Scientific Commentary on Vedānta Sutras

Srila Prabhupada often told us that nothing in this world was actually material. Activities done for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord do not bind us, but are rather the cause of liberation from the material existence. Thus, he felt that the scientific propensity to inquire into the ultimate nature of things can be engaged in the search for the nature of the Absolute Truth, and thus it can be the cause of greatest human benefit. The human form of life is meant to understand the original source of everything and this is the first statement in the Vedanta Sutras, athatho brahma-jijnasa. The scientists are attempting to understand reality but only in a limited way. The devotee scientists must however present the knowledge of Absolute Truth as summarized in the Vedanta Sutras.

"We have to explain what is meant by Vedanta. Veda means knowledge and anta means end, we have already explained. So everyone is searching after knowledge, inquisitiveness. The science is also the same process. Science is trying to find out the ultimate cause, starting point. Is it not? That is scientific research. So we have our departments of knowledge. He can study even a flower. Go on studying, you can come to the seed, the potential. This is scientific research. To find out the ultimate cause. So they so many department of knowledge. Department of science, department of art. Vedanta means the Ultimate knowledge, the Original. That is called brahma-jijnasa. … [it] means this human form of life is specially meant for enquiring Absolute Truth. If the human being does not enquire about it then he's animal. You have to prove it logically, scientifically. This is first sutra. So you write on upon one sutra, then I give you next sutra. Everyone of you can write according to understanding, athatho brahma-jijnasa. Now, this is the life for enquiring about the Ultimate goal, Absolute Truth." [Personal recording, Morning Walk Conversation, Los Angeles, April 15, 1973]

Srila Prabhupada felt that a scientific explanation of Vedanta Sutras would be very unique in the history of humankind. It will establish the Krishna consciousness movement on a solid philosophical footing. His instructions illustrate a vital point. As we will later see, Srila Prabhupada wanted the athatho brahma-jijnasa aphorism on the logo of the Bhaktivedanta Institute. He saw this sutra echoing the scientific mentality to search out in details the ultimate nature of reality. He was convinced that the scientific propensity can be utilized in service of Supreme Lord and this can be the source of great advantage in the spreading Vedic culture scientifically. Unfortunately, due to other preoccupations Srila Prabhupada could not devote further time on this matter. His instructions present a task yet to be fulfilled.