Paramada (negligence , oversight) :

When we study a particular phenomenon, there can be negligence, carelessness, oversight etc. Meteorologists study many factors and predict the weather. Sometimes they issue a new forecast (invalidating an earlier forecast) stating or rather admitting that they neglected to take some factors into consideration while preparing the earlier forecast.

Vipralabhdhi (deception) :

Our vision, knowledge and ideas are often influenced by other people's opinions. We blindly believe what we read in the newspaper especially if it enjoys a good reputation. Are large dams beneficial? Do the advantages (capacity to store a large amount of water, electricity generation etc.) outweigh the disadvantages (enormous cost, submerging vast tracks of land, uprooting entire communities etc.) ? Our knowledge and opinion is invariably based on the articles we read that may not be objective but prejudices or biased.

Apatukaranathram (limitation of instruments) :

Our knowledge and ability to study a phenomenon will always be restricted to the capacity or limitations of the instruments we use including our own faculties. The ear can hear sounds only within a certain frequency range. Dogs can hear sounds inaudible to humans. Animals can discern smells ,humans cannot. Every instrument has its own capacity. Even with the most powerful microscope or telescope we cannot see objects smaller than a certain size or beyond a certain distance. Thus we will never know the world as it really is.

Due to the limitations of the intellect, we can never know the truth by ourselves, be it secular or spiritual. We require a Guru. When we require a 'Guru' (teacher, coach) for music, dance or sports, can we even even imagine acquiring spiritual knowledge purely by self effort? Sankara says even the most intelligent person should not try to acquire Self - Knowledge independently.

What will happen if we attempt to study the scriptures on our own? Our efforts will not lead to knowledge but only confusion.Vidyaranya says in Anubhutiprakasa :

Vedantanamanekatvath Samsayanaam bahutvataha : |

Vedyasyatisookshmatvaath na jaanati Gurum vina ||

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