurcate religion, yoga, and theoretical philosophy and base the truth on the Athma it is Adyathma.

Adyatma is based on the ultimate truth, which is based on the Atman or Spirit, which is the Self.

Sage Sankara's Advaitic wisdom is pure spirituality or Adyathma.

Remember:~  

The religious Gurus are only a knower of the religious doctrines, not a knower of the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.  

The Knower of the ultimate truth or Brahman or God is Brahma Gnani. A Brahma Gnani has realized knowledge beyond form, time, and space. 

Sage Sankara: ~ "Though I wear these robes of a Sanyasin, it is only for the sake of bread."

Sage Sankara writes: ~ “Sometimes he (A Gnani) appears to be a Fool, sometimes a wise man. Sometimes he seems splendid as a king, sometimes feeble-minded. Sometimes he is calm and silent. Sometimes he draws men to him. Sometimes people honor him greatly, sometimes they insult him. Sometimes they ignore him.

Sage Sankara clearly indicates in Viveka Chudamani (2) that the Knower of the Atman (A Gnani) "bears no outward mark of a holy man.

So, Sage Sankara clearly indicates A Gnani "bears no outward mark of a holy man" then why hold Gurus and Yogis who identify themselves as holy men?

From the Advaitic perspective, A Gnani never identifies himself as a Guru or a Yogi or someone disciple. The one who accepts himself as a Guru or someone’s disciple is not a Gnani.

A Guru who pretends to be Self- realized and plays with the emotions and sentiments of the seeker is a fraud, not a Gnani.

If you emotionally and sentimentally hold on to the physical Guru as a guide you will never be able to transcend the dualistic illusion to non-dualistic reality.

The idea of having a Guru itself blocks you from realizing the Self, which is hidden by the dualistic illusion.

A Gnani "bears no outward mark of a holy man. It means the Gurus, Swamis, and Yogis who identify themselves as holy people are not Gnanis.

Those who are seeking truth need not follow any Guru or any teaching. The one who thinks of himself as a Guru and the one who thinks of himself as a chela (disciple) will not be able to acquire Self-Knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana because both of them accepted themselves as the body. And all their understanding, practices, and knowledge are based on the false self (ego or you). Therefore, the Guru –Shisya concept is a great obstacle in the pursuit of truth.

Ashtavakra Samhita: ~ "The man of knowledge (Gnani), though living like an ordinary man, is contrary to him and only those like him understand his state.

Manduka Upanishads: - It is very difficult to find out who is a Gnani because he bears no external mark. Neither nudity nor the yellow robe has anything to do with him.:

Religion is nothing to do with Spirituality or Adyathma.

Spirituality or Adyathma is the knowledge of the Spirit, which is beyond form, time, and space. The knowledge or Spirit is Self-knowledge or Brahma Gnana or Atma Gnana.

Hinduism indulges non-Vedic beliefs such as idolatry, ancestor worship, pilgrimages, priestcraft, offerings made in temples, the caste system, untouchability, and child marriages. All of these lack Vedic sanctions. Therefore; Hinduism is not Ancient Vedic religion or Santana Dharma.

When we bifurcate all the non-Vedic elements from the Hindu belief system, then we will be able to realize is nothing to do with the Hindu belief system. For name sake, they have given a Vedic touch to the non-Vedic Hindu belief system.

All Hindu Gods are not Vedic God. The Vedas exclaim from time immemorial: ~

Yajurveda – chapter- 32:~ God is  Supreme Spirit has no ‘Pratima’ (idol) or material shape. God cannot be seen directly by anyone. God pervades all beings and all directions. Thus, Idolatry does not find any support from the Vedas.

The Vedas exclaim from time immemorial: ~

Rig Veda:~Ekam Sat Vipra Bahudha Vadanti, Existence is One.- 1-164-146.

God in truth is one and universal.

God is the Spirit. The Spirit is the Soul, the  Self. God is the Soul, the  Self. The Soul is the Supreme Being the One eternal homogeneous essence, indivisible consciousness, and intelligence, which is beyond form, time, and space. Which the Sages describe in a variety of ways through diverse words.

