View source for Study of the Vedas

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{{compiler|Visnu Murti|Siddha Rupa|Gopinath}}
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{{first|15 Dec 2007}}
{{last|29Sep10}}
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[[Category:Studying the Vedas|1]]
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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>
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<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>
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<div id="BG225_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="64" link="BG 2.25" link_text="BG 2.25">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 2.25 (1972)|BG 2.25, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">There is no source of understanding the identity of the father except by the authority of the mother. Similarly, there is no source of understanding the soul except by studying the Vedas. In other words, the soul is inconceivable by human experimental knowledge. The soul is consciousness and conscious—that also is the statement of the Vedas, and we have to accept that.</p>
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<div id="BG246_1" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="84" link="BG 2.46" link_text="BG 2.46">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 2.46 (1972)|BG 2.46, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The rituals and sacrifices mentioned in the karma-kāṇḍa division of the Vedic literature are meant to encourage gradual development of self-realization. And the purpose of self-realization is clearly stated in the Fifteenth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā (15.15): the purpose of studying the Vedas is to know Lord Kṛṣṇa, the primeval cause of everything. So, self-realization means understanding Kṛṣṇa and one's eternal relationship with Him.</p>
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<div id="BG45_2" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="158" link="BG 4.5" link_text="BG 4.5">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.5 (1972)|BG 4.5, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">In the Vedas also it is said that the Lord, although one without a second, manifests Himself in innumerable forms. He is like the vaidūrya stone, which changes color yet still remains one. All those multiforms are understood by the pure, unalloyed devotees, but not by a simple study of the Vedas (vedeṣu durlabham adurlabham ātma-bhaktau).</p>
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<div id="BG428_3" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="181" link="BG 4.28" link_text="BG 4.28">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.28 (1972)|BG 4.28, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Having accepted strict vows, some become enlightened by sacrificing their possessions, and others by performing severe austerities, by practicing the yoga of eightfold mysticism, or by studying the Vedas to advance in transcendental knowledge."</p>
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<div id="BG430_4" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="183" link="BG 4.30" link_text="BG 4.30">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.30 (1972)|BG 4.30, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">From the foregoing explanation of different types of sacrifice (namely sacrifice of one's possessions, study of the Vedas or philosophical doctrines, and performance of the yoga system), it is found that the common aim of all is to control the senses. Sense gratification is the root cause of material existence; therefore, unless and until one is situated on a platform apart from sense gratification, there is no chance of being elevated to the eternal platform of full knowledge, full bliss and full life.</p>
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<div id="BG442_5" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="195" link="BG 4.42" link_text="BG 4.42">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 4.42 (1972)|BG 4.42, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Kṛṣṇa consciousness is awakened by different types of sacrifices to the demigods, sacrifice to Brahman, sacrifice in celibacy, in household life, in controlling the senses, in practicing mystic yoga, in penance, in forgoing material possessions, in studying the Vedas, and in partaking of the social institution called varṇāśrama-dharma. All of these are known as sacrifice, and all of them are based on regulated action. But within all these activities, the important factor is self-realization.</p>
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<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>
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<div id="BG828_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="58" link="BG 8.28" link_text="BG 8.28">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 8.28 (1972)|BG 8.28, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">A person who accepts the path of devotional service is not bereft of the results derived from studying the Vedas, performing sacrifices, undergoing austerities, giving charity or pursuing philosophical and fruitive activities. Simply by performing devotional service, he attains all these, and at the end he reaches the supreme eternal abode."</p>
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<div id="BG828_1" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="58" link="BG 8.28" link_text="BG 8.28, Purport">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 8.28 (1972)|BG 8.28, Purport, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">After the student studies the Vedas under the master for some time—at least from from age five to twenty—he may become a man of perfect character. Study of the Vedas is not meant for the recreation of armchair speculators, but for the formation of character. After this training, the brahmacārī is allowed to enter into household life and marry.</p>
