ÇRÉLA PRABHUPÄDA ON
EXCERPTS FROM ÇRÉLA PRABHUPÄDA’S TEACHINGS
Jïäna-yoga, Linking Knowledge With Devotion What is absolute knowledge? How can this knowledge help in attaining devotion to God? What happens to one who is devoid of this knowledge?
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupäda Founder-äcärya of The International Society for Krishna Consciousness
ABSOLUTE KNOWLEDGE Jïäna refers to knowledge of self as distinguished from non-self, or in other words, knowledge that the spirit soul is not the body. Vijïäna refers to specific knowledge of the spirit soul’s constitutional position and his relationship to the Supreme Soul. It is explained thus in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam (2.9.31):
Gétä 3.41, purport) “He is knowledge, He is the object of knowledge, and He is the goal of knowledge. He is situated in everyone’s heart.” (Gétä 13.18) JÏÄNA-YOGA, JÏÄNA-YOGÉ,
jïänaà parama-guhyaà me yadvijïäna-samanvitam sa-rahasyaà tad-aìgaà ca gåhäëagaditaàmayä “The knowledge of the self and Supreme Self is very confidential and mysterious, but such knowledge and specific realization can be understood if explained with their various aspects by the Lord Himself.” Bhagavad-gétä gives us that general and specific knowledge of the self. The living entities are parts and parcels of the Lord, and therefore they are simply meant to serve the Lord. This consciousness is called Kåñëa consciousness. So, from the very beginning of life one has to learn this Kåñëa consciousness, and thereby one may become fully Kåñëa conscious and act accordingly.
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Scriptures like Bhagavad-gétä gives us general and specific knowledge of the self.
APRIL 2011
3/11/2011, 3:53 PM