The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the science of Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Personality of Godhead of whom we have preliminary information from the text of the Bhagavad-gītā. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said that anyone, regardless of what he is, who is well versed in the science of Kṛṣṇa (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā) can become an authorized preacher or preceptor in the science of Kṛṣṇa.
Science of Krsna (Books): Difference between revisions
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<div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" class="section" sec_index="0" parent="compilation" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is"><h2>Bhagavad-gita As It Is</h2> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="BG Chapters 1 - 6"><h3>BG Chapters 1 - 6</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG28_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="47" link="BG 2.8" link_text="BG 2.8"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 2.8 (1972)|BG 2.8, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">"It does not matter whether a person is a vipra (learned scholar in Vedic wisdom) or is born in a lower family, or is in the renounced order of life-if he is master in the science of Kṛṣṇa, he is the perfect and bona fide spiritual master."</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG28_1" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="47" link="BG 2.8" link_text="BG 2.8"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 2.8 (1972)|BG 2.8, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">In many parts of the world there are states which are replete with all facilities of life, which are full of wealth and economically developed, yet the problems of material existence are still present. They are seeking peace in different ways, but they can achieve real happiness only if they consult Kṛṣṇa, or the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam—which constitute the science of Kṛṣṇa—through the bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa, the man in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG44_2" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="157" link="BG 4.4" link_text="BG 4.4"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.4 (1972)|BG 4.4, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">It is necessary that everyone, for his own interest, know the science of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, when Kṛṣṇa Himself speaks about Himself, it is auspicious for all the worlds.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="BG Chapters 7 - 12"><h3>BG Chapters 7 - 12</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG71_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="1" link="BG 7.1" link_text="BG 7.1"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 7.1 (1972)|BG 7.1, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Therefore only by hearing from Kṛṣṇa or from His devotee in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can one understand the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG91_1" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="59" link="BG 9.1" link_text="BG 9.1"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 9.1 (1972)|BG 9.1, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The devotees are constantly engaged in the Supreme Lord's service. The Lord understands the mentality and sincerity of a particular living entity who is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and gives him the intelligence to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa in the association of devotees.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG91_2" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="59" link="BG 9.1" link_text="BG 9.1"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 9.1 (1972)|BG 9.1, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">By the practice of these nine elements of devotional service one is elevated to spiritual consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. When one's heart is thus cleared of material contamination, one can understand this science of Kṛṣṇa. Simply to understand that a living entity is not material is not sufficient.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG92_3" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="60" link="BG 9.2" link_text="BG 9.2"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 9.2 (1972)|BG 9.2, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is also confirmed that when one becomes purified by executing the process of devotional service, especially by hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or Bhagavad-gītā from realized souls, then he can understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, or the science of God.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG911_4" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="69" link="BG 9.11" link_text="BG 9.11"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 9.11 (1972)|BG 9.11, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">There are many controversies between the impersonalists and the personalists about the Lord's appearance as a human being. But if we consult Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the authoritative texts for understanding the science of Kṛṣṇa, then we can understand that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG934_5" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="92" link="BG 9.34" link_text="BG 9.34"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 9.34 (1972)|BG 9.34, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">This means that there is no difference in Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, between Himself and His body. But because the commentators do not know this science of Kṛṣṇa, they hide Kṛṣṇa and divide His personality from His mind or from His body. Although this is sheer ignorance of the science of Kṛṣṇa, some men make profit out of misleading people.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG1015_6" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="105" link="BG 10.15" link_text="BG 10.15"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 10.15 (1972)|BG 10.15, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Persons of demonic or atheistic mentality cannot know Kṛṣṇa. Mental speculation that leads one away from the Supreme Lord is a serious sin, and one who does not know Kṛṣṇa should not try to comment on Bhagavad-gītā. Bhagavad-gītā is the statement of Kṛṣṇa, and since it is the science of Kṛṣṇa, it should be understood from Kṛṣṇa as Arjuna understood it.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG_Chapters_13_-_18" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="BG Chapters 13 - 18"><h3>BG Chapters 13 - 18</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="BG1855_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_13_-_18" book="BG" index="169" link="BG 18.55" link_text="BG 18.55"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 18.55 (1972)|BG 18.55, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">One who is fully conversant with the Kṛṣṇa science becomes eligible to enter into the spiritual kingdom, the abode of Kṛṣṇa. Becoming Brahman does not mean that one loses his identity. Devotional service is there, and as long as devotional service exists, there must be God, the devotee, and the process of devotional service. Such knowledge is never vanquished, even after liberation.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" class="section" sec_index="1" parent="compilation" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB_Preface_and_Introduction" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Preface and Introduction"><h3>SB Preface and Introduction</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SBIntroduction_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Preface_and_Introduction" book="SB" index="1" link="SB Introduction" link_text="SB Introduction"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB Introduction|SB Introduction]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the science of Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Personality of Godhead of whom we have preliminary information from the text of the Bhagavad-gītā. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said that anyone, regardless of what he is, who is well versed in the science of Kṛṣṇa (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā) can become an authorized preacher or preceptor in the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SBIntroduction_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Preface_and_Introduction" book="SB" index="1" link="SB Introduction" link_text="SB Introduction"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB Introduction|SB Introduction]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">There is a need for the science of Kṛṣṇa in human society for the good of all suffering humanity of the world, and we simply request the leaders of all nations to pick up this science of Kṛṣṇa for their own good, for the good of society and for the good of all the world's people.