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<div id="BG92_2" 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;">This chapter of Bhagavad-gītā is called the king of education because it is the essence of all doctrines and philosophies explained before. Among the principal philosophers in India are Gautama, Kaṇāda, Kapila, Yājñavalkya, Śāṇḍilya and Vaiśvānara. And finally there is Vyāsadeva, the author of the Vedānta-sūtra. So there is no dearth of knowledge in the field of philosophy or transcendental knowledge. Now the Lord says that this Ninth Chapter is the king of all such knowledge, the essence of all knowledge that can be derived from the study of the Vedas and different kinds of philosophy. It is the most confidential because confidential or transcendental knowledge involves understanding the difference between the soul and the body. And the king of all confidential knowledge culminates in devotional service.</p>
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<div id="BG1148_3" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="177" link="BG 11.48" link_text="BG 11.48">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 11.48 (1972)|BG 11.48, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">O best of the Kuru warriors, no one before you has ever seen this universal form of Mine, for neither by studying the Vedas, nor by performing sacrifices, nor by charity, nor by pious activities, nor by severe penances can I be seen in this form in the material world."</p>
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<div id="BG1153_4" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="182" link="BG 11.53" link_text="BG 11.53">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 11.53 (1972)|BG 11.53, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The form you are seeing with your transcendental eyes cannot be understood simply by studying the Vedas, nor by undergoing serious penances, nor by charity, nor by worship. It is not by these means that one can see Me as I am."</p>
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<div id="BG1154_5" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="183" link="BG 11.54" link_text="BG 11.54">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 11.54 (1972)|BG 11.54, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">No one can understand Kṛṣṇa or how He came from parents in a four-handed form and at once changed Himself into a two-handed form. These things are very difficult to understand by study of the Vedas or by philosophical speculation. Therefore it is clearly stated here that no one can see Him or enter into understanding of these matters.</p>
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<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>
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<div id="BG1613_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_13_-_18" book="BG" index="72" link="BG 16.1-3" link_text="BG 16.1-3">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 16.1-3 (1972)|BG 16.1-3, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Fearlessness; purification of one's existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor—these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature."</p>
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<div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" class="section" sec_index="1" parent="compilation" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2>
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<div id="SB_Canto_1" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 1"><h3>SB Canto 1</h3>
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<div id="SB1424_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_1" book="SB" index="123" link="SB 1.4.24" link_text="SB 1.4.24">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 1.4.24|SB 1.4.24, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">A class of men, who claim brahminical qualification simply by their birthright in the family of a brāhmaṇa, claim that the study of the Vedas is a monopoly of the brāhmaṇa caste only. Another section of the people take this as an injustice to members of other castes, who do not happen to take birth in a brāhmaṇa family. But both of them are misguided. The Vedas are subjects which had to be explained even to Brahmājī by the Supreme Lord.</p>
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<div id="SB1522_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_1" book="SB" index="153" link="SB 1.5.22" link_text="SB 1.5.22">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 1.5.22|SB 1.5.22, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry.</p>
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<div id="SB_Canto_3" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 3"><h3>SB Canto 3</h3>
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<div id="SB363_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="197" link="SB 3.6.3" link_text="SB 3.6.3">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.6.3|SB 3.6.3, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">They are all given a chance to take advantage of the Vedic wisdom and find out what is their relationship with the Supreme Lord, how they can be liberated, and what the ultimate profit is in such liberation. By properly studying the Vedas one becomes conscious of his position and thus takes to the transcendental devotional service of the Lord and is gradually promoted to the spiritual sky.</p>
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<div id="SB3337_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="1359" link="SB 3.33.7" link_text="SB 3.33.7">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.33.7|SB 3.33.7, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">One should not disbelieve or think, "How by chanting the holy name of the Lord can one become a holy man to be compared to the most elevated brāhmaṇa?" To eradicate such doubts in the minds of unbelievers, this verse affirms that the stage of chanting of the holy name of the Lord is not sudden, but that the chanters have already performed all kinds of Vedic rituals and sacrifices. It is not very astounding, for no one in this life can chant the holy name of the Lord unless he has passed all lower stages, such as performing the Vedic ritualistic sacrifices, studying the Vedas and practicing good behavior like that of the Āryans. All this must first have been done.</p>
