View source for We cannot understand Krsna superficially

{{terms|"understand Krsna superficially, that is not sufficient"|"understand what is Krsna, not superficially"|"superficially, if we understand Krsna"|"in truth, not superficially, if you understand Krsna"}}

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{{compiler|Visnu Murti}}

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[[Category:Cannot]]

[[Category:Understand]]

[[Category:Krsna]]

[[Category:Superficially]]

== Lectures ==

=== Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures ===

<span class="q_heading">'''To understand Kṛṣṇa superficially, that is not sufficient. That is also good, but you must have tattvataḥ, what is Kṛṣṇa actually. That knowledge can be achieved—bhaktyā, by this kṛṣṇa-yoga. '''</span>

<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Calcutta, January 27, 1973|Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Calcutta, January 27, 1973]]:''' If you want to know Kṛṣṇa or God by the speculative process, not only for one year, two years... Panthās tu koṭi-śata-vatsara-sampragamyo vāyor athāpi. Not mental speculation, but on the aeroplane running on the speed of vāyu, or air, or mind, the speed of mind, still, by traversing many crores of years, you cannot reach. Still it, it remains avicintya, inconceivable. But if you take to the process of this kṛṣṇa-yoga, or bhakti-yoga, then you can become aware of Kṛṣṇa very easily. Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ [Bg. 18.55]. To understand Kṛṣṇa superficially, that is not sufficient. That is also good, but you must have tattvataḥ, what is Kṛṣṇa actually. That knowledge can be achieved—bhaktyā, by this kṛṣṇa-yoga. Otherwise,
:manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
:kaścid yatati siddhaye
:yatatām api siddhānāṁ
:kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ
:[Bg. 7.3]
There are so many human beings all over the world, Mostly, they're like animals—without culture. Because, according to our Vedic culture, unless one takes to the institution of varṇa and āśrama, he's not a human being. He's not accepted. So therefore Kṛṣṇa says manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu. Who is accepting this varṇāśrama? No. Chaotic condition. So in that chaotic condition you cannot understand what is God, what is Kṛṣṇa.</span>

<span class="q_heading">'''You have to understand what is Kṛṣṇa, not superficially. Even superficially you understand, even you do not understand, if you accept Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme, then either you read Vedas or not Vedas, the same thing, because you have come to the conclusion.'''</span>

<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Hong Kong, January 25, 1975|Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Hong Kong, January 25, 1975]]:''' So Kṛṣṇa is understood through the Vedas. Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ [Bg. 15.15]. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. You cannot imagine of Kṛṣṇa. If some rascal says that "I am imagining," that is rascaldom. You have to see Kṛṣṇa through the Vedas. Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ [Bg. 15.15]. That is the purpose of studying Vedas. Therefore it is called Vedānta. Kṛṣṇa's knowledge is Vedānta. Anta means the end, the last word, last word. So last word... What is the last word of Vedic knowledge? Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate [SB 1.2.11]. First of all knowledge of the Brahman, then Paramātmā, then last knowledge is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam [SB 1.3.28]. Janmādy asya yataḥ [SB 1.1.1]. Kṛṣṇa says, ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ [Bg. 10.8]. Sarvasya, or Brahman, Paramātmā, and Bhagavān. The Bhagavān is the origin of Paramātmā and Brahman. Brahmaṇaḥ ahaṁ pratiṣṭhā.
So in this way you have to understand what is Kṛṣṇa, not superficially. Even superficially you understand, even you do not understand, if you accept Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme, then either you read Vedas or not Vedas, the same thing, because you have come to the conclusion.</span>

<span class="q_heading">'''We have to understand Kṛṣṇa in truth. Simply superficially, if we understand Kṛṣṇa, that "Kṛṣṇa was born of the father and mother, Devakī and Vasudeva, and He was born in Mathurā, and then played with the gopīs. And then the..., He taught something on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra," that is not sufficient knowledge.'''</span>

<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 7.1-3 -- Ahmedabad, December 14, 1972|Lecture on BG 7.1-3 -- Ahmedabad, December 14, 1972]]:''' To understand Kṛṣṇa means to understand everything. Therefore tattvam.
:manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
:kaścid yatati siddhaye
:yatatām api siddhānāṁ
:kaścin māṁ vetti tattvataḥ
:[Bg. 7.3]
We have to understand Kṛṣṇa in truth. Simply superficially, if we understand Kṛṣṇa, that "Kṛṣṇa was born of the father and mother, Devakī and Vasudeva, and He was born in Mathurā, and then played with the gopīs. And then the..., He taught something on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra," that is not sufficient knowledge. We should try to understand samagram, as far as possible in complete. Then our devotion, our love for Kṛṣṇa, will be increased.</span>

<span class="q_heading">'''The same tattva, in truth, not superficially, if you understand Kṛṣṇa, then after giving up this body, you'll not have to accept another material body. '''</span>

<span class="LEC-statistics">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 13.18 -- Bombay, October 12, 1973|Lecture on BG 13.18 -- Bombay, October 12, 1973]]:''' Without taking to the process of bhakti, you cannot get out of the influence of māyā. That is required. That is the objective of life. Jñeyaṁ jñāna-gamyam. So if we utilize our life for understanding the supreme, jñeyaṁ jñāna-gamyam... Mayi ca, ananya-yogena bhakti... If you learn that art, how you can become ananya-yoga-bhakti, avyabhicāriṇī-bhakti, then you'll understand what is Kṛṣṇa. Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ [Bg. 18.55]. By tattva, by truth, you will be able to understand Kṛṣṇa, and as soon as you understand Kṛṣṇa, your life becomes successful. Janma karma me divyaṁ yo jānāti tattvataḥ.
So the same tattva, in truth, not superficially, if you understand Kṛṣṇa, then tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. After giving up this body, you'll not have to accept another material body. That is saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ. That is highest perfection of life. If you don't accept anymore the material form of body...</span>