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB_Canto_1" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 1"><h3>SB Canto 1</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB1124_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_1" book="SB" index="439" link="SB 1.12.4" link_text="SB 1.12.4"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 1.12.4|SB 1.12.4, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The king represents all living beings, the aquatics, plants, trees, reptiles, birds, animals and man. Every one of them is a part and parcel of the Supreme Lord ([[Vanisource:BG 14.4 (1972)|BG 14.4]]), and the king, being the representative of the Supreme Lord, is duty-bound to give proper protection to every one of them. This is not the case with the presidents and dictators of this demoralized system of administration, where the lower animals are given no protection while the higher animals are given so-called protection. But this is a great science which can be learned only by one who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB1124_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_1" book="SB" index="439" link="SB 1.12.4" link_text="SB 1.12.4"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 1.12.4|SB 1.12.4, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">By knowing the science of Kṛṣṇa, one can become the most perfect man in the world, and unless one has knowledge in this science, all qualifications and doctorate diplomas acquired by academic education are spoiled and useless. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira knew this science of Kṛṣṇa very well, for it is stated here that by continuous cultivation of this science, or by continuous devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, he acquired the qualification of administering the state.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB11818_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_1" book="SB" index="709" link="SB 1.18.18" link_text="SB 1.18.18"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 1.18.18|SB 1.18.18, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu followed this principle in pursuance of the Vedic usages, and by His transcendental association He elevated many lowborn, or those disqualified by birth or action, to the status of devotional service and established them in the position of ācāryas, or authorities. He clearly stated that any man, whatever he may be, whether a brāhmaṇa or śūdra by birth, or a householder or mendicant in the order of society, if he is conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa, he can be accepted as an ācārya or guru, a spiritual master.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB11818_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_1" book="SB" index="709" link="SB 1.18.18" link_text="SB 1.18.18"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 1.18.18|SB 1.18.18, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Sūta Gosvāmī learned the science of Kṛṣṇa from great ṛṣis and authorities like Śukadeva and Vyāsadeva and he was so qualified that even the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya eagerly wanted to hear from him the science of Kṛṣṇa in the form of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. So he had the double association of great souls by hearing and preaching. Transcendental science, or the science of Kṛṣṇa, has to be learned from the authorities, and when one preaches the science, he becomes still more qualified.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB_Canto_2" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 2"><h3>SB Canto 2</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB2129_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="30" link="SB 2.1.29" link_text="SB 2.1.29"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.1.29|SB 2.1.29, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">In that way, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the postgraduate study for the student of the Bhagavad-gītā. Both of them are the science of Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Truth, and so they are interdependent.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB2319_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="91" link="SB 2.3.19" link_text="SB 2.3.19"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.3.19|SB 2.3.19, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The Bhāgavatam openly declares that although a person may be a great leader of such dogs and hogs disguised as men, if he has no taste for being enlightened in the science of Kṛṣṇa, such a leader is also an animal and nothing more. He may be designated as a powerful, strong animal, or a big animal, but in the estimation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam he is never given a place in the category of man, on account of his atheistic temperament.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB2418_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="114" link="SB 2.4.18" link_text="SB 2.4.18"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.4.18|SB 2.4.18, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">In the Bhagavad-gītā (9.32) it is said by the Lord that there is no bar to becoming a devotee of the Lord (even for those who are lowborn, or women, śūdras or vaiśyas), and by becoming a devotee everyone is eligible to return home, back to Godhead. The only qualification is that one take shelter of a pure devotee of the Lord who has thorough knowledge in the transcendental science of Kṛṣṇa (Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam).</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB2418_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="114" link="SB 2.4.18" link_text="SB 2.4.18"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.4.18|SB 2.4.18, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Anyone from any part of the world who becomes well conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa becomes a pure devotee and a spiritual master for the general mass of people and may reclaim them by purification of heart. Though a person be even the most sinful man, he can at once be purified by systematic contact with a pure Vaiṣṇava.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB2107_4" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="331" link="SB 2.10.7" link_text="SB 2.10.7"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.10.7|SB 2.10.7, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Thus by general conclusion Lord Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate source of all energies, and the word Kṛṣṇa means that. And to explain Kṛṣṇa or the science of Kṛṣṇa, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam has been prepared.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB_Canto_3" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 3"><h3>SB Canto 3</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB3425_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="132" link="SB 3.4.25" link_text="SB 3.4.25"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.4.25|SB 3.4.25, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Caitanya advises that one receive transcendental knowledge from anyone—whether a brāhmaṇa or a śūdra, a householder or a sannyāsī—provided that person is factually conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa. A person who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa is factually a bona fide spiritual master.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB3529_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="172" link="SB 3.5.29" link_text="SB 3.5.29"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.5.29|SB 3.5.29, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The last class of egoistic conditioned souls—those in the mode of ignorance—are misguided by identification of the gross body with the self. Thus, all their activities are centered around the body only. All these persons are given the chance to play with false egoistic ideas, but at the same time the Lord is kind enough to give them a chance to take help from scriptures like Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam so that they may understand the science of Kṛṣṇa and thus make their lives successful.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB3630_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="224" link="SB 3.6.30" link_text="SB 3.6.30"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.6.30|SB 3.6.30, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">A person may be a brāhmaṇa or a śūdra or a sannyāsī, but if he happens to be well versed in the science of Kṛṣṇa, then he is fit to become a spiritual master. ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128]]) The qualification, then, of a spiritual master is not to be a qualified brāhmaṇa, but to be well versed in the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB3630_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="224" link="SB 3.6.30" link_text="SB 3.6.30"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.6.30|SB 3.6.30, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">One who is conversant with Vedic wisdom is a brāhmaṇa. And only a brāhmaṇa who is a pure Vaiṣṇava and knows all the intricacies of the science of Kṛṣṇa can become a spiritual master.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB3715_4" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="249" link="SB 3.7.15" link_text="SB 3.7.15"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.7.15|SB 3.7.15, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The science of Kṛṣṇa, or the science of God and the living entities, is so subtle that even a personality like Vidura has to consult persons like the sage Maitreya. Doubts about the eternal relationship of the Lord and the living entity are created by mental speculators in different ways, but the conclusive fact is that the relationship of God and the living entity is one of the predominator and the predominated.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB31117_5" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="398" link="SB 3.11.17" link_text="SB 3.11.17"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.11.17|SB 3.11.17, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The devotees of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa can very easily understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, as well as the situation of the material and spiritual creations, without difficulty. Devotees do not have to endeavor for any yoga-siddhi, or perfection in mystic powers. They are competent to understand everything by the grace of the Lord, who is sitting in everyone's heart.