Shastra Pradeepakam

आत्मा वा अरे द्रष्टव्यः श्रोतव्यो मन्तव्यो निदिद्ध्यासितव्यः

(ātmāvā are draṣṭavyaḥśrotavyomantavyonididdhyāsitavya)

- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 2-4-5)

The Atman should be realized, for this first it should be heard from a worthy teacher from scriptures, then reflected on through reasoning and then steadfastly meditated upon. When these means i.e. hearing, reflection and meditation is gone through then only realization of true identity of Jivataman with Brahman is accomplished, not otherwise. So for an Adhikari (qualified aspirant) study of Vedanta shastras with shankara bhasyas from an Acharya (worthy teacher) becomes very important to know oneself.

A person who is having discrimination, dispassion, a pure mind free from confusions, likes and dislikes, anger, cravings etc. and desire to gain moksha is called as an Adhikari in Vedanta. For this Adhikari, Vedanta sentences gives rise to Knowledge when heard from an Acharya.

So for an Adhikari to study Vedanta, Fundamental Knowledge of all other connected Darshana shastras like Mimamsa, Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Samkhya, Patanjaliyoga etc., and also basics of Vedas, Dharma Shastras should be learnt. To learn all this Samskrit language with Maharshi Panini Ashtadhyayi Sutras becomes compulsory along with basic knowledge of Vedangas .

But generally not all are Adhikaris for Atmajnanam, for a Non Adhikari to become an Adhikari he has to gain purity of mind, for this he should perform various duties like homas, rituals, charities, austerities, prayers, japam, meditations etc. and also perform his responsibilities towards family, society etc. prescribed by shastras to him as per his qualification as Karmayoga with an attitude of offering to Bhagavan.

These shastra prescribed duties are also called as Dharma धर्मः.

On other hand if a non adhikari is not interested in Moksha but desire to gain happiness both here and hereafter (called अभ्युदयः Abhyudaya or also called Gaunapurushartha or simply purushartha) even then he has to perform his Dharma (prescribed duties )as per his qualification and his desires.

To know these Dharmas (prescribed duties), he should study Vedas and allied shastras like Dharma shastras, Puranas and Itihasas etc. and do all the prescribed duties in them as per his qualifications.

Study of Vedas along with the Shadangas (six limbs) itself is an important duty prescribed by Vedas itself.

स्वाध्यायःअध्येतव्यः SvadhayayoAdhyetavyaha says that a person should study Vedas from an Acharya.

निष्कारणो धर्मः षडङ्गो वेदोध्येयश्च ज्ञेयश्च (Nishkarano Dharmah shadango vedodhyeyascha jneyascha) - Vedas should be learnt and understood properly without any motive of worldly benefit. And after learning shastras, it should be taught to students.

By studying (Adhyayanam) and teaching (Adhyapanam) alone shastras not only will handed down to future generations but also get protected.

So it becomes very important both for Vedanta Adhikari and Non Adhikari to study shashtras as per his qualification both for Parama purusharta Moksha and purushartha Dharma.

A qualified aspirant of Vedanta, hearing shastras for a worthy teacher Acharya gains Aatmajnanam.

This Atmajnanam will make an ordinary individual, a Noble person who will be free from all miseries, prejudices, hatred, malice etc. and on other hand he will be full of compassion, love, satisfaction, happiness and peace.

So here in shastradeepika we teach shastras to all without any discrimination of any type and also help them understand shastras to protect and preserve shastras and also to make an individual Noble Global citizen by helping him to gain Atmajnana to create a happy, peaceful and prosperous world.