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 be understood equally well without the ruby text, like this: !enter image description here

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.