Swami Atulananda: “Did not his teachings differ somewhat from Shankaracharya’s maya theory?”
Swami Turiyananda: “Yes, Shankara taught only one phase, how to get freedom, nirvana. Our Master first made one free and then taught how one should live in the world. His touch would make one free. But those who follow his instructions also get free. His words have such shakti [power]. Be free first. Do away with name and form and the entire universe. Then see Mother in all. Then be Her playfellow.” (Source: God Lived with Them)
NARENDRA (Swami Vivekananda): “Buddha did not care for Sakti or any such thing. He sought only Nirvana. Ah, how intense his dispassion was! When he sat down under the Bodhi-tree to meditate, he took this vow: ‘Let my body wither away here if I do not attain Nirvana.’ Such a firm resolve! (Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)
Admin Notes:
- In Isha Upanishad 1st Verse explanation we can clearly observe this.
- Also in explanation regarding the ‘Pancha Koshas’ in Taittiriya Upanishad.
- Action cannot destroy ignorance, for it is not in conflict with or opposed to ignorance. Knowledge does verily destroy ignorance as light destroys deep darkness. (Source: Atma Bodha Verse 3 by Adi Shankaracharya)
Swami Turiyananda: “People won’t study Shankara, but would criticize him! Nowhere has Shankara said that we must all fly to the woods. He himself has done a world of good. Just study his life. We are all in the world, and where can we go, leaving it aside? But doing good to the world is not an end in itself. The world will remain as it is. As Shri Ramakrishna used to say, it is but a dog’s tail, which won’t straighten up. In trying to help the world, you help yourself – you realize your Freedom. Whenever Shankara has argued, he has silenced all his adversaries with the greater ease. But he himself was a worshipper of Shakti, in whom he had perfect belief. His very hymns prove this. It requires the finest intellect to understand Shankara, and where this is wanting you have only childish prattle.” (Source: Spiritual Talks by the First Disciples of Sri Ramakrishna)