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB3204_6" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="767" link="SB 3.20.4" link_text="SB 3.20.4"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.20.4|SB 3.20.4, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">One has to be freed from all contamination, and at the same time he has to find a person who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa helps a sincere person; as stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde: by the mercy of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa, one attains the path of salvation, devotional service.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB_Canto_4" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 4"><h3>SB Canto 4</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB4226_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="85" link="SB 4.2.26" link_text="SB 4.2.26"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.2.26|SB 4.2.26, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">During His conversation with Rāmānanda Rāya, He said that regardless of whether a person is born in a brāhmaṇa family or śūdra family, regardless of whether he is a householder or a sannyāsī, if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa he must be a spiritual master.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB4323_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="115" link="SB 4.3.23" link_text="SB 4.3.23"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.3.23|SB 4.3.23, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Impersonal kaivalya is not the last stage of realization, but in Kṛṣṇa consciousness kaivalya, when one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then one is successful. In that pure state, by hearing, chanting, remembering, etc., because of the development of knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa, one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All these activities are under the guidance of the internal energy of the Supreme Lord.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB_Canto_7" class="sub_section" sec_index="7" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 7"><h3>SB Canto 7</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB743132_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="162" link="SB 7.4.31-32" link_text="SB 7.4.31-32"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.4.31-32|SB 7.4.31-32, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The word guru refers to the spiritual master who initiates his disciple into advancement in the science of Kṛṣṇa, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as stated by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura (śrī-bhagavan-mantropadeśake gurāv ity arthaḥ).</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB7104344_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="455" link="SB 7.10.43-44" link_text="SB 7.10.43-44"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.10.43-44|SB 7.10.43-44, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is filled with descriptions of the characteristics of various devotees, with reference to the service of the Lord. This Vedic literature is called Bhāgavatam because it deals with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotee. By studying Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam under the direction of the bona fide spiritual master, one can perfectly understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, the nature of the material and spiritual worlds, and the aim of life.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB71346_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="580" link="SB 7.13.46" link_text="SB 7.13.46"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.13.46|SB 7.13.46, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">A guru, or spiritual master, can be anyone who is well conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore although Prahlāda Mahārāja was a gṛhastha ruling over the demons, he was a paramahaṁsa, the best of human beings, and thus he is our guru.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB_Canto_8" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 8"><h3>SB Canto 8</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="SB8192_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_8" book="SB" index="645" link="SB 8.19.2" link_text="SB 8.19.2"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 8.19.2|SB 8.19.2, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">"Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra-regardless of what he is-he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa." ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128]]) Anyone completely aware of the science of Kṛṣṇa, regardless of his status in life, is a guru. Thus Prahlāda Mahārāja is a guru in all circumstances.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" class="section" sec_index="2" parent="compilation" text="Sri Caitanya-caritamrta"><h2>Sri Caitanya-caritamrta</h2> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CC_Adi-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Adi-lila"><h3>CC Adi-lila</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCAdi29192_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="196" link="CC Adi 2.91-92" link_text="CC Adi 2.91-92"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 2.91-92|CC Adi 2.91-92, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Āśraya: the Transcendence, the summum bonum, from whom everything emanates, upon whom everything rests, and in whom everything merges after annihilation. He is the source and support of all. The āśraya is also called the Supreme Brahman, as in the Vedānta-sūtra (athāto brahma jijñāsā, janmādy asya yataḥ ([[Vanisource:SB 1.1.1|SB 1.1.1]])). Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam especially describes this Supreme Brahman as the āśraya. Śrī Kṛṣṇa is this āśraya, and therefore the greatest necessity of life is to study the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCAdi772_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1018" link="CC Adi 7.72" link_text="CC Adi 7.72"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 7.72|CC Adi 7.72, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">A spiritual master knows very well how to engage each disciple in a particular duty, but if a disciple, thinking himself more advanced than his spiritual master, gives up his orders and acts independently, he checks his own spiritual progress. Every disciple must consider himself completely unaware of the science of Kṛṣṇa and must always be ready to carry out the orders of the spiritual master to become competent in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCAdi791_2" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1036" link="CC Adi 7.91" link_text="CC Adi 7.91"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 7.91|CC Adi 7.91, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">It is very difficult, however, to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, what to speak of developing love of Godhead. Therefore if by the grace of Lord Caitanya and the spiritual master a disciple attains the standard of pure devotional service, the spiritual master is very happy.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCAdi836_3" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1151" link="CC Adi 8.36" link_text="CC Adi 8.36"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 8.36|CC Adi 8.36, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">"Devotional service to the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures—the Upaniṣads, Purāṇas, Nārada-pañcarātra, etc.—is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society." Due to misunderstanding Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, people are misled regarding the science of Kṛṣṇa. However, by reading Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura's book one can very easily understand this science.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCAdi1077_4" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1332" link="CC Adi 10.77" link_text="CC Adi 10.77"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 10.77|CC Adi 10.77, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">At that time Devānanda had little faith in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as an incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa, but one night some time later Vakreśvara Paṇḍita was a guest in his house, and when he explained the science of Kṛṣṇa, Devānanda was convinced about the identity of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCAdi10134_5" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="1386" link="CC Adi 10.134" link_text="CC Adi 10.134"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 10.134|CC Adi 10.134, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya was one of the three and a half personalities with whom Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu discussed the most confidential topics of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised Pradyumna Miśra to learn the science of Kṛṣṇa from Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CC_Madhya-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Madhya-lila"><h3>CC Madhya-lila</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCMadhya4111_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="708" link="CC Madhya 4.111" link_text="CC Madhya 4.111"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 4.111|CC Madhya 4.111, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">"A person may be a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī, a śūdra or whatever, but if he is well conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa, he can become a guru." ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128]]) This statement is supported by Śrī Mādhavendra Purī.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCMadhya597_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="907" link="CC Madhya 5.97" link_text="CC Madhya 5.97"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 5.97|CC Madhya 5.97, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Kṛṣṇa was talking to the young brāhmaṇa just to test his knowledge about the arcā-vigraha. In other words, those who have understood the science of Kṛṣṇa—Kṛṣṇa's name, form, qualities and so forth—can also talk with the Deity. To an ordinary person, however, the Deity will appear to be made of stone, wood or some other material.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCMadhya763_2" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1316" link="CC Madhya 7.63" link_text="CC Madhya 7.63"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 7.63|CC Madhya 7.63, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Before becoming Caitanya Mahāprabhu's disciple, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya considered Rāmānanda Rāya an ordinary viṣayī because he was a householder engaged in government service. However, when the Bhaṭṭācārya was actually enlightened in Vaiṣṇava philosophy, he could understand the exalted transcendental position of Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya; therefore he referred to him as adhikārī. An adhikārī is one who knows the transcendental science of Kṛṣṇa and is engaged in His service; therefore all gṛhastha devotees are designated as dāsa adhikārī.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCMadhya8127_3" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1533" link="CC Madhya 8.127" link_text="CC Madhya 8.127"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.127|CC Madhya 8.127, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">If one approaches a transcendental devotee on the strength of one's material heritage, opulence, education and beauty and does not offer respect to the advanced devotee of the Lord, the Vaiṣṇava devotee may offer formal respects to such a materially puffed-up person, but he may not deliver transcendental knowledge to him. Indeed, the devotee sees him as a non-brāhmaṇa or śūdra. Such a puffed-up person cannot understand the science of Kṛṣṇa. A proud person is deceived in transcendental life and, despite having attained a human form, will again glide into hellish conditions.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCMadhya8128_4" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1534" link="CC Madhya 8.128" link_text="CC Madhya 8.128"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">"Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra—regardless of what he is—he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa."</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCMadhya8128_5" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1534" link="CC Madhya 8.128" link_text="CC Madhya 8.128"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">If one understands the truth of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and seriously desires to attain transcendental knowledge for the perfection of life, he can accept a spiritual master from any social status, provided the spiritual master is fully conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCMadhya8128_6" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1534" link="CC Madhya 8.128" link_text="CC Madhya 8.128"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura also states that although one is situated as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacārī, vānaprastha, gṛhastha or sannyāsī, if he is conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa he can become a spiritual master as vartma-pradarśaka-guru, dīkṣā-guru or śikṣā-guru. The spiritual master who first gives information about spiritual life is called the vartma-pradarśaka-guru, the spiritual master who initiates according to the regulations of the śāstras is called the dīkṣā-guru, and the spiritual master who gives instructions for elevation is called the śikṣā-guru.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCMadhya8128_7" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1534" link="CC Madhya 8.128" link_text="CC Madhya 8.128"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Factually the qualifications of a spiritual master depend on his knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa. It does not matter whether he is a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, sannyāsī or śūdra. This injunction given by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is not at all against the injunctions of the śāstras.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CC_Antya-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Antya-lila"><h3>CC Antya-lila</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCAntya584_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="978" link="CC Antya 5.84" link_text="CC Antya 5.84"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 5.84|CC Antya 5.84, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">According to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy, yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei "guru" haya: ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 8.128|CC Madhya 8.128]]) anyone who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa can become a spiritual master, without reference to whether or not he is a brāhmaṇa or sannyāsī. Ordinary people cannot understand the essence of śāstra, nor can they understand the pure character, behavior and abilities of strict followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's principles. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is creating pure, exalted Vaiṣṇavas even from those born in families considered lower than those of śūdras.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="CCAntya585_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="979" link="CC Antya 5.85" link_text="CC Antya 5.85"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 5.85|CC Antya 5.85, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Even people who never see what a jagad-guru is and never talk with other people become puffed-up sannyāsīs and declare themselves jagad-gurus. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not like this. Any person who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa and who is fully qualified in spiritual life can become jagad-guru. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally took lessons from Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya and also sent Pradyumna Miśra, an exalted brāhmaṇa, to take lessons from him.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" class="section" sec_index="3" parent="compilation" text="Other Books by Srila Prabhupada"><h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya"><h3>Teachings of Lord Caitanya</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLCMission_0" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="5" link="TLC Mission" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Mission"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC Lord Caitanya's Mission|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter Mission]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the Science of Kṛṣṇa, a task which those who follow Him have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are in fact most voluminous, exacting and consistent due to the system of disciplic succession.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLC1_1" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="7" link="TLC 1" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 1"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 1|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Because the Lord felt inconvenienced in crowded places, He asked Rūpa Gosvāmī to accompany Him to a place on the banks of the Ganges known as Daśāśvamedha-ghāṭa. For ten days He instructed Rūpa Gosvāmī about the truth of Kṛṣṇa, the principles of devotional service and the transcendental relationships with Kṛṣṇa. All of this was described in full detail so that in the future Rūpa Gosvāmī could distribute this science of Kṛṣṇa in his book Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLC30_2" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="36" link="TLC 30" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 30"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 30|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 30]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Thus Lord Caitanya clearly showed that a sincere student never cares whether his spiritual master is born in a high brāhmaṇa family or kṣatriya family, or whether he is a sannyāsī, brahmacārī or whatever. Whoever can teach one about the science of Kṛṣṇa is to be accepted as guru.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLC31_3" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="37" link="TLC 31" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 31|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Whatever position one may have, if he is fully conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he can become a bona fide spiritual master, initiator or teacher of the science. In other words, one can become a bona fide spiritual master if he has sufficient knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The position does not depend on a particular position in society or on birth.