Transcendental Knowledge

Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar MaharajHis Divine Grace Srila B.R.Sridhar Dev Goswami Maharaja

Sometimes we may be misguided to believe that we must not study the devotional books, thinking: “To analyze, to know, that is not part of devotion. That is not necessary; it is knowledge, jnana, and that is anti-devotion.” Thinking in this way we will go on taking the Holy Name, and wherever there is some explanation being given about the devotional school, we will try to avoid it. But that is not always best, because by hearing from the proper source we get the kind of knowledge that gives us impetus to go on in our sadhana.

In Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita Srila Krishnadås Kaviraja Goswami says: siddhanta baliya, we should discuss the siddhanta (perfect conclusions of devotion). Sanatana Goswami is the acharya of siddhanta.

One may say, “What is the necessity of knowing siddhanta, what is what? I shall go on chanting the Name and wherever there is any class being given to explain Srimad Bhagavatam or Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita I shall avoid it. That is all knowledge: jnane prayasam udapasya. “One should totally abandon the unnecessary endeavor of gaining knowledge by discussing empirical philosophical truths.” (Srimad-Bhågavatam 10.14.3)

 

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