By Swami Chidananda
Being street smart can certainly help us in our pursuit of wealth (artha) and pleasure (kāma). As we graduate to the search for order (dharma) and liberation (moksha), we need to return to innocence, childlike simplicity. A mantra from the Yajurveda addresses ‘pranava’ (Omkāra) and says the exalted truth of the ultimate reality is encased in Om but those who are steeped in worldly wisdom cannot have a vision of this Om. They miss both Om, the pointer, and Brahman that is pointed out by Om.
O Divine Principle of Om, You are the sheath that holds Brahman, the Supreme Truth. Worldly intelligence covers you.
brahmanah kosho’si, medhayā pihitah
Taittiriya Upanishad, 1.7
(Valli 4, Anuvāka 7)