Material education

Expressions researched:
"material education"

Srimad-Bhagavatam

SB Canto 3

The foolish conditioned soul may think that he is offering charity by opening hospitals for material benefit or by opening an educational institution for material education.

SB 3.27.3, Purport: Here the word karma-doṣaiḥ means "by faulty actions." This refers to any activity, good or bad, performed in this material world—they are all contaminated, faulty actions because of material association. The foolish conditioned soul may think that he is offering charity by opening hospitals for material benefit or by opening an educational institution for material education, but he does not know that all such work is also faulty because it will not give him relief from the process of transmigration from one body to another.

SB Canto 4

Conquering the world by means of material education is not desirable. If one engages himself in devotional service, his education is perfected.

SB 4.29.30, Purport: "Conquering the world by means of material education is not desirable. If one engages himself in devotional service, his education is perfected." (Caitanya Bhagavata, Ādi 13.173)

Those who are puffed up with material education, wealth, aristocracy and fruitive activity are very proud of possessing material things, and they often deride the devotees.

SB 4.31.21, Translation: The Supreme Personality of Godhead becomes very dear to those devotees who have no material possessions but are fully happy in possessing the devotional service of the Lord. Indeed, the Lord relishes the devotional activities of such devotees. Those who are puffed up with material education, wealth, aristocracy and fruitive activity are very proud of possessing material things, and they often deride the devotees. Even if such people offer the Lord worship, the Lord never accepts them.

SB Canto 7

Material education is infected by the three modes of nature.

SB 7.6 Summary: Material education is infected by the three modes of nature, but spiritual education, for which there is a great need in human society, is transcendental. Prahlāda Mahārāja disclosed the secret of how he had received instructions from Nārada Muni. By accepting the lotus feet of Prahlāda Mahārāja, who is in the paramparā succession, one will be able to understand the mode of spiritual life. In accepting this mode of activity, there is no need for material qualifications.