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<div id="SB_Canto_4" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 4"><h3>SB Canto 4</h3>
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<div id="SB413_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="3" link="SB 4.1.3" link_text="SB 4.1.3">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.1.3|SB 4.1.3, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">All of these three classes are called less intelligent; they have no access to the study of the Vedas, which are specifically meant for persons who have acquired the brahminical qualifications. This restriction is based not upon any sectarian distinction but upon qualification. The Vedic literatures cannot be understood unless one has developed the brahminical qualifications.</p>
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<div id="SB41212_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="507" link="SB 4.12.12" link_text="SB 4.12.12">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.12.12|SB 4.12.12, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">One word is very significant in this connection: brahmaṇyam. Dhruva Mahārāja was very devoted to the brāhmaṇas, who engage in the study of the Vedas and thereby know the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are always busy propagating Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The state should be very respectful to societies that distribute God consciousness all over the world, but, unfortunately, at the present moment there is no state or government support given to such movements. As for good qualities, it is very difficult to find anyone in state administration with any good qualities.</p>
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<div id="SB41248_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="543" link="SB 4.12.48" link_text="SB 4.12.48">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.12.48|SB 4.12.48, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The first birth is made possible by the parents, and the second birth is made possible by the spiritual father and Vedic knowledge. Unless one is twice-born one cannot understand the transcendental characteristics of the Lord and His devotees. Study of the Vedas is therefore forbidden for śūdras. Simply by academic qualifications a śūdra cannot understand the transcendental science. At the present moment, throughout the entire world the educational system is geared to produce śūdras. A big technologist is no more than a big śūdra. Kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ: in the age of Kali, everyone is a śūdra.</p>
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<div id="SB43111_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="1370" link="SB 4.31.11" link_text="SB 4.31.11">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.31.11|SB 4.31.11, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Our relationship with the Supreme Lord is never advanced by simple study of the Vedas. There are many Māyāvādī sannyāsīs fully engaged in studying the Vedas, Vedānta-sūtra and Upaniṣads, but unfortunately they cannot grasp the real essence of knowledge. In other words, they do not know the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What, then, is the use in studying all the Vedas if one cannot grasp the essence of the Vedas, Kṛṣṇa? The Lord confirms in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15), vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ: "By all the Vedas, I am to be known."</p>
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<div id="SB_Canto_5" class="sub_section" sec_index="5" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 5"><h3>SB Canto 5</h3>
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<div id="SB596_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_5" book="SB" index="210" link="SB 5.9.6" link_text="SB 5.9.6">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 5.9.6|SB 5.9.6, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The brāhmaṇa father of Jaḍa Bharata considered his son his heart and soul, and therefore he was very much attached to him. He thought it wise to educate his son properly, and being absorbed in this unsuccessful endeavor, he tried to teach his son the rules and regulations of brahmacarya—including the execution of the Vedic vows, cleanliness, study of the Vedas, the regulative methods, service to the spiritual master and the method of offering a fire sacrifice. He tried his best to teach his son in this way, but all his endeavors failed. In his heart he hoped that his son would be a learned scholar, but all his attempts were unsuccessful. Like everyone, this brāhmaṇa was attached to his home, and he had forgotten that someday he would die. Death, however, was not forgetful. At the proper time, death appeared and took him away.</p>
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<div id="SB5112_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_5" book="SB" index="252" link="SB 5.11.2" link_text="SB 5.11.2">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 5.11.2|SB 5.11.2, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Even after coming to the platform of understanding tattva, one must worship Bhagavān, Viṣṇu and His expansions, or one is not yet perfect. Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate: ([[Vanisource:BG 7.19 (1972)|BG 7.19]]) after many births, one who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Kṛṣṇa. The conclusion is that unintelligent men with a poor fund of knowledge cannot understand Bhagavān, Brahman or Paramātmā, but after studying the Vedas and attaining the understanding of the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one is supposed to be on the platform of perfect knowledge.</p>
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<div id="SB5184_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_5" book="SB" index="429" link="SB 5.18.4" link_text="SB 5.18.4">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 5.18.4|SB 5.18.4, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The Lord is always prepared to excuse His devotee, but if a devotee takes advantage of the Lord's leniency and purposefully commits mistakes again and again, the Lord will certainly punish him by letting him fall down into the clutches of the illusory energy. In other words, theoretical knowledge acquired by studying the Vedas is insufficient to protect one from the clutches of māyā. One must strongly adhere to the lotus feet of the Lord in devotional service. Then one's position is secure.</p>