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLC31_4" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="37" link="TLC 31" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 31|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">All śāstric injunctions, as well as the versions of great sages and authorities, establish that a bona fide spiritual master is not necessarily a brāhmaṇa. The only qualification is that he be conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That alone makes one perfectly eligible to become a spiritual master. This is the conclusion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His discussions with Rāmānanda Rāya.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLC31_5" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="37" link="TLC 31" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 31|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">A serious person would accept Caitanya Mahāprabhu's instruction that anyone—regardless of his position—conversant with Kṛṣṇa science must be accepted as the spiritual master. There are many injunctions in the Padma Purāṇa which state that a highly elevated spiritually advanced devotee of the Lord is always a first-class devotee and is therefore a spiritual master, but a highly elevated person born in a brāhmaṇa family cannot be a spiritual master unless he is a devotee of the Lord.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLC31_6" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="37" link="TLC 31" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 31|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">A person born in a brāhmaṇa family may be conversant with all of the rituals of the Vedic scriptures but if he is not a pure devotee, he cannot be a spiritual master. In all śāstras the chief qualification of a bona fide spiritual master is that he be conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLC31_7" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="37" link="TLC 31" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 31|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 31]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">"What is the highest standard of education?" Lord Caitanya began His inquiry, and Rāmānanda Rāya immediately replied that the highest standard of education is knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa. The standard of material education is sense gratification, but the highest standard of spiritual education is knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="TLC32_8" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="38" link="TLC 32" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 32"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 32|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 32]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">After discussing Kṛṣṇa for some time, Rāmānanda Rāya fell at the feet of the Lord and said, "My dear Lord, You are so kind to me that You have told me about the science of Kṛṣṇa and Rādhārāṇī and Their loving affairs, the affairs of the rāsa dance and Their pastimes. I never thought that I should be able to speak on this subject matter. You have taught me as You formerly taught the Vedas to Brahmā."</p> | |||
</div> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="Nectar_of_Devotion" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Nectar of Devotion"><h3>Nectar of Devotion</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="NODPreface_0" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="2" link="NOD Preface" link_text="Nectar of Devotion Preface"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD Preface|Nectar of Devotion Preface]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Caitanya's principle is universal. Anyone who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa and is engaged in the service of the Lord is accepted as being in a higher position than a person born in the family of a brāhmaṇa. That is the original principle accepted by all Vedic literatures, especially by Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.</p> | |||
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<div id="Nectar_of_Instruction" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Nectar of Instruction"><h3>Nectar of Instruction</h3> | |||
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<div id="NOIPreface_0" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Instruction" book="OB" index="1" link="NOI Preface" link_text="Nectar of Instruction Preface"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOI Preface|Nectar of Instruction Preface]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">"When I am eager to understand the literature given by the Gosvāmīs, then I shall be able to understand the transcendental loving affairs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa." Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in order to bestow upon human society the benediction of the science of Kṛṣṇa.</p> | |||
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<div id="Krsna_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead"><h3>Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead</h3> | |||
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<div id="KB87_0" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="91" link="KB 87" link_text="Krsna Book 87"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 87|Krsna Book 87]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">If a pious man is in distress, he approaches the Lord for mitigation of his distress. If a pious man is in need of material help, he prays to the Lord for such help. If a pious man is actually inquisitive about the science of God, he approaches the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, a pious man who is simply eager to know the science of Kṛṣṇa also approaches the Supreme Lord. Out of these four classes of men, the last is praised by Kṛṣṇa Himself in the Bhagavad-gītā.</p> | |||
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<div id="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" class="sub_section" sec_index="5" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Renunciation Through Wisdom"><h3>Renunciation Through Wisdom</h3> | |||
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<div id="RTW21_0" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="13" link="RTW 2.1" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.1"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 2.1|Renunciation Through Wisdom 2.1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">If one strictly follows the scriptural directions for cultivating karma and jñāna, one purifies his consciousness enough to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa to a certain degree. The final conclusion of jñāna is that once one attains the state of oneness with the Absolute, then the doors of an even higher state, that of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, open up.</p> | |||
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<div id="Sri_Isopanisad" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Sri Isopanisad"><h3>Sri Isopanisad</h3> | |||
</div> | |||
<div id="ISO13_0" class="quote" parent="Sri_Isopanisad" book="OB" index="15" link="ISO 13" link_text="Sri Isopanisad 13"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:ISO 13|Sri Isopanisad 13, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Arjuna worshiped the Lord by fighting with his so-called relatives, and in this way he became a pure devotee of the Lord. Such accomplishments are possible only when one worships the real Kṛṣṇa and not some fabricated "Kṛṣṇa" invented by foolish men who are without knowledge of the intricacies of the science of Kṛṣṇa described in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.</p> | |||
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</div> | |||
<div id="ISO15_1" class="quote" parent="Sri_Isopanisad" book="OB" index="17" link="ISO 15" link_text="Sri Isopanisad 15"> | |||
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:ISO 15|Sri Isopanisad 15, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Perfect knowledge means knowing Kṛṣṇa as the root of this Brahman effulgence. This knowledge can be gained from such scriptures as Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which perfectly elaborates the science of Kṛṣṇa. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the author, Śrīla Vyāsadeva, has established that one will describe the Supreme Truth as Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān according to one's realization of Him.</p> | |||
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Latest revision as of 16:44, 19 May 2018
Bhagavad-gita As It Is
BG Chapters 1 - 6
"It does not matter whether a person is a vipra (learned scholar in Vedic wisdom) or is born in a lower family, or is in the renounced order of life-if he is master in the science of Kṛṣṇa, he is the perfect and bona fide spiritual master."
In many parts of the world there are states which are replete with all facilities of life, which are full of wealth and economically developed, yet the problems of material existence are still present. They are seeking peace in different ways, but they can achieve real happiness only if they consult Kṛṣṇa, or the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam—which constitute the science of Kṛṣṇa—through the bona fide representative of Kṛṣṇa, the man in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
It is necessary that everyone, for his own interest, know the science of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, when Kṛṣṇa Himself speaks about Himself, it is auspicious for all the worlds.
BG Chapters 7 - 12
Therefore only by hearing from Kṛṣṇa or from His devotee in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can one understand the science of Kṛṣṇa.
