Education, wealth and adherence to dharma are essential for man’s progress in life. The Sastras advise him on what should be done and what is taboo. Man also makes efforts to enjoy a comfortable life. In spite of all these, lasting happiness and peace elude him. To attain that permanent bliss he must do at least a little bit of Atma Vichara (Self-inquiry) daily. It is called Vicharatmaka Sadhana. That is, one must enquire with devotion to God, “Who am I?From where has this world come? What is bondage? What is moksha? Why are there difficulties? What is the limit for that?” Only on sustained Atma Vichara, will avidya be dispelled. Otherwise it will persist. As long as avidya lasts, one has no way of relief from sorrow. Hence, a wise man should seek a Self-realised guru to be rid of avidya and attain eternal bliss. If he surrenders to such a guru, serves him with total dedication and expresses his doubts with humility, the guru will, realising his competence, give him suitable advice.
If his teaching is adhered to with sincerity and persistence, one can cross the mighty ocean of samsara. A pertinent point here is that only the teaching of a guru, who is an Atma jnani, will give the correct result. Sankara Bhagavatpada himself has said in his bhashya:
May all understand this well and try to seek everlasting bliss.
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