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<div id="SB_Canto_6" class="sub_section" sec_index="6" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 6"><h3>SB Canto 6</h3>
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<div id="SB61Summary_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_6" book="SB" index="1" link="SB 6.1 Summary" link_text="SB 6.1 Summary">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 6.1 Summary|SB 6.1 Summary]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">To prove the strength of devotional service, Śukadeva Gosvāmī described the history of Ajāmila. Ajāmila was a resident of Kānyakubja (the modern Kanauj). He was trained by his parents to become a perfect brāhmaṇa by studying the Vedas and following the regulative principles, but because of his past, this youthful brāhmaṇa was somehow attracted by a prostitute, and because of her association he became most fallen and abandoned all regulative principles.</p>
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<div id="SB6325_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_6" book="SB" index="130" link="SB 6.3.25" link_text="SB 6.3.25">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 6.3.25|SB 6.3.25, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Since one may easily achieve the highest success by chanting the holy name of the Lord, one may ask why there are so many Vedic ritualistic ceremonies and why people are attracted to them. This verse answers that question. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15), vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ: the real purpose of studying the Vedas is to approach the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Unfortunately, unintelligent people bewildered by the grandeur of Vedic yajñas want to see gorgeous sacrifices performed. They want Vedic mantras chanted and huge amounts of money spent for such ceremonies.</p>
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<div id="SB_Canto_7" class="sub_section" sec_index="7" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 7"><h3>SB Canto 7</h3>
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<div id="SB7210_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="55" link="SB 7.2.10" link_text="SB 7.2.10">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.2.10|SB 7.2.10, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">People are inclined to offer yajña because unless sacrifices are offered there will be insufficient rain (yajñād bhavati parjanyaḥ ([[Vanisource:BG 3.14 (1972)|BG 3.14]])), which will hamper agricultural activities (parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ). By introducing brahminical culture, therefore, a kṣatriya government should engage people in performing yajña, studying the Vedas and giving charity. Thus the people will receive their necessities for life very easily, and there will be no disturbances in society.</p>
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<div id="SB7949_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="407" link="SB 7.9.49" link_text="SB 7.9.49">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.9.49|SB 7.9.49, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">After understanding the Supreme Lord through devotional service, such devotees are no longer interested in studies of the Vedas. Indeed, this is confirmed in the Vedas also. The Vedas say, kim arthā vayam adhyeṣyāmahe kim arthā vayam vakṣyāmahe. What is the use of studying so many Vedic literatures? What is the use of explaining them in different ways? Vayam vakṣyāmahe. No one needs to study any more Vedic literatures, nor does anyone need to describe them by philosophical speculation.</p>
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<div id="SB7950_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="408" link="SB 7.9.50" link_text="SB 7.9.50">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.9.50|SB 7.9.50, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The Vedas enjoin: nāyam ātmā pravacanena labhyo na medhayā na bahunā śrutena. One cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead simply by studying the Vedas and offering prayers. Only by the grace of the Supreme Lord can one understand Him. The process of understanding the Lord, therefore, is bhakti. Without bhakti, simply following the Vedic injunctions to understand the Absolute Truth will not be helpful at all. The process of bhakti is understood by the paramahaṁsa, one who has accepted the essence of everything.</p>
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<div id="SB71114_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="490" link="SB 7.11.14" link_text="SB 7.11.14">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.11.14|SB 7.11.14, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Of the six occupational duties of the brāhmaṇas, three are compulsory—namely, worship of the Deity, study of the Vedas and the giving of charity. In exchange, a brāhmaṇa should receive charity, and this should be his means of livelihood. A brāhmaṇa cannot take up any professional occupational duty for his livelihood. The śāstras especially stress that if one claims to be a brāhmaṇa, he cannot engage in the service of anyone else; otherwise he at once falls from his position and becomes a śūdra.</p>
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<div id="SB71223_5" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="530" link="SB 7.12.23" link_text="SB 7.12.23">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.12.23|SB 7.12.23, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">When because of disease or old age one is unable to perform his prescribed duties for advancement in spiritual consciousness or study of the Vedas, he should practice fasting, not taking any food.</p>
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</div>
