specualtion (jnana) & Ritualistic performances (karma)
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Bhakti should have no tinge of philosophical speculation or ritualistic performances. Practically there are three processes for elevating one to the platform of spiritual consciousness. These processes are called karma, jnana and bhakti. Ritualistic performances are in the field of karma. Speculative processes are in the field of jnana. One who has taken to bhakti, the devotional service of the Lord, need have nothing to do with karma or jnana. It has been already explained that pure devotional service is without any tinge of karma or jnana. Bhakti should have no tinge of philosophical speculation or ritualistic performances.
(More...) In this connection Srila Rūpa Gosvami gives evidence from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Eleventh Canto, in which it is said by Lord Krsna to Uddhava, "The distinction between qualification and disqualification may be made in this way: persons who are already elevated in discharging devotional service will never again take shelter of the processes of fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. If one sticks to devotional service and is conducted by regulative principles given by the authorities and acaryas, that is the best qualification."
(More...) This statement is supported in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, First Canto, 5th Chapter, 17th verse, wherein Sri Narada Muni advises Vyasadeva thusly: "Even if one does not execute his specific occupational duty, but immediately takes direct shelter of the lotus feet of Hari [Krsna], there will be no fault on his part, and in all circumstances his position is secure. Even if, by some bad association, he falls down while executing devotional service, or if he doesn't finish the complete course of devotional service and dies untimely, still he is not at a loss. A person who is simply discharging his occupational duty in varna and asrama, however, with no Krsna consciousness, practically does not gain the true benefit of human life." The purport is that all conditioned souls who are engaged very frantically in activities for sense gratification, without knowing that this process will never help them to get out of material contamination, are awarded only with repeated births and deaths.
(More...) In the Fifth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam it is clearly stated by Rsabhadeva to his sons: "Persons engaged in fruitive activities are repeatedly accepting birth and death, and until they develop a loving feeling for Vasudeva, there will be no question of getting out from these stringent laws of material nature." As such, any person who is very seriously engaged in his occupational duties in the varnas and asramas, and who does not develop love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva, is to be understood as simply spoiling his human form of life.
(More...) Imported quote 17011 Ignorance fighting will not make any solution of the problem. We must come to the light and take knowledge from the most enlightened, Krsna, Bhagavan. Bhagavan means He is endowed with six kind of opulence. He is the supreme rich. He is the supreme famous. He is supreme beauty and supreme wise. So we have to take knowledge from the supreme wise. That knowledge is perfect. Therefore here it is said, bhagavan uvaca. He did not say krsna uv... Vyasadeva does not say "Krsna," because Krsna may be taken by the demons as something like us. So therefore he purposefully says, bhagavan uvaca. Bhagavan uvaca means the Supreme Personality of God. There cannot be any doubt about His knowledge. So bhagavan uvaca, whatever Bhagavan says, that is fact; that is not knowledge like that "It may be," "Perhaps." These are all rascaldom. "It may be," "Perhaps"-that is not knowledge. That is speculation. Speculation is different. And knowledge is different. You cannot speculate about the absolute knowledge, because our senses are imperfect. How we can speculate or come to the right conclusion? That is not possible. We must receive direct knowledge. This is this. Therefore it is said, bhagavan uvaca.
(More...) Imported quote 17174 Therefore sastra says, harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna mano-rathenasati dhavato bahiḥ [SB 5.18.12]. Harav abhaktasya, one who is not a divine nature or devotee of the Lord, he has no qualification. "Oh, he's M.A., Ph.D." No, he has no qualification. "Why?" Now, mano-rathena, he is simply speculating. He has no truth. How by speculation...? Every one of us, we are imperfect. We are very much proud of our eyes: "Can you show me?" What qualification your eyes have got that you can see? He does not think that, that "I have no qualification; still, I want to see." These eyes, oh, they are dependent on so many condition. Now there is electricity, you can see. As soon as there is electricity off, you cannot see. Then what is the value of your eyes? You cannot see what is going on beyond this wall.
(More...) Direct perception is speculation. Dr. Frog. Dr. Frog is speculating what is Atlantic Ocean. He is in the well, three-feet well, and some friend inform him, "Oh, I have seen vast water." "What is that vast water?" "Atlantic Ocean." "How big it is?" "Very, very big." So the Dr. Frog is thinking, "Maybe four feet. This well is three feet. It may be four feet. All right, five feet. Come on, ten feet." So in this way, speculating, how the frog, Dr. Frog, will understand Atlantic Ocean or Pacific Ocean? Can you estimate the length and breadth of the Atlantic, Pacific Ocean by speculation? So by speculation you cannot have. They are speculating so many years about this universe, how many stars are there, what is the length and breadth, where is the... Nobody knows anything even of the material world, and what to speak of the spiritual world. That is beyond, far beyond.
(More...) Therefore sastra says, acintyaḥ khalu ye bhava na tams tarkena yojayet [Skanda Purana]. Acintya, which is inconceivable, beyond your sense perception, don't try to argue and understand it and speculate. This is foolishness. It is not possible. Therefore we have to go to the guru. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet, samit-paniḥ srotriyam brahma-nistham [Munḍaka Upanisad 1.2.12].
(More...) Imported quote 18779 So here it is said, therefore, dravya-sphurana-vijnanam. Dravya means physical. Dravya-jnana. Dravya-jnana means physical knowledge. And brahma-jnana means spiritual knowledge. So here it is said, dravya-sphurana. The material, physical, phenomenal atmosphere is developing one after another. The medical science, they are trying to study different cells; but what from the cells came into action? That is by the influence or by the manipulation of prakrti. Prakrteḥ kriyamanani [Bg 3.27]. And prakrti is working under the direction of Supreme Lord, Krsna. Mayadhyaksena prakrtiḥ [Bg 9.10].
(More...) Imported quote 20837 Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your Vyasa Puja offering dated August 22, 1974, received just now and I am very glad to receive it; better late than never. I thank you very much for your sentiments. Satisfaction of the spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life. The Lord is the original spiritual master, and a person in the disciplic succession can convey the message of the Lord as it is to his sincere disciple. We cannot manufacture our own process, therefore mental speculation does not at all help us in spiritual life. One simply has to surrender himself to his guru and everything will be revealed to him. I hope this meets you in good health. Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/?qg=3090
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