The devotees are constantly engaged in the Supreme Lord's service. The Lord understands the mentality and sincerity of a particular living entity who is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and gives him the intelligence to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa in the association of devotees.
By the practice of these nine elements of devotional service one is elevated to spiritual consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. When one's heart is thus cleared of material contamination, one can understand this science of Kṛṣṇa. Simply to understand that a living entity is not material is not sufficient.
In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam it is also confirmed that when one becomes purified by executing the process of devotional service, especially by hearing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam or Bhagavad-gītā from realized souls, then he can understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, or the science of God.
There are many controversies between the impersonalists and the personalists about the Lord's appearance as a human being. But if we consult Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the authoritative texts for understanding the science of Kṛṣṇa, then we can understand that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
This means that there is no difference in Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, between Himself and His body. But because the commentators do not know this science of Kṛṣṇa, they hide Kṛṣṇa and divide His personality from His mind or from His body. Although this is sheer ignorance of the science of Kṛṣṇa, some men make profit out of misleading people.
Persons of demonic or atheistic mentality cannot know Kṛṣṇa. Mental speculation that leads one away from the Supreme Lord is a serious sin, and one who does not know Kṛṣṇa should not try to comment on Bhagavad-gītā. Bhagavad-gītā is the statement of Kṛṣṇa, and since it is the science of Kṛṣṇa, it should be understood from Kṛṣṇa as Arjuna understood it.
BG Chapters 13 - 18
One who is fully conversant with the Kṛṣṇa science becomes eligible to enter into the spiritual kingdom, the abode of Kṛṣṇa. Becoming Brahman does not mean that one loses his identity. Devotional service is there, and as long as devotional service exists, there must be God, the devotee, and the process of devotional service. Such knowledge is never vanquished, even after liberation.
Srimad-Bhagavatam
SB Preface and Introduction
There is a need for the science of Kṛṣṇa in human society for the good of all suffering humanity of the world, and we simply request the leaders of all nations to pick up this science of Kṛṣṇa for their own good, for the good of society and for the good of all the world's people.
SB Canto 1
The king represents all living beings, the aquatics, plants, trees, reptiles, birds, animals and man. Every one of them is a part and parcel of the Supreme Lord (BG 14.4), and the king, being the representative of the Supreme Lord, is duty-bound to give proper protection to every one of them. This is not the case with the presidents and dictators of this demoralized system of administration, where the lower animals are given no protection while the higher animals are given so-called protection. But this is a great science which can be learned only by one who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa.
By knowing the science of Kṛṣṇa, one can become the most perfect man in the world, and unless one has knowledge in this science, all qualifications and doctorate diplomas acquired by academic education are spoiled and useless. Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira knew this science of Kṛṣṇa very well, for it is stated here that by continuous cultivation of this science, or by continuous devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, he acquired the qualification of administering the state.
Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu followed this principle in pursuance of the Vedic usages, and by His transcendental association He elevated many lowborn, or those disqualified by birth or action, to the status of devotional service and established them in the position of ācāryas, or authorities. He clearly stated that any man, whatever he may be, whether a brāhmaṇa or śūdra by birth, or a householder or mendicant in the order of society, if he is conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa, he can be accepted as an ācārya or guru, a spiritual master.
Sūta Gosvāmī learned the science of Kṛṣṇa from great ṛṣis and authorities like Śukadeva and Vyāsadeva and he was so qualified that even the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya eagerly wanted to hear from him the science of Kṛṣṇa in the form of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. So he had the double association of great souls by hearing and preaching. Transcendental science, or the science of Kṛṣṇa, has to be learned from the authorities, and when one preaches the science, he becomes still more qualified.
SB Canto 2
In that way, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is the postgraduate study for the student of the Bhagavad-gītā. Both of them are the science of Kṛṣṇa, the Absolute Truth, and so they are interdependent.
The Bhāgavatam openly declares that although a person may be a great leader of such dogs and hogs disguised as men, if he has no taste for being enlightened in the science of Kṛṣṇa, such a leader is also an animal and nothing more. He may be designated as a powerful, strong animal, or a big animal, but in the estimation of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam he is never given a place in the category of man, on account of his atheistic temperament.
In the Bhagavad-gītā (9.32) it is said by the Lord that there is no bar to becoming a devotee of the Lord (even for those who are lowborn, or women, śūdras or vaiśyas), and by becoming a devotee everyone is eligible to return home, back to Godhead. The only qualification is that one take shelter of a pure devotee of the Lord who has thorough knowledge in the transcendental science of Kṛṣṇa (Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam).
Anyone from any part of the world who becomes well conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa becomes a pure devotee and a spiritual master for the general mass of people and may reclaim them by purification of heart. Though a person be even the most sinful man, he can at once be purified by systematic contact with a pure Vaiṣṇava.
Thus by general conclusion Lord Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate source of all energies, and the word Kṛṣṇa means that. And to explain Kṛṣṇa or the science of Kṛṣṇa, the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam has been prepared.
SB Canto 3
Lord Caitanya advises that one receive transcendental knowledge from anyone—whether a brāhmaṇa or a śūdra, a householder or a sannyāsī—provided that person is factually conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa. A person who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa is factually a bona fide spiritual master.
The last class of egoistic conditioned souls—those in the mode of ignorance—are misguided by identification of the gross body with the self. Thus, all their activities are centered around the body only. All these persons are given the chance to play with false egoistic ideas, but at the same time the Lord is kind enough to give them a chance to take help from scriptures like Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam so that they may understand the science of Kṛṣṇa and thus make their lives successful.
A person may be a brāhmaṇa or a śūdra or a sannyāsī, but if he happens to be well versed in the science of Kṛṣṇa, then he is fit to become a spiritual master. (CC Madhya 8.128) The qualification, then, of a spiritual master is not to be a qualified brāhmaṇa, but to be well versed in the science of Kṛṣṇa.
One who is conversant with Vedic wisdom is a brāhmaṇa. And only a brāhmaṇa who is a pure Vaiṣṇava and knows all the intricacies of the science of Kṛṣṇa can become a spiritual master.
