Overcoming the Influence of Māyā Before Real Knowledge is Taken Away
Universities across the globe churn out highly decorated scholars and scientists, yet these individuals remain hopelessly blind to the existence of the Supreme Lord. Diagnosing this mass psychological defect, Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that the illusory energy of the Lord intentionally strips away the actual intelligence of those who rebel against divine authority. To avoid becoming a highly educated fool, one must recognize this danger and submissively adopt the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The Illusion of Modern Scholarship
Society typically bows down to individuals possessing advanced degrees, assuming they hold the keys to truth and progress. Breaking this dangerous spell, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that without God consciousness, all academic achievements are entirely worthless. Because these leaders ignore the spiritual soul, they remain locked in the grossest form of ignorance.
- Foolish rascals are described in the Bhagavad-gita as mayayapahrta-jnanah (Bhagavad-gita 7.15), which indicates that although they are superficially educated, maya has taken their real knowledge away. Such people are presently leading human society.
- He any asura may be M.A., Ph.D., from academic career, but his real knowledge is taken away. Therefore he is atheist. Actual knowledge is to know God.
- Mudha, rascals; naradhamah, lowest of the mankind; and mayayapahrta-jnana, and they're thinking very much advanced in education, but fool number one, maya has taken their real knowledge, mayayapahrta-jnana.
- One may say that there are so many big, big men, educated, learned. Krsna says, mayayapahrta-jnana. Although they have learned so many knowledge, still, maya has taken. The real knowledge has been taken.
The Theft of Real Knowledge
It is a profound psychological mechanism that when a person becomes overly proud of their mundane intellect, the material energy actively confiscates their wisdom. Explaining this strict law of nature, Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that any attempt to cheat the Supreme Lord only results in the soul cheating itself. The resulting godlessness is the heaviest penalty a living entity can endure.
- We want to cheat God and surpass Him, but this is not possible. People think themselves very advanced in knowledge, but actually, due to their pride, their knowledge is taken away by maya.
- By the illusory energy of maya, the so-called knowledge, our real knowledge has been taken away, and some foolish knowledge has been imposed upon us that we are thinking -- Oh, we are advancing. Advancement of knowledge.
- They so-called teachers of material society appear to be very learned scholars, but actually the influence of the illusory energy has taken away their knowledge. Real knowledge means searching out Krsna. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah -- Bhagavad-gita 15.15.
The Root of Atheism
The core motivation driving atheistic scientists is the desire to prove that the universe functions automatically without a Supreme Creator. Humbling this immense arrogance, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that despite their grand claims and massive laboratories, these intellectuals cannot mimic even the simplest acts of God. Their defiance is simply proof of their stolen intelligence.
- With their scientific knowledge they are unable to create even an egg. Such scientists are described in Bhagavad-gita as mayayapahrta jnanah (Bhagavad-gita 7.15), fools whose real knowledge has been taken away.
- Naradhama means the lowest of the mankind. And mayaya apahrta-jnanah, those whose knowledge have been taken by maya, asuram bhavam asritah. These classes of men do not surrender unto Krsna. We are not manufacturing these words.
- Rascal, you have studied so long, simply waste of time. Your real knowledge is taken away because you do not know God.
Escaping the Trap of Delusion
To break free from this powerful enchantment, one must abandon the pride of material education and adopt an attitude of submissive inquiry. By embracing the path of pure devotion, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that the illusory energy will step aside. Only by acknowledging our minute position as eternal servants can we regain our stolen spiritual vision.
- Apahrta-jnanah. His real knowledge is taken away. He does not know that he is small, God is great, his business is to serve God. This knowledge is taken away.
- Even they the mudhas are so-called educated, their real knowledge is taken away. Real knowledge is to inquire about the Absolute Truth, athato brahma jijnasa.
- Because of the temperament of the Mayavadi philosophers, real knowledge is taken from them. Because they cannot receive the mercy of the Lord, they will always be bewildered by His transcendental form.
Conclusion
By recognizing the dangerous pride that accompanies mundane scholarship, a sincere soul protects themselves from the blinding force of illusion. Offering the ultimate cure for this godless condition, Śrīla Prabhupāda proves that submissive devotion to Kṛṣṇa restores all lost intelligence and secures true enlightenment.
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 Real Knowledge Is Taken Away. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.