Sri Ramana Maharshi
Q: Having heard the truth, why does not one remain content?
Because samskaras have not been destroyed. Unless the samskaras cease to exist, there will always be doubt and confusion (sandeha, viparita). All efforts are directed to destroying doubt and confusion. To do so their roots must be cut. Their roots are samskaras. These are rendered ineffective by practice as prescribed by the Guru. The Guru leaves it to the seeker to do this much so that he might himself find out that there is no ignorance. This truth mentioned is in the stage of the hearing of the Truth (shravana). That is not firm. For making it unshaken, one has to practise reflection (mananam) and one pointedness (nididhyasanam). These two processes scorch the seeds of vasanas (past impressions) so that they are rendered ineffective.
Some extraordinary persons get dhruda jnana (unshaken knowledge) even on hearing the Truth only once. Because they are advanced seekers (krthopasaka), whereas the akrthopasaka (raw seekers) take longer to gain this unshaken knowledge. People ask: How did ignorance (avidya) arise at all? We have to tell them: Ignorance never arose. It has no real being. That which is, is only vidya (knowledge).
Q: Why then do I not realize it?
Because of the samskaras. However, find out who does not realize and what he does not realize. Then it will be clear that there is no avidya (ignorance).
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