The science of Kṛṣṇa, or the science of God and the living entities, is so subtle that even a personality like Vidura has to consult persons like the sage Maitreya. Doubts about the eternal relationship of the Lord and the living entity are created by mental speculators in different ways, but the conclusive fact is that the relationship of God and the living entity is one of the predominator and the predominated.
The devotees of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa can very easily understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, as well as the situation of the material and spiritual creations, without difficulty. Devotees do not have to endeavor for any yoga-siddhi, or perfection in mystic powers. They are competent to understand everything by the grace of the Lord, who is sitting in everyone's heart.
One has to be freed from all contamination, and at the same time he has to find a person who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa helps a sincere person; as stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde: by the mercy of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa, one attains the path of salvation, devotional service.
SB Canto 4
During His conversation with Rāmānanda Rāya, He said that regardless of whether a person is born in a brāhmaṇa family or śūdra family, regardless of whether he is a householder or a sannyāsī, if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa he must be a spiritual master.
Impersonal kaivalya is not the last stage of realization, but in Kṛṣṇa consciousness kaivalya, when one understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then one is successful. In that pure state, by hearing, chanting, remembering, etc., because of the development of knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa, one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All these activities are under the guidance of the internal energy of the Supreme Lord.
SB Canto 7
The word guru refers to the spiritual master who initiates his disciple into advancement in the science of Kṛṣṇa, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as stated by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura (śrī-bhagavan-mantropadeśake gurāv ity arthaḥ).
Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is filled with descriptions of the characteristics of various devotees, with reference to the service of the Lord. This Vedic literature is called Bhāgavatam because it deals with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotee. By studying Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam under the direction of the bona fide spiritual master, one can perfectly understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, the nature of the material and spiritual worlds, and the aim of life.
A guru, or spiritual master, can be anyone who is well conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore although Prahlāda Mahārāja was a gṛhastha ruling over the demons, he was a paramahaṁsa, the best of human beings, and thus he is our guru.
SB Canto 8
"Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra-regardless of what he is-he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa." (CC Madhya 8.128) Anyone completely aware of the science of Kṛṣṇa, regardless of his status in life, is a guru. Thus Prahlāda Mahārāja is a guru in all circumstances.
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta
CC Adi-lila
Āśraya: the Transcendence, the summum bonum, from whom everything emanates, upon whom everything rests, and in whom everything merges after annihilation. He is the source and support of all. The āśraya is also called the Supreme Brahman, as in the Vedānta-sūtra (athāto brahma jijñāsā, janmādy asya yataḥ (SB 1.1.1)). Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam especially describes this Supreme Brahman as the āśraya. Śrī Kṛṣṇa is this āśraya, and therefore the greatest necessity of life is to study the science of Kṛṣṇa.
A spiritual master knows very well how to engage each disciple in a particular duty, but if a disciple, thinking himself more advanced than his spiritual master, gives up his orders and acts independently, he checks his own spiritual progress. Every disciple must consider himself completely unaware of the science of Kṛṣṇa and must always be ready to carry out the orders of the spiritual master to become competent in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
It is very difficult, however, to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, what to speak of developing love of Godhead. Therefore if by the grace of Lord Caitanya and the spiritual master a disciple attains the standard of pure devotional service, the spiritual master is very happy.
"Devotional service to the Lord that ignores the authorized Vedic literatures—the Upaniṣads, Purāṇas, Nārada-pañcarātra, etc.—is simply an unnecessary disturbance in society." Due to misunderstanding Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, people are misled regarding the science of Kṛṣṇa. However, by reading Śrīla Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura's book one can very easily understand this science.
At that time Devānanda had little faith in Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as an incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa, but one night some time later Vakreśvara Paṇḍita was a guest in his house, and when he explained the science of Kṛṣṇa, Devānanda was convinced about the identity of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya was one of the three and a half personalities with whom Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu discussed the most confidential topics of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu advised Pradyumna Miśra to learn the science of Kṛṣṇa from Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya.
CC Madhya-lila
"A person may be a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī, a śūdra or whatever, but if he is well conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa, he can become a guru." (CC Madhya 8.128) This statement is supported by Śrī Mādhavendra Purī.
Lord Kṛṣṇa was talking to the young brāhmaṇa just to test his knowledge about the arcā-vigraha. In other words, those who have understood the science of Kṛṣṇa—Kṛṣṇa's name, form, qualities and so forth—can also talk with the Deity. To an ordinary person, however, the Deity will appear to be made of stone, wood or some other material.
Before becoming Caitanya Mahāprabhu's disciple, Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya considered Rāmānanda Rāya an ordinary viṣayī because he was a householder engaged in government service. However, when the Bhaṭṭācārya was actually enlightened in Vaiṣṇava philosophy, he could understand the exalted transcendental position of Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya; therefore he referred to him as adhikārī. An adhikārī is one who knows the transcendental science of Kṛṣṇa and is engaged in His service; therefore all gṛhastha devotees are designated as dāsa adhikārī.
If one approaches a transcendental devotee on the strength of one's material heritage, opulence, education and beauty and does not offer respect to the advanced devotee of the Lord, the Vaiṣṇava devotee may offer formal respects to such a materially puffed-up person, but he may not deliver transcendental knowledge to him. Indeed, the devotee sees him as a non-brāhmaṇa or śūdra. Such a puffed-up person cannot understand the science of Kṛṣṇa. A proud person is deceived in transcendental life and, despite having attained a human form, will again glide into hellish conditions.
"Whether one is a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī or a śūdra—regardless of what he is—he can become a spiritual master if he knows the science of Kṛṣṇa."
