Acharya Prashant explains that one's thought can be very sharp, and one might have acquired much knowledge and have a strong intellect, but thought will always operate on the material plane. Therefore, thought should never have the pride or arrogance of having reached the Truth. Thought is not the Truth, nor can it ever reach the Truth. The proper subject and use of thought is always related to material subjects. The purpose of thought is to ensure there are no superstitions or misconceptions about the material world. The job of thought is not to investigate the Truth, but to investigate the untruth. It is completely futile to think about subjects like God or liberation. On such ultimate, fundamental, or celestial matters, one should just be silent, as these are not subjects for contemplation. The speaker clarifies that this teaching is addressed to the ego. The ego hopes that by remaining as it is, or by becoming a little better or modified, it can reach the Truth. The ego is ready to change its appearance, color, and clothes to attain the Truth, but its core condition is that it wants to continue existing. It says, "I will not leave my core, but I am ready for external changes." For example, "I am ignorant, I will change and become knowledgeable, but the 'I' will remain." Or, "I am talkative, I will become silent, but the 'I' will remain." The entire focus of the Upanishads is to show the ego its limits. The relationship between a Guru and a disciple is a game where the disciple wants to understand on his own terms, while the Guru's job is to break those limits. The Guru's answer is not a direct response to the question but a strike at the existence of the 'I'. The real battle is not on the physical plane but on the existence of the 'I' itself. The issue is not about finding what is right, but about realizing that "we are wrong." The whole process is about discovering the untruth, not searching for the Truth. The Truth cannot be found by the ego; it is found by "dying" to the ego. The ego wants to grasp the Truth, but the Truth is bigger than the ego that tries to grasp it. If love for what is important does not arise, it does not matter; giving it importance is enough. The life of Shri Ram was about doing what is important, which is called duty (kartavya) and dharma. The question is not whether to do something or not, but how to do it. One must find ways, increase strength, and use intellect. The heart should follow you; you should not follow where your heart is attached. This is practice (abhyas).
