Approaching a Spiritual Master and Trying to Learn the Truth
The vast expanse of material knowledge can never solve the fundamental problems of human existence. To acquire actual spiritual vision, Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly stresses the necessity of approaching an authorized representative of the Lord. True enlightenment begins only when the conditioned soul gives up a challenging attitude and sincerely tries to learn the truth through submissive inquiry and service.
The Necessity of Submissive Inquiry
Transcendental knowledge cannot be purchased, nor can it be conquered by mundane intellect. Pointing to the direct instructions of Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that one must find a self-realized soul who has seen the truth. To receive this profound knowledge, the disciple must abandon pride and try to learn through absolute surrender and submissive questioning. Without this humble approach, spiritual realization remains impossible.
- In Bhagavad-gita (BG 4.34) the Supreme Personality of Godhead advises: Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
- After finding out such a Spiritual Master one should try to learn the truth from him by inquiring submissively and rendering service unto him.
- Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.
- Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him.
Surrender to the Bona Fide Representative
The process of taking perfect knowledge requires a qualified recipient and an authentic source. Demystifying the method of spiritual education, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the first step is to locate someone of genuine spiritual importance. Once such a representative of the Lord is found, the student must surrender fully. Seriousness and sincerity are the true qualifications; without them, the attempt to learn will ultimately fail.
- How to take perfect knowledge? Tad viddhi. First of all you try to learn. Tad viddhi. How to learn? Where to learn? Pranipatena, fully surrendered. If you find somebody that he is somebody important where you can surrender fully, from him.
- He was trying to learn, but he could not learn it. If he is serious, he can learn, but he is not serious.
- All we have to do is take this Vedic literature, try to learn it and distribute it. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission.
- You shall try to learn the various literatures very carefully and present everywhere in classes and books, that is very good. This is a nice idea and if you can do it, it is great service and Krsna will bless you.
Beyond Academic Endeavors
While practical skills can be useful for spreading the mission, they should never distract from the primary goal of spiritual realization. Advising his disciples on the proper use of time, Śrīla Prabhupāda cautions against wasting energy merely trying to learn multiple local languages or chasing university degrees. While learning a language for immediate preaching is acceptable, the core focus must always remain on mastering the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- I do not think you should spend your time at this stage of life in trying to learn so many different local languages. That is not practical.
- I think there is no need of getting a degree. If you can spare some time, you try to learn Bengali, from Sriman Prabhansu. It will be a great asset for our Mission; and as you have decided to work to get money, I quite approve.
- As far as possible though, you all should try to learn a little German. One should learn the local native language if one desires to live there.
- English is not my mother language, but I have tried to learn it, and I am doing my business. That's all. Similarly, you can learn any language. You can learn Sanskrit. You can pronounce very nicely. It requires learning. That's all.
Learning the Ultimate Goal of Love
The culmination of all Vedic study and submissive inquiry is not to become a dry philosopher, but to awaken one's eternal relationship with the Lord. Defining the true purpose of existence, Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that we must simply try to learn how to love God. When one reaches this platform of pure affection, the Supreme Lord automatically reveals Himself, and the soul engages in the eternal exchange of transcendental loving service.
- First of all you begin, try to learn how to love God. And when you are actually on the platform of love, prema, you will see God always in His form. He becomes revealed. You haven't got to try to see, but He will reveal.
- We have to try, we have to learn how to love Krsna. And love begins with this give and take. You give something to your lover; he gives you something to you. In this way love develops. Dadati pratigrhnati.
- Just try to learn all about Krsna, chant Hare Krsna, and you will be a great preacher of our Krsna Consciousness movement.
Conclusion
To penetrate the dense illusion of material life, the sincere seeker must abandon mental speculation and humbly approach an authorized spiritual master. As Śrīla Prabhupāda continuously emphasizes, trying to learn the truth requires surrender, service, and a submissive heart. By dedicating our time to learning the science of devotion rather than mundane academic pursuits, we ultimately master the supreme art of loving Kṛṣṇa.
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 Trying to Learn. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.