Acharya Prashant addresses two questions. The first questioner, Jayant Kumar, alleges that Brahmins, who are foreigners, have historically oppressed the original inhabitants of India using scriptures like the Vedas and Manusmriti, and accuses Acharya Prashant of indirectly supporting these exploitative Brahmins by promoting the Upanishads. The second questioner, Jayantish Bits, asks why he promotes the Gita instead of science. Acharya Prashant begins by advising against speaking without proper knowledge and understanding. He criticizes the questioner for equating the Upanishads with the Manusmriti, stating they are vastly different texts. He clarifies that the Upanishads represent the pinnacle of Vedic philosophy and are considered the ultimate authority (Pramana), whereas the Smritis are not. All schools of Indian philosophy unanimously accept the Vedas as the final authority on matters of Dharma, and the Upanishads are the very core of the Vedas. He refutes the notion that the Upanishads were written for exploitation, explaining that the questioner seems to be unaware of their actual content. Citing the Vajrasuchi Upanishad, he explains that the Upanishads themselves clarify that Varna (caste) is determined by one's actions and choices, not by birth. He further elaborates that his focus is on Brahman (the ultimate reality or Truth), not on Brahmins. This Brahman is the truth that every human being, including the questioner, is restless for. Brahman is not the exclusive property of Brahmins; it is the solution to the inner restlessness and the ultimate destination for all, regardless of gender, nationality, or caste. He asserts that according to the Upanishads, only one who has attained Brahman or is sincerely seeking it is a true Brahmin. He dismisses the accusation of indirectly supporting anyone, stating he would speak openly if he had to. He urges the questioner not to let his preconceived notions about Brahmins cast a shadow on the profound teachings of the Upanishads. Addressing the second question, Acharya Prashant explains the distinct domains of spirituality and science. He states that science cannot answer questions about what is worth doing, nor can it resolve inner issues like fear, jealousy, or lust. The purpose of the Gita is to help with the inner world, while science deals with the outer world. The Gita is not a substitute for science in its domain, and similarly, science cannot address the inner turmoil that the Gita does. He emphasizes that we need both true science and true spirituality. Just as there are authentic, 'gold standard' books in science, there are a few select, pure spiritual texts like the Upanishads, the Brahma Sutras, and the Gita. He defines a true spiritual text as one that discusses the nature of the ego and the methods for its dissolution, not one that prescribes social rules. He laments that people are deprived of these texts, first by the historical priestly class and now by modern ideologies that dismiss them without understanding. He encourages everyone to use their intellect and discernment to read these scriptures for themselves.
