Realizing the Spirit Soul - That Is Knowledge
In today's society, universities grant degrees in countless subjects, leading people to believe they are highly educated. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently points out that an education that ignores the eternal spirit soul is not true knowledge. According to Vedic wisdom, real knowledge begins with understanding our spiritual identity and ultimately leads to a clear conception of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Self-Realization is the Beginning
The fundamental defect of modern civilization is the bodily concept of life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that identifying with the temporary physical form is ignorance. True knowledge begins with the firm conviction that one is a spirit soul, responsible for one's actions, and destined to transmigrate to another body after death.
- Knowledge means self-realization, that "I am not this body; I am spirit soul." That is knowledge.
- Aham brahmasmi. That is Vedic instruction. And as soon as you come to this point, if you are firmly convinced that you are not this body, that is called brahma-bhuta stage, Brahman realization stage. That is knowledge, real knowledge.
- Who is accepting another body? The Darwin's theory is that the body is changing to another body. That is nonsense. That is not the fact. The soul is transmigrating from one body to another. That is knowledge. This is fact.
- Materialistic point of view is like that. They do not know that we are eternal and we are responsible for our activities. That is knowledge. But they have no knowledge. They simply want to enjoy. They do not care for death also. Simply sense gratification.
Understanding the Supreme Proprietor
Self-realization is incomplete without God realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the ultimate aim of all study—whether science, mathematics, or philosophy—must be to understand Kṛṣṇa as the original source and absolute proprietor of everything that exists.
- Any kind of knowledge, it doesn't matter whether it is political or scientific or philosophical or mathematical - there are different - but the ultimate aim should be to understand what is God. That is knowledge.
- If you are a student of Vedas, then you must have clear conception of God. That is real knowledge, no vague idea, but clear conception. That is knowledge, Vedic knowledge.
- Nothing can manifest itself in this material world which is not in Krsna. That is knowledge; although we know that things are differently situated, we should realize that everything flows from Krsna.
- Full knowledge means that the jiva-atma, the living entity, must know both his position and the Supreme's position. That is full knowledge.
Receiving from the Right Source
Spiritual subjects are beyond the perception of blunt material senses and cannot be understood through physical dissection or mental speculation. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that perfect knowledge must be received through the descending process by hearing from a bona fide spiritual master.
- Acaryavan puruso veda. One who is acaryavan, who has taken shelter of acarya, he knows. Why? Because acarya receives knowledge from Krsna and he distributes knowledge to his disciple. That is perfect knowledge.
- The disciple must be also serious to understand about the spiritual subject matter. That is knowledge, brahma-jijnasa. One who is inquisitive to know about the Absolute Truth, he requires to approach a guru.
- Sruti, which is beyond the sense perception, you have to hear it from authorities. That is knowledge.
- If you want to find out where is soul, and if you dissect the heart, then soul is gone. That is another danger. Better understand from the authority. That is knowledge. Sastra-caksusa.
The Platform of Goodness
A person whose consciousness is clouded by material attachments cannot perceive the truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that real knowledge requires elevation to the mode of goodness, where the illusions of temporary societal and national designations are removed, allowing one to see their eternal relationship with the Lord.
- Knowledge means those who are situated in the quality of goodness, prakasa, everything is clearly understood. That is knowledge.
- When there is prominence of goodness, then we can understand what is what: what is God, what I am, what is this world. That is knowledge.
- Everyone is attached. And this is ignorance. This is illusion, that developed society, community, nationality. But what is that? That attachment. But that attachment has to be taken away. That is knowledge.
- This knowledge, we have to acquire, that "We have got the greatest powerful friend in Krsna, and He is with me." This is knowledge. Just like when you chant Krsna, Hare Krsna, actually the fact is Krsna is dancing on your tongue by sound vibration.
Conclusion
The pursuit of knowledge is the defining characteristic of human life, but it must be directed properly. Śrīla Prabhupāda makes it clear that dedicating one's life to understanding temporary, material subjects while ignoring the reality of impending death is not education at all. Real knowledge awakens when a person becomes firmly convinced of their spiritual identity as a soul, separate from the temporary body. By seeking out a bona fide spiritual master and elevating oneself to the platform of goodness, the conditioned soul learns to see beyond the material curtain. Ultimately, the perfection of all knowledge is a clear and resolute understanding of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, and engaging in His loving service to permanently conquer the cycle of birth and death.
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 That Is Knowledge. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.