Acharya Prashant responds to a question about why one should read the Upanishads, which were written by other humans, instead of gaining knowledge from one's own experiences, just as the ancient sages did. He begins by agreeing that the Upanishads are indeed the expression of humans and that knowledge can be attained through one's own experiences. While the Vedas are called 'Apaurusheya' (not of human origin), he clarifies that even the highest consciousness must be expressed through a human medium. Therefore, scriptures like the Gita and the Upanishads are indeed expressed through human beings. The speaker then delves into the core of the matter by stating that not all humans are equal. He explains that while humans may be physically similar, their level of consciousness can vary greatly. A person is defined not by their physical body but by their consciousness. He uses the analogy of animals being valued by their physical weight, whereas a human's worth lies in their consciousness. At the physical level, all humans are equal, but at the level of consciousness, there is a significant difference—some are at a higher level, and some are lower. This difference, he emphasizes, is not based on birth, community, or caste, but on the choices one makes in life. To illustrate this, he quotes Kabir Saheb: "My Lord is in every vessel, no bed is empty. But blessed is that vessel in which He manifests." He explains that the potential for the highest state of consciousness exists in every person, but it manifests in very few. The Upanishads are not a product of magic or a divine miracle; they are the result of a life lived with immense internal labor, truthfulness, discipline, and sacrifice. The speaker challenges the questioner, asking if they have lived a life of such discipline and made the same sacrifices as the Rishis. If one has, then they are a Maharishi (great sage) themselves. The Upanishads are the product of a life dedicated to truth, and their timeless quality comes from the profound life of their authors. He concludes that one must pay the price through spiritual practice and sacrifice to attain that state of consciousness from which such profound works can emerge.