It is a very basic and significant question, and only when we think deeply about it will we understand its mystery. The Vedas, the Bible, the Upanishads and the Koran have long been available to us, so why do we need saints and holy masters? It seems to mean that as long as man cannot practically experience spiritual knowledge for himself, there will always be a need for enlightened souls in this world. In other words, we need the assistance of enlightened masters because we don't understand the deep and secret meanings of the scriptures. I have met religious scholars who are so learned that if you give them one word they'll complete the whole verse for you. You can take a line from any part of the Ramayana, and they will complete the whole section for you, including all the couplets and verses. They have mastered the scriptures. Accomplishing this feat can affect a person in two ways: He can think that he knows all there is to know, and that he doesn't have to be taught anything, or he can feel that there is something else he ought to know which is beyond the scriptures. Scientists do research and experiments, but none of them will say that he has discovered all there is to know. If they thought like this, then there would be no more inventions and no more Nobel prizes. Science keeps on developing and discovering new things. If this did not happen, it could not advance. Socrates' admirers used to say to him, "Sir, you have attained great heights, you are very wise and intellectual. How did you become so great?" Socrates answered," Because I know that I know nothing"
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