Acharya Prashant explains that the Bhagavad Gita contains the entire essence of Vedanta and is far more significant than the physical events of the Mahabharata war. Addressing a question about expensive rituals and astrological remedies, he clarifies that people often fall prey to superstitions and exploitative priests because of a deep spiritual thirst and a lack of access to true wisdom. He compares consuming superstitious beliefs to drinking contaminated water out of desperation; while it may seem to quench thirst temporarily, it ultimately leads to spiritual illness. He emphasizes that there is no scientific basis for these rituals and that one should seek a mystic or a sage for spiritual direction rather than a priest for worldly fixes. He further critiques the obsession with planetary influences, stating that the problems lie within the human mind rather than in distant celestial bodies. He points out that planets like Mars and Saturn are merely dust, gas, and stone, and are not eternal truths. According to Vedanta, the Truth is that which is beginningless, endless, and indestructible. He quotes Kabir Saheb to highlight the futility of idol worship and rituals, suggesting that practical tools like a grinding stone are more useful than a stone idol if the latter does not lead to God. He explains that the Upanishads define Brahman as that which cannot be thought of or seen by the eyes, contrasting this with the popular deities and rituals that people often worship. Acharya Prashant describes Vedanta as the 'pinnacle' or 'end' of the Vedas, serving to clear the mental images and concepts that the earlier parts of the Vedas might provide. He notes that while the Upanishads established the Atman as the sole truth, people misinterpreted this to mean their egoistic 'I' was God. This led Buddha to emphasize 'Anatta' (non-self) to negate the false ego. He concludes by stating that whether it is the Upanishads, Buddha, or Kabir Saheb, people often distort their profound teachings to suit their own convenience and continue to remain trapped in either worldly or religious delusions.