<div id="SB715Summary_6" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="616" link="SB 7.15 Summary" link_text="SB 7.15 Summary">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.15 Summary|SB 7.15 Summary]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Above them, however, are brāhmaṇas who are very much attracted by austerities and penances and who retire from family life. They are known as vānaprasthas. Other brāhmaṇas are very much interested in studying the Vedas and explaining the purport of the Vedas to others. Such brāhmaṇas are called brahmacārīs. And still other brāhmaṇas are interested in different types of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga and jñāna-yoga. Such brāhmaṇas are mostly sannyāsīs, members of the renounced order of life.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB71526_7" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_7" book="SB" index="642" link="SB 7.15.26" link_text="SB 7.15.26">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 7.15.26|SB 7.15.26, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">One should consider the ācārya to be as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In spite of all these instructions, if one considers the spiritual master an ordinary human being, one is doomed. His study of the Vedas and his austerities and penances for enlightenment are all useless, like the bathing of an elephant. An elephant bathes in a lake quite thoroughly, but as soon as it comes on the shore it takes some dust from the ground and strews it over its body. Thus there is no meaning to the elephant's bath.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB_Canto_101_to_1013" class="sub_section" sec_index="10" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 10.1 to 10.13"><h3>SB Canto 10.1 to 10.13</h3>
</div>
<div id="SB10845_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_10.1_to_10.13" book="SB" index="336" link="SB 10.8.45" link_text="SB 10.8.45">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 10.8.45|SB 10.8.45, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">As stated in Bhagavad-gītā (15.15) by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, the purpose of studying the Vedas is to understand Him (vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ). Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained to Sanātana Gosvāmī that there are three purposes in the Vedas. One is to understand our relationship with Kṛṣṇa (sambandha), another is to act according to that relationship (abhidheya), and the third is to reach the ultimate goal (prayojana). The word prayojana means "necessities," and the ultimate necessity is explained by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB10845_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_10.1_to_10.13" book="SB" index="336" link="SB 10.8.45" link_text="SB 10.8.45">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 10.8.45|SB 10.8.45, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">When a human being enters into the study of the Vedas to obtain vidyā, knowledge, he begins to take part in human civilization. Then he advances further to study the Upaniṣads and gain brahma jñāna, impersonal realization of the Absolute Truth, and then he advances still further, to sāṅkhya-yoga, in order to understand the supreme controller, who is indicated in Bhagavad-gītā (paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān/puruṣaṁ śāśvatam ([[Vanisource:BG 10.12-13 (1972)|BG 10.12]])).</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB101157_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_10.1_to_10.13" book="SB" index="460" link="SB 10.11.57" link_text="SB 10.11.57">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 10.11.57|SB 10.11.57, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The purpose of human life is indicated in the Brahma-sūtra: athāto brahma jijñāsā. To make one's life perfect—in the past, present and future—one must learn about Brahman. Because of intense affection, Nanda Mahārāja could not understand Kṛṣṇa as He is. Gargamuni was able to know everything, past, present and future, by studying the Vedas, but Nanda Mahārāja could not understand Kṛṣṇa directly. Because of his intense love for Kṛṣṇa, he forgot who Kṛṣṇa was and could not understand Kṛṣṇa's potency. Although Kṛṣṇa is Nārāyaṇa Himself, Gargamuni did not disclose this.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB_Cantos_1014_to_12_Translations_Only" class="sub_section" sec_index="11" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Cantos 10.14 to 12 (Translations Only)"><h3>SB Cantos 10.14 to 12 (Translations Only)</h3>
</div>
<div id="SB1169_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Cantos_10.14_to_12_(Translations_Only)" book="SB" index="3306" link="SB 11.6.9" link_text="SB 11.6.9">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 11.6.9|SB 11.6.9, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">O greatest of all, those whose consciousness is polluted by illusion cannot purify themselves merely by ordinary worship, study of the Vedas, charity, austerity and ritual activities. Our Lord, those pure souls who have developed a powerful transcendental faith in Your glories achieve a purified state of existence that can never be attained by those lacking such faith.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB11129_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Cantos_10.14_to_12_(Translations_Only)" book="SB" index="3567" link="SB 11.12.9" link_text="SB 11.12.9">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 11.12.9|SB 11.12.9, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Even though one engages with great endeavor in the mystic yoga system, philosophical speculation, charity, vows, penances, ritualistic sacrifices, teaching of Vedic mantras to others, personal study of the Vedas, or the renounced order of life, still one cannot achieve Me.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB12323_5" class="quote" parent="SB_Cantos_10.14_to_12_(Translations_Only)" book="SB" index="4456" link="SB 12.3.23" link_text="SB 12.3.23">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 12.3.23|SB 12.3.23, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">In the Dvāpara age people are interested in glory and are very noble. They devote themselves to the study of the Vedas, possess great opulence, support large families and enjoy life with vigor. Of the four classes, the kṣatriyas and brāhmaṇas are most numerous.