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman (Soul) is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman, the Self. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

Bhagavad Gita: ~ Brahmano hi pratisthaham- Brahman (God in truth) is considered the all-pervading consciousness which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material.- (Gita 14.27)

Upanishads say in effect that: ~ If you believe that the Soul is one and God (Brahman) is another you cannot understand Truth.

Brihad Upanishad: ~ “If you think there is another entity, whether man or God there is no truth."

The religion advocates extreme asceticism. Asceticism is waste of time. Religion is nothing but remaining in the false belief, dogmas, and superstition.

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.

Sage Sankara says:~ The scriptures dealing with rituals, and rewards are therefore addressed to an ignorant person. Thus, the rituals are meant for ignorant people.

Sage Sankara: ~ "Though I wear these robes of a Sanyasin, it is only for the sake of bread."

~ This shows he was wearing the religious robe only for the sake of bread." Thus, it means those who are wearing the religious robe for the sake of bread.

All the rituals based on the false belief of Gods will not yield any fruits and they are meant for the ignorant populace who are unable to grasp the God beyond form, time, and space.

One of Sage Sankara’s missions was to wean people away from a ritualistic approach advocated by Mimamsakas and to project wisdom (jnana) as the means of liberation in the light of Upanishad teachings.

Sage Sankara criticized severely the ritualistic attitude and those who advocated such practices. However, the orthodox texts that combined rituals with wisdom (jnana_karma_samucchaya) more in favor of the Mimamsaka position came into vogue, projecting Sage Sankara as the rallying force of the doctrine. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

You will realize the truth hidden by ignorance only after you drop your accumulated knowledge, which is blocking your realization of the truth.+

You will realize the truth hidden by ignorance only after you drop your accumulated knowledge, which is blocking your realization of the truth. 

The Advaitic truth has to be proved not assumed. The gurus of the east and west have not proved the Sage  Sankara’s Advaitic truth because their knowledge of Advaita is based on the dualistic perspective. Seekers of truth have to realize how this practical life within the practical world is unreal. And on ‘what standpoint it is unreal.

Sage Sankara says: ~ VC-47- All the effects of ignorance, root, and branch, are burnt down by the fire of knowledge, which arises from discrimination between these two—the Self and the not-Self.

It really depends on his inborn natural capacity to understand and assimilate it. Sage Sankara’s wisdom is a Self-examiner, to test oneself to discover how near to Gnana he has approached and what progress has already been made on the path, and what still remains to be done. It sets up criteria for Self-judgement. There are millions in search of truth but one in million will be able to grasp it.

Without Sage Sankara, there is no Advaita (nonduality). Since it was mixed up with orthodoxy there is a lot of confusion.

I am highlighting all the obstacles, which is blocking one from realizing the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

There are so many non-dualistic masters of the east and also from the west who expound Advaitic or non-dualistic knowledge but none of them are helpful to reach the ultimate end.

Remember:~

All the accumulated knowledge has to be discarded in order to understand and assimilate the real fragrance of the wisdom expounded by the great Sages of Advaita, but it is a hurricane task.

Thus, it is no use going through all the scriptures when there is a direct path to nondualistic or Advaitic truth. The same time and effort can be used to reach the nondual destination, in lesser time and effort.

Advaitic wisdom does not need the support of any scripture or revelation like the Veda. Advaitic wisdom is not based, not upon the varying theological fancies, which are as numerous as the sands of the sea, but upon reason, the common heritage of all mankind, irrespective of color or creed or clime.

Seeker of truth has to know that something is inadequate in Buddhism or orthodox Advaitic teachings to reach the nondualistic destination because of the add-ons and adulteration. Thus, it becomes difficult to reach the destination directed by Bhagavan Buddha, Sage Sankara, and Sage Goudpada.

It is for the seeker to go on his own and remove all the obstacles, which is blocking the realization of the truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

The greatest hindrance is mixing religion, God, scriptures, and yogic theories. Moreover, attachment to scriptures, personal God, and religious code of conduct keep one permanently in the grip of the dualistic illusion.

Embark on the journey of the truth; it frees the Soul from the illusion of form, time, and space.

When you finally realize the ‘Self’ ‘ is not you but the ‘‘Self’’ is the Soul then you will realize the world in which you exist is merely an illusion created out of the Soul, which is present in the form of the consciousness.

