Lecture Lahore — Page 28
2 8 Let us now turn to the A rya Sam a jists and see what they have to offer in the way of salvation from sin. Since the Vedas categorically reject the possibility of all future Divine converse and heavenly signs, it is futile to think that they can lead anyone to the point of certainty where he hears God’s voice proclaiming 'I exist', or his prayers are answered, or God reveals His countenance to him through His signs. The A ryas consider all this to be impossible. The fact, nevertheless, remains that love or fear is not pos- sible without having 'seen' God and without having attained perfect God-realization— Ma‘rifat. But the mere study of creation cannot bring about such certainty, and this is why many of those who profess to follow pure rea- son are atheists and agnostics, and those who reach the heights of philosophy are considered the true atheists. Rea- son, if it is not tainted with atheism, can only help us analyze the creation and conclude that it must have a Crea- tor, but it cannot grant us any certainty as to whether there actually is a Creator. It may, on the contrary, lead us to be- lieve that the whole universe is functioning on its own and that some objects have an inborn ability to create others, but it can never bring us the kind of perfect certainty or complete awareness which is equivalent to beholding the Almighty and generates perfect fear and perfect love. The fire of love and fear consumes every sin, annihilates every selfish desire, removes all the stains of sinfulness, and cures every inner weakness through a pure and holy transformation. But since most people do not care for such