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB12813_6" class="quote" parent="SB_Cantos_10.14_to_12_(Translations_Only)" book="SB" index="4639" link="SB 12.8.13" link_text="SB 12.8.13">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 12.8.13|SB 12.8.13, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">In this way the devotional mystic Mārkaṇḍeya maintained rigid celibacy through penance, study of the Vedas and self-discipline. With his mind thus free of all disturbances, he turned it inward and meditated on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who lies beyond the material senses.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="SB1292_7" class="quote" parent="SB_Cantos_10.14_to_12_(Translations_Only)" book="SB" index="4674" link="SB 12.9.2" link_text="SB 12.9.2">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 12.9.2|SB 12.9.2, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Mārkaṇḍeya, you are indeed the best of all learned brāhmaṇas. You have perfected your life by practicing fixed meditation upon the Supreme Soul, as well as by focusing upon Me your undeviating devotional service, your austerities, your study of the Vedas and your strict adherence to regulative principles.</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="CCAdi61415_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="850" link="CC Adi 6.14-15" link_text="CC Adi 6.14-15">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 6.14-15|CC Adi 6.14-15, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Accepting the impersonalist view of voidness or the nonexistence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead negates all study of the Vedas. Impersonal speculation aims at disproving the conclusion of the Vedas. Therefore any impersonal speculative presentation should be understood to be against the principles of the Vedas, or standard scriptures. Since the speculation of the impersonalists does not follow the principles of the Vedas, their conclusion must be considered to be against the Vedic principles.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAdi1776_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="2013" link="CC Adi 17.76" link_text="CC Adi 17.76">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 17.76|CC Adi 17.76, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">"(The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, said:) "My dear Uddhava, neither through aṣṭāṅga-yoga (the mystic yoga system to control the senses), nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities, charity or acceptance of sannyāsa can one satisfy Me as much as by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.""</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAdi17257_2" class="quote" parent="CC_Adi-lila" book="CC" index="2192" link="CC Adi 17.257" link_text="CC Adi 17.257">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Adi 17.257|CC Adi 17.257, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Anyone who does not follow the surrendering process but is simply interested in an academic career cannot make any advancement. His profit is only his labor for nothing. If one is expert in the study of the Vedas but does not surrender to a spiritual master or Viṣṇu, all his cultivation of knowledge is but a waste of time and labor.</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="CCMadhya6151_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1120" link="CC Madhya 6.151" link_text="CC Madhya 6.151">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 6.151|CC Madhya 6.151, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">One who has no Vedic knowledge, who has not studied the Vedas from a bona fide spiritual master, does not know Kṛṣṇa. Therefore he is a mūḍha. Such fools take Kṛṣṇa to be an ordinary person (paraṁ bhāvam ajānantaḥ). They do not actually know what Kṛṣṇa is. Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye ([[Vanisource:BG 7.3 (1972)|BG 7.3]]). It is not possible to understand Kṛṣṇa simply by studying the Vedas perfectly. One must have the mercy of a devotee (yat-pādam). Unless one is favored by a devotee, he cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya6178_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1147" link="CC Madhya 6.178" link_text="CC Madhya 6.178">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 6.178|CC Madhya 6.178, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">In the Bhagavad-gītā (15.15) Lord Kṛṣṇa confirms this statement: vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ. The actual purpose in reading the Vedas is to learn how to become a devotee of the Supreme Lord. The Lord Himself advises, man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru ([[Vanisource:BG 9.34 (1972)|BG 9.34]]). Therefore, after studying the Vedas, one must then execute devotional service by thinking always of the Supreme Lord (man-manā), becoming His devotee, worshiping Him and always offering Him obeisances. This is called viṣṇu-ārādhana, and it is the supreme occupational duty of all human beings.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya6178_2" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="1147" link="CC Madhya 6.178" link_text="CC Madhya 6.178">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 6.178|CC Madhya 6.178, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">This is the whole scheme of Vedic civilization. However, this institution is very difficult to establish in this age; therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu advises that we not worry about the Vedic system of varṇāśrama-dharma. Rather, we should take directly to the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and simply hear about the Supreme Personality of Godhead from pure devotees. This is the process recommended by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and this is the purpose for studying the Vedas.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya17186_3" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="3962" link="CC Madhya 17.186" link_text="CC Madhya 17.186">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 17.186|CC Madhya 17.186, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu continued, ""Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated, self-realized person. Consequently, as the śāstras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the mahājanas advocate.""