Thus, you, your experience of birth, life, death, and world mere an illusion created out of consciousness. Consciousness is the ultimate truth or Brahman or God in truth.

You are not the witness because the ‘‘Self’' is not you. The ‘Self’ is the Soul, which witnesses the world, in which you exist. The world is merely an illusion thus, you are part of the illusion.

In reality, the Soul and the world in which you exist are one, in essence. Thus, there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul, which is present in the form of consciousness.

Perfect understanding and assimilation of ‘what is what,’ leads to a perfect conviction of ‘What is the truth?” and ‘What is the untruth? Perfect conviction of the truth leads to Advaitic ‘Self’-awareness. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar

You belong to the dualistic illusion. Identifying the ‘Self as 'you' is a great error.+

You belong to the dualistic illusion. Identifying the ‘Self as 'you' is a great error. Your existence is limited to the domain of form, time, and space. You are bound by the experience of birth, life, death, and the world whereas the Soul, the ‘Self’ is birthless and deathless because the Soul, the Self is formless, timeless, and spaceless existence.

When the Soul appears as deep sleep (nonduality) the world in which you exist disappears and when the world in which you exist appears as the waking (duality) the Soul disappears.

The one that appears as dual (waking or dream) and one that disappears as nonduality (deep sleep) is the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness.

The look of an object will depend upon the medium through which the observer views it. In fact, our mental and intellectual conditions determine the three states, observed and experienced. The commoner viewing the three states will see differently from a Gnani viewing the same world. Each one interprets the world that they see in terms of their existing knowledge. The commoner sees everything based on the ego, therefore, experiences three states as a reality, whereas a Gnani sees everything as the consciousness and he is fully aware of the fact that, there is no second thing that exists other than the Soul or the consciousness. Thus, all the egocentric (religious) adulteration has to be bifurcated to realize the ultimate truth, which is beyond form, time, and space.

From the dualistic perspective, people see the world in which they exist as a reality. They see their body as the body, their ego as the ego, and the world in which they exist as the world whereas a Gnani sees everything from the nondualistic perspective. 

A Gnani sees his body as the consciousness, his ego as consciousness, and the world in which he exists as consciousness. For a Gnani, whatever is seen, known, believed, and experienced is nothing but consciousness. There is unity in diversity in Gnani's understanding whereas the ignorant people see only diversity and separation.

Thus, it is necessary to learn to view and judge the three states from the non-dualistic perspective, to realize the three states are one in essence. There is nothing to realize other than realizing that consciousness is everything. Consciousness is second to none.

When everything is nothing but the consciousness then what remains which is not the consciousness.

Perfect understanding and realization of ‘what is what leads to Self-awareness. By holding on to theories one remains in the realm of duality. You have to mentally go on dropping what is not the truth through deeper Self-search.

Finally when you become aware of the fact that, your ego, your body, and the world are one in essence then there is Self-awareness in the midst of duality.

The seeker of truth should be aware of everything that is untrue: stick to the truth and he shall succeed, maybe slowly, but surely. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar 

Gurudom belongs to religion and yoga. Gurudom is nothing to do with Sprituality or Adyathma.+

Gurudom belongs to religion and yoga. Gurudom is nothing to do with Sprituality or Adyathma. 

Advaitic wisdom is pure spirituality. There is a need to bifurcate Gurudom from Spirituality or Adythma.

Gurudom in the name of preaching Advaitic wisdom is seeking wealth, name, and fame whereas a Gnani can awaken Truth in the seeker silently by helping him to realize the Advaita (Soul) hidden by the Dvaita ( universe or dualistic illusion or Maya).

Neither by establishing a cult, or sect nor converting one religion to another, ignorance will not vanish. 

By praying in temples, mosques, and churches, or visiting ashrams, God will not be found. All the religious Gods are not God in truth.**

By visiting pilgrimages or dipping in the holy river or by doing pranayama or performing religious rites, rituals, or ceremonies, or by Hata yoga the Advaitic wisdom will not dawn. 

That is why Sage Sankara said:~ Talk as much philosophy as you like, worship as many gods as you please, observe ceremonies, and sing devotional hymns, but liberation will never come, even after a hundred aeons, without realizing the Oneness.

