Śaṅkaraon Brahma Sūtra 3.3.30

Our view of the matter, viz. that a man’s proceeding on the path of the gods has a meaning in certain cases but not in others, is justified by the following consideration. In meditations on the qualified Brahman such as the paryahka- vidyd we sec a reason for the man s proceeding on the path of the gods ; for the text mentions certain results which can be reached only by the man going to different places, such as his mounting a couch, his holding a colloquy with Brahman seated on the couch, his perceiving vai'ious odours and so on. On the other hand we do not see that going on the path of the gods has anything to do with perfect know- ledge. h\)r those who have risen to the intuition of the Selfs unity, whose every wish is fulfilled, in whom the potentiality of all suffering is already destroyed here below, have nothing further to look for but the dissolution of the abode of activity and enjoyment of former deeds, i.e. the body; in their case therefore to proceed on the road of the gods would be — purposeless. The distinction is analogous to what is observed in ordinary life. If we want to reach some village wc have to proceed on a path leading there but no moving on a path is required when we wish to attain freedom from — sickness. The distinction made here will be established more carefully in the fourth adhyaya.