Is ruby text essential?


I am trying to understand whether the ruby text in ancient scripture is
essential to the meaning of a verse, or if the scripture can be understood
without it. For instance, can this verse:

![with ruby text](https://i.stack.imgur.com/99V7x.png)

be understood equally well without the ruby text, like this:

![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/co2CC.png)




It's probably only essential for an unusual reading of kanji. Even then, if
you know what the kanji means, it's only essential for the pronunciation and
not the meaning.




It's probably only essential for an unusual reading of kanji. Even then, if
you know what the kanji means, it's only essential for the pronunciation and
not the meaning.

