View source for Descending Process of the Absolute Truth

The search for reality often leads the conditioned soul through various philosophical and scientific paths. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Absolute Truth is not something to be conquered by the strength of our own intellect. Because we are limited by imperfect senses, the only way to reach the Supreme is to adopt the descending process of receiving knowledge from a higher authority.

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=== Limitation of the Ascending Process ===

Many thinkers try to understand the Absolute Truth through the inductive or ascending process, exercising their mental power to reach a conclusion. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that this method is doomed to failure because human senses are imperfect and liable to error. Even if a philosopher travels at the speed of mind for millions of years, the Absolute Truth will remain far away. The Lord reserves the right of not being exposed to those who rely solely on their teeny brains and learned scholarship without a bona fide touch of the Absolute.

* [[Vaniquotes:By the ascending process, no one can reach the Lord, even by a long-term endeavor of many, many years. What is obtained by this ascending process, however, is imperfect, partial, impersonal knowledge, liable to be deviant from the Absolute Truth|By the ascending process, no one can reach the Lord, even by a long-term endeavor of many, many years. What is obtained by this ascending process, however, is imperfect, partial, impersonal knowledge, liable to be deviant from the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Our process is avaroha pantha, descending process, and the Mayavadi philosopher's policy or system is ascending policy. I want to understand the Absolute Truth by exercising my mental power - that is called ascending process, or inductive process|Our process is avaroha pantha, descending process, and the Mayavadi philosopher's policy or system is ascending policy. I want to understand the Absolute Truth by exercising my mental power - that is called ascending process, or inductive process.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Personality of Godhead is unapproachable by those who are habituated to speculation about the Absolute Truth in terms of experimental scientific thought, without reference to the transcendental vibration|The Personality of Godhead is unapproachable by those who are habituated to speculation about the Absolute Truth in terms of experimental scientific thought, without reference to the transcendental vibration.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As stated in the Brahma-samhita, the mental speculators, even by dint of learned scholarship, cannot even dream of the Absolute Truth by speculating over it for eternity. The Lord reserves the right of not being exposed to such mental speculators|As stated in the Brahma-samhita, the mental speculators, even by dint of learned scholarship, cannot even dream of the Absolute Truth by speculating over it for eternity. The Lord reserves the right of not being exposed to such mental speculators.]]

=== Receiving Knowledge Through the Mother Vedas ===

Because we cannot see the origin of everything with our own eyes, we must rely on the authority of the ''Vedas''. Śrīla Prabhupāda compares the ''Vedas'' to a mother; just as a mother is the only authority to identify the father of a child, the ''Vedas'' are the only authority to inform us about the Absolute Truth. This descending knowledge is presented without mistake or cheating by recognized authorities. By accepting the Vedic hymns as absolute, one avoids the pitfalls of mundane logic and word jugglery that never lead to a real conclusion.

* [[Vaniquotes:As the mother is the only authority to identify the father of a child, so the mother Vedas, presented by the recognized authority such as Brahma, Narada or Siva, is the only authority to inform us about the Absolute Truth|As the mother is the only authority to identify the father of a child, so the mother Vedas, presented by the recognized authority such as Brahma, Narada or Siva, is the only authority to inform us about the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I am citing Sanskrit verses from Vedic literature because according to our concept of civilization, we take Vedic hymns or Vedic version as Absolute Truth, without any mistake, without any cheating|I am citing Sanskrit verses from Vedic literature because according to our concept of civilization, we take Vedic hymns or Vedic version as Absolute Truth, without any mistake, without any cheating.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Absolute Truth must descend from the absolute platform. He is not to be understood by the ascending process|The Absolute Truth must descend from the absolute platform. He is not to be understood by the ascending process.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because there is so much word jugglery in logic, one can never come to the real conclusion about the Absolute Truth by argument. The followers of the Vedic principles understand this|Because there is so much word jugglery in logic, one can never come to the real conclusion about the Absolute Truth by argument. The followers of the Vedic principles understand this.]]

=== The Necessity of a Bona Fide Guru ===

The descending process requires a transparent medium through which the Truth can be known. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one must approach a spiritual master who is self-realized and experienced in the Absolute Truth. The disciple's duty is to inquire submissively and render service, as instructed in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. Even if the ''guru'' is fully realized, the student must ask intelligent questions to understand all critical points. This submissive hearing from a bona fide authority is the only way the Absolute Truth reveals Himself within the heart.

