II. Reason and RevelationScientists insist that whatever knowledge we have gained about
this mysterious universe we owe to reason. This knowledge may be
scanty, meagre and insufficient; nonetheless it is valuable and
indispensable. Scientific investigation reveals reason at its best.
Slowly and painfully science is increasing, bit by bit, our stock of
knowledge. However, we may be permitted to ask whether there is
any other avenue to knowledge, at least to knowledge that matters
more – knowledge of our goal in life and how best it may be
attained.
The advice that reason tenders us is based on the knowledge at its
disposal. If the knowledge is inadequate, the advice is necessarily
tentative, as if reason says; "Try it and see whether it works. If it
does not, I would reconsider the matter and suggest something
else.” Reason can come to the right decision only when all the
relevant facts are placed before it. It is helpless when these facts
cannot all be obtained. So far as the material world and the human
body are concerned, we possess, today, sufficient knowledge.
Reason can be relied upon to give the right answer to many a
question that may arise regarding the body of man. But man
possesses a real self also and our knowledge of it is pitifully
inadequate. The real self is not susceptible to quantitative treatment
of the scientist. Guidance to it can be given only in the light of
eternal verities which transcend reason. Reason cannot apprehend
Ultimate Reality and the self of man can realise itself only by the
guidance of the Ultimate Reality or God. Hence arises the necessity
for man to seek Divine Guidance without which he will remain
earth-bound. In affairs relating to the physical world, we should
always act on the advice of reason, to reject which would be to court
disaster. But when we aspire to fulfil our destiny, we would be ill-
advised to place absolute reliance on our reason alone. We should
seek the aid of Revelation which is the vehicle of Divine guidance.
Reason functioning in the light of Revelation will guide us to the
true path. By this view, Revelation supplements reason. In this way
we will be fully equipped to tackle the problems of life and we would
be guilty of gross ingratitude to God if we refuse to make use of the
powers with which He has endowed us and the light (of Revelation)
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