Knowledge Development - The Vedic Way - Eternal Enquiry

The vedic tradition did not put a full stop to understanding material world or spiritual world. That is why even today new gurus and babas are accepted in Hindu tradition. Shruti is there. But Smriti is equally valued. Only demand is that all present day Gurus must have full knowledge of Vedas. It is like the literature review we do in our Phd Theses. A new researcher has to show his understanding of the existing knowledge, show its shortcomings and develop a way of finding new knowledge that is useful to mankind in material or social or spiritual dimension.

Upanishads, a part of Vedas, show us the way. In Upanishads, questions are answered. Enquiry is encouraged, Discussion is encouraged. The upanishad tradition only resulted in various darshanas of Hindu way of life. It lead to discovery of various Gods and prayers to them. Even today people can question and abandon their existing faith and embrace new faith.


Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati, Head of Chimaya Mission's Delhi Unit wrote an article on the role of inquiry and scientific inquiry in religion. The article was published in "The Speaking Tree" on 4 July 2010 in page 3.

"Satya should triumph." - Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati

"Science negates all false beliefs and superstitions." - Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati

"The purpose of science and the aim of spirituality both are to arrive at truth, or, arrive at reality." - Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati

(When persons are) in tune with the Upanishads, they're not disturbed by scientific progress. It helps them comprehend the truth more easily. - Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati

Ultimately we should have love for the real, whether it comes from India, Pakistan or any other country; it doesn't matter. Satya should triumph. - Swami Nikhilananda Saraswati