Page 17 - Acharya Vinoba Bhave in 21st Century ISBN

21oha “krkCnh esa vkpk;Z fouksck Hkkos dh izklafxdrk

He firmly believes that though there is wider scope for interpreting the Veda in countless ways,
the main foundation for the Vedic learning and principal goal of the Vedic teachings lie in the worship
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(Upasana) of the Supreme Reality . He respects the Veda as the highest testimony (Parama-pramana)
for validity of truth, but puts the self-realization (Svanubhava) above and beyond all means of

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knowledge . According to him, the Vedic inspiration for Karma (action) is not for attachment with it,
but for detachment from it. He interprets Karma as Seva (service) of the Lord. He declares that every

word of the Veda denotes nothing but the Highest Reality (Paramatma), therefore the whole Vedic
teaching implies the Upasana (Worship) of the Lord. The knowledge (Jnana) realized through the

Vedic contemplation, according to him, guides us to devote ourselves (devotion—Bhakti) to the Lord
and his noble teachings 6

.
He explains that the Devatas or deities are different manifestations of specific qualities or

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various aspects of one and the same Ultimate Reality . He relates the constant study of holy words with
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the God-realization, and for supporting his view, he quotes Yogasutra(II.44) –
Lokè;k;kfn"VnsorklEç;ksx%A

With self-study and reflection on the sacred words, the spiritual aspirant becomes eligible to

realize the true form of particular deity, and ultimately beholds his Ishta-devata (one’s own favourite
deity).

Rishi, as Vinoba explains, is one who envisions the aspects of the Universal Truth, through his
special insight fortified with faith and conviction. The vision of Rishi suggests the seed-form of the truth

– the Ultimate Reality, and not the actual fructification or final fruition of the supreme vision. He points
out that these Rishisof different categories like Brahmarshi(visionary following the path of knowledge

- Jnana), Rajarshi(visionary following the path of action – Karma and service - Seva), and Devarshi
(visionary following the path of devotion - Bhakti) realize the enlightening aspects of the Supreme

Reality and the narration of their realization serves the purpose of valuable guidance, and encouraging
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inspiration for spiritual aspirants .
For him, the Veda is like the mother, or even greater than her. He has seen the Vedaas the most
prominent benefactor for the spiritual aspirant. Quoting Jnaneshvari (16.462), he explains that the

Vaidika-svadhyaya saves the aspirant from being engrossed and lost in non-beneficial or harmful
dealings and directs him towards the noble activities leading to his well-being and welfare. Elaborating

on the glory of the Veda, he quotes Adi Shankaracharya –
ekr`fir`lglzsH;ks fgrS"kh osn%A

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