If one understands the truth of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and seriously desires to attain transcendental knowledge for the perfection of life, he can accept a spiritual master from any social status, provided the spiritual master is fully conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura also states that although one is situated as a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacārī, vānaprastha, gṛhastha or sannyāsī, if he is conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa he can become a spiritual master as vartma-pradarśaka-guru, dīkṣā-guru or śikṣā-guru. The spiritual master who first gives information about spiritual life is called the vartma-pradarśaka-guru, the spiritual master who initiates according to the regulations of the śāstras is called the dīkṣā-guru, and the spiritual master who gives instructions for elevation is called the śikṣā-guru.
Factually the qualifications of a spiritual master depend on his knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa. It does not matter whether he is a brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, sannyāsī or śūdra. This injunction given by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is not at all against the injunctions of the śāstras.
CC Antya-lila
According to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy, yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei "guru" haya: (CC Madhya 8.128) anyone who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa can become a spiritual master, without reference to whether or not he is a brāhmaṇa or sannyāsī. Ordinary people cannot understand the essence of śāstra, nor can they understand the pure character, behavior and abilities of strict followers of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's principles. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is creating pure, exalted Vaiṣṇavas even from those born in families considered lower than those of śūdras.
Even people who never see what a jagad-guru is and never talk with other people become puffed-up sannyāsīs and declare themselves jagad-gurus. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu did not like this. Any person who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa and who is fully qualified in spiritual life can become jagad-guru. Thus Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu personally took lessons from Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya and also sent Pradyumna Miśra, an exalted brāhmaṇa, to take lessons from him.
Other Books by Srila Prabhupada
Teachings of Lord Caitanya
Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the Science of Kṛṣṇa, a task which those who follow Him have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaborations and expositions on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are in fact most voluminous, exacting and consistent due to the system of disciplic succession.
Because the Lord felt inconvenienced in crowded places, He asked Rūpa Gosvāmī to accompany Him to a place on the banks of the Ganges known as Daśāśvamedha-ghāṭa. For ten days He instructed Rūpa Gosvāmī about the truth of Kṛṣṇa, the principles of devotional service and the transcendental relationships with Kṛṣṇa. All of this was described in full detail so that in the future Rūpa Gosvāmī could distribute this science of Kṛṣṇa in his book Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu.
Thus Lord Caitanya clearly showed that a sincere student never cares whether his spiritual master is born in a high brāhmaṇa family or kṣatriya family, or whether he is a sannyāsī, brahmacārī or whatever. Whoever can teach one about the science of Kṛṣṇa is to be accepted as guru.
Whatever position one may have, if he is fully conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he can become a bona fide spiritual master, initiator or teacher of the science. In other words, one can become a bona fide spiritual master if he has sufficient knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The position does not depend on a particular position in society or on birth.
All śāstric injunctions, as well as the versions of great sages and authorities, establish that a bona fide spiritual master is not necessarily a brāhmaṇa. The only qualification is that he be conversant with the science of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That alone makes one perfectly eligible to become a spiritual master. This is the conclusion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu in His discussions with Rāmānanda Rāya.
A serious person would accept Caitanya Mahāprabhu's instruction that anyone—regardless of his position—conversant with Kṛṣṇa science must be accepted as the spiritual master. There are many injunctions in the Padma Purāṇa which state that a highly elevated spiritually advanced devotee of the Lord is always a first-class devotee and is therefore a spiritual master, but a highly elevated person born in a brāhmaṇa family cannot be a spiritual master unless he is a devotee of the Lord.
A person born in a brāhmaṇa family may be conversant with all of the rituals of the Vedic scriptures but if he is not a pure devotee, he cannot be a spiritual master. In all śāstras the chief qualification of a bona fide spiritual master is that he be conversant in the science of Kṛṣṇa.
"What is the highest standard of education?" Lord Caitanya began His inquiry, and Rāmānanda Rāya immediately replied that the highest standard of education is knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa. The standard of material education is sense gratification, but the highest standard of spiritual education is knowledge of the science of Kṛṣṇa.
After discussing Kṛṣṇa for some time, Rāmānanda Rāya fell at the feet of the Lord and said, "My dear Lord, You are so kind to me that You have told me about the science of Kṛṣṇa and Rādhārāṇī and Their loving affairs, the affairs of the rāsa dance and Their pastimes. I never thought that I should be able to speak on this subject matter. You have taught me as You formerly taught the Vedas to Brahmā."
Nectar of Devotion
Lord Caitanya's principle is universal. Anyone who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa and is engaged in the service of the Lord is accepted as being in a higher position than a person born in the family of a brāhmaṇa. That is the original principle accepted by all Vedic literatures, especially by Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Nectar of Instruction
"When I am eager to understand the literature given by the Gosvāmīs, then I shall be able to understand the transcendental loving affairs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa." Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared in order to bestow upon human society the benediction of the science of Kṛṣṇa.
Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead
If a pious man is in distress, he approaches the Lord for mitigation of his distress. If a pious man is in need of material help, he prays to the Lord for such help. If a pious man is actually inquisitive about the science of God, he approaches the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Similarly, a pious man who is simply eager to know the science of Kṛṣṇa also approaches the Supreme Lord. Out of these four classes of men, the last is praised by Kṛṣṇa Himself in the Bhagavad-gītā.
Renunciation Through Wisdom
If one strictly follows the scriptural directions for cultivating karma and jñāna, one purifies his consciousness enough to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa to a certain degree. The final conclusion of jñāna is that once one attains the state of oneness with the Absolute, then the doors of an even higher state, that of devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, open up.
Sri Isopanisad
Arjuna worshiped the Lord by fighting with his so-called relatives, and in this way he became a pure devotee of the Lord. Such accomplishments are possible only when one worships the real Kṛṣṇa and not some fabricated "Kṛṣṇa" invented by foolish men who are without knowledge of the intricacies of the science of Kṛṣṇa described in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Perfect knowledge means knowing Kṛṣṇa as the root of this Brahman effulgence. This knowledge can be gained from such scriptures as Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which perfectly elaborates the science of Kṛṣṇa. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, the author, Śrīla Vyāsadeva, has established that one will describe the Supreme Truth as Brahman, Paramātmā or Bhagavān according to one's realization of Him.