Sage Sankara:~ Neither sacred baths nor any amount of charity nor even Hundreds of pranayamas* can give us the knowledge about our own Self. The firm experience of the nature of the Self is seen to proceed from inquiry along the lines of the salutary advice of the wise. (13)

The universe is a dualistic illusion. The dualistic illusion hides the Soul, the Self, which is present in the form of consciousness. The consciousness is the real God.

Bhagavad Gita: ~ brahmano hi pratisthaham ~ Brahman (God in truth) is considered the all-pervading consciousness which is the basis of all the animate and inanimate entities and material. (14.27)

Chandogya Upanishad: ~ Sarvam khalvidam brahma ~ all this (universe) is verily Brahman. By following back all of the relative appearances in the world, we eventually return to that from which it is all manifest – the non-dual reality).

Even Sage Sankara declares: ~ Supreme Brahman (God in truth) is impersonal, Nirguna (without Gunas or attributes), Nirakara (formless), Nirvisesha (without special characteristics), immutable, eternal, and Akarta (non-agent). It is above all needs and desires. It is always the Witnessing Subject. It can never become an object as it is beyond the reach of the senses. Brahman is non-dual, one without a second. It has no other besides it. It is destitute of difference, either external or internal. Brahman cannot be described because the description implies distinction. Brahman cannot be distinguished from any other than It. In Brahman, there is not a distinction between substance and attribute. Sat-Chit-Ananda constitutes the very essence or Svarupa of Brahman and not just Its attributes. The Nirguna Brahman of Sage Sankara is impersonal.

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad: ~ Brahman (God in truth) is present in the form of the Athma, and it is indeed Athma itself. 

God is a formless, timeless, and spaceless existence. Thus according to the Vedas God neither has any image nor God resides in any particular idol or statue. God cannot be seen directly by anyone. God pervades all beings and all directions.

Lord Krishna says Ch ~V:~ “Those who know the ‘Self’ in truth.". The last two words (tattvataha) are usually ignored by pundits, but they make all the difference between the ordinary concept of God and the truth about God.

The dualistic worship of "God” is only for the ignorant populace. The God in truth is only Atman, the innermost Self. In reality, there is no duality, no differentiation. Only Atman exists.

Rig-Veda 1-164-46 and Y.V 32-1 clearly mention that God is “One”.

Rig Veda says God is ‘ONE’ and God is Atman, then why believe and worship in place of real God?

Rig Veda: ~ The Atman (Soul or Spirit) is the cause; Atman is the support of all that exists in this universe. May ye never turn away from the Atman, the Self. May ye never accept another God in place of the Atman nor worship other than the Atman?" (10:48, 5)

Rig Veda 1/164/46: ~ “They call him Indra, Mitra, Varuna, Agni, or the heavenly sunbird Garutmat. The seers call in many ways that which is One; they speak of Agni, Yama, Matarishvan.

Rig Veda 8/58/2:~ Only One is the Fire, enkindled in numerous ways; only One is the Sun, pervading this whole universe; only One is the Dawn, illuminating all things. In very truth, the One has become the whole world.

Yajur Veda indicates that: ~ They sink deeper into darkness those who worship sambhuti. (Sambhuti means created things, for example, table, chair, idol, etc. - (Yajurveda 40:9)

Those who worship visible things born of the prakrti, such as the earth, trees, and bodies (human and the like) in place of God are enveloped in still greater darkness, in other words, they are extremely foolish, fall into an awful hell of pain and sorrow, and suffer terribly for a long time."- (Yajur Veda 40:9.)

Brihadaranyaka Upanishad says:~ "He who worships the deities as entities entirely separate from him does not know the truth. For the Gods, he is like a pasu (beast)". (1. 4. 10)

Bhagavad Gita Chapter: ~ “All those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires, they worship many Gods. (7- Verse)

One must remember that for all periods the Vedas are the final goal and authority, and if the Puranas differ in any respect from the Vedas, the Puranas are to be rejected without mercy.

If you feel Puranas say something and the Vedas say something else, reject the Puranas and believe in the Vedas. The Puranas are just a myth.

It is necessary to realize God in truth. God is the truth is the Soul, the Self. Thus Self-realization is necessary to realize God because the Self itself is God. : ~ Santthosh Kumaar