* [[Vaniquotes:To accept guru means to inquire from him about the Absolute Truth|To accept guru means to inquire from him about the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Although your spiritual master may be self-realized and experienced in the Absolute Truth, still, you have to question. You have to understand from him all critical points by your intelligent questions. That is allowed|Although your spiritual master may be self-realized and experienced in the Absolute Truth, still, you have to question. You have to understand from him all critical points by your intelligent questions. That is allowed.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Absolute Truth, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is realized by hearing about Him in all submission and love from a bona fide authority who is a representative of the twelve great authorities mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam|The Absolute Truth, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is realized by hearing about Him in all submission and love from a bona fide authority who is a representative of the twelve great authorities mentioned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should first want to inquire about Brahman and then search out a master who has perfect vision of the Absolute Truth (jnaninas tattva-darsinah (BG 4.34)). Krsna is the supreme tattva, Absolute Truth|One should first want to inquire about Brahman and then search out a master who has perfect vision of the Absolute Truth (jnaninas tattva-darsinah (BG 4.34)). Krsna is the supreme tattva, Absolute Truth.]]

=== Three Phases of Absolute Understanding ===

Through the descending process, the seeker learns that the Absolute Truth is realized in three distinct features. Initially, one may perceive the impersonal Brahman, which is compared to seeing the sunshine without knowing its source. Further progress leads to the realization of Paramātmā, the localized Supersoul in the heart. However, the last word in absolute understanding is Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the origin of both Brahman and Paramātmā, and unless one understands Him, they remain in partial darkness regarding the Truth.

* [[Vaniquotes:Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan|Learned transcendentalists who know the Absolute Truth call this nondual substance Brahman, Paramatma or Bhagavan.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Absolute Truth, is observed from three angle of vision - Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan - but all of them are the same and one object. So simply by realization of Brahman, impersonal Brahman, is not perfect knowledge of the Absolute Truth|Absolute Truth, is observed from three angle of vision - Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan - but all of them are the same and one object. So simply by realization of Brahman, impersonal Brahman, is not perfect knowledge of the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 1.2.11), brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate. Unless one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original source of both Brahman and Paramatma, one is still in darkness about the Absolute Truth|As explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 1.2.11), brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate. Unless one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original source of both Brahman and Paramatma, one is still in darkness about the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Absolute Truth is vision from three angles of vision. Those who are trying to understand the Absolute Truth by the ascending process, they can reach up to the impersonal Brahman. Those who are trying to find out the Absolute Truth within himself|Absolute Truth is vision from three angles of vision. Those who are trying to understand the Absolute Truth by the ascending process, they can reach up to the impersonal Brahman. Those who are trying to find out the Absolute Truth within himself.]]

=== The Purpose of the Human Mission ===

The primary responsibility of human life is to inquire into the Absolute Truth, a task impossible for those in animal forms. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the ''Vedānta-sūtra'' begins with the command ''athāto brahma jijñāsā'', meaning "Now is the time to inquire about the Absolute Truth." Human civilization is meant for this purpose, not for wasting time in animal propensities. By focusing on the origin from which everything emanates—as discussed in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''—one becomes situated on the spiritual platform and finds real satisfaction beyond temporary material necessities.

* [[Vaniquotes:This human form of life is meant for inquiring about the Absolute Truth|This human form of life is meant for inquiring about the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the human form of life one should not be engaged simply in the animal propensities. That is simply waste of time. He must inquire of the Absolute Truth|In the human form of life one should not be engaged simply in the animal propensities. That is simply waste of time. He must inquire of the Absolute Truth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Absolute Truth is explained in the Vedanta-sutra, janmady asya yatah (SB 1.1.1). Absolute Truth is that from whom everything comes into existence, everything emanates|Absolute Truth is explained in the Vedanta-sutra, janmady asya yatah (SB 1.1.1). Absolute Truth is that from whom everything comes into existence, everything emanates.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.6) explains that one has to achieve real satisfaction (yayatma suprasidati), but atma - the body, mind and soul - all become completely satisfied only if one develops devotional service to the Absolute Truth|Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.6) explains that one has to achieve real satisfaction (yayatma suprasidati), but atma - the body, mind and soul - all become completely satisfied only if one develops devotional service to the Absolute Truth.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Realization of the Absolute Truth is ultimately achieved through the path of devotional service, or ''bhakti''. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that Kṛṣṇa and His teachings are non-different; therefore, by submissively hearing the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', one directly contacts the Absolute Truth. This realization clearing the darkness of materialistic speculation and dismantles the false ego. When we accept our position as fragmental parts of the Supreme Whole, we can wholeheartedly surrender to the Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, who is the origin of all incarnations and the source of transcendental bliss.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Absolute Truth|Absolute Truth]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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