</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya20137_4" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="4626" link="CC Madhya 20.137" link_text="CC Madhya 20.137">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 20.137|CC Madhya 20.137, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“(The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, said:) ‘My dear Uddhava, neither through aṣṭāṅga-yoga (the mystic yoga system to control the senses), nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities, charity or acceptance of sannyāsa can one satisfy Me as much as by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya20248_5" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="4736" link="CC Madhya 20.248" link_text="CC Madhya 20.248">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 20.248|CC Madhya 20.248, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">"My Lord, if one is favored by even a slight trace of the mercy of Your lotus feet, he can understand the greatness of Your personality. But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue studying the Vedas for many years."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya2252_6" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="5094" link="CC Madhya 22.52" link_text="CC Madhya 22.52">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 22.52|CC Madhya 22.52, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“"O King Rahūgaṇa, without taking upon one"s head the dust from the lotus feet of a pure devotee (a mahājana or mahātmā), one cannot attain devotional service. Devotional service is not possible to attain simply by undergoing severe austerities and penances, by gorgeously worshiping the Deity, or by strictly following the rules and regulations of the sannyāsa or gṛhastha order; nor is it attained by studying the Vedas, submerging oneself in water, or exposing oneself to fire or scorching sunlight.’</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya22141_7" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="5176" link="CC Madhya 22.141" link_text="CC Madhya 22.141">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 22.141|CC Madhya 22.141, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">“By offering oblations with ghee, one satisfies the demigods. By studying the Vedas, one performs brahma-yajña, which satisfies the great sages. Offering libations of water before one's forefathers is called pitṛ-yajña. By offering tribute, one performs bhūta-yajña. By properly receiving guests, one performs nṛ-yajña.” These are the five yajñas that liquidate the five kinds of indebtedness—indebtedness to the demigods, great sages, forefathers, living entities and common men. Therefore one has to perform these five kinds of yajñas.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya2557_8" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="5729" link="CC Madhya 25.57" link_text="CC Madhya 25.57">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 25.57|CC Madhya 25.57, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“"Dry arguments are inconclusive. A great personality whose opinion does not differ from others is not considered a great sage. Simply by studying the Vedas, which are variegated, one cannot come to the right path by which religious principles are understood. The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated, self-realized person. Consequently, as the śāstras confirm, one should accept whatever progressive path the mahājanas advocate."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCMadhya25137_9" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="5809" link="CC Madhya 25.137" link_text="CC Madhya 25.137">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 25.137|CC Madhya 25.137, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“(The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, said:) "My dear Uddhava, neither through aṣṭāṅga-yoga (the mystic yoga system to control the senses), nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities, charity or acceptance of sannyāsa can one satisfy Me as much as by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me."</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="CCAntya3222_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="610" link="CC Antya 3.222" link_text="CC Antya 3.222">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 3.222|CC Antya 3.222, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Kṛṣṇa says, "Even if a nondevotee comes from a brāhmaṇa family and is expert in studying the Vedas, he is not very dear to Me, whereas even if a sincere devotee comes from a low family of meat-eaters, he is very dear to Me. Such a sincere pure devotee should be given charity, for he is as worshipable as I."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="CCAntya459_1" class="quote" parent="CC_Antya-lila" book="CC" index="719" link="CC Antya 4.59" link_text="CC Antya 4.59">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Antya 4.59|CC Antya 4.59, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“(The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, said:) "My dear Uddhava, neither through aṣṭāṅga-yoga (the mystic yoga system for controlling the senses), nor through impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor through study of the Vedas, nor through austerities, charity or acceptance of sannyāsa can one satisfy Me as much as by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me."</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="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="NOD9_0" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="46" link="NOD 9" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 9">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 9|Nectar of Devotion 9]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In the First Canto, Fifth Chapter, verse 22, of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Nārada Muni tells his disciple Vyāsadeva, "My dear Vyāsa, you should know that persons who are engaged in executing austerities and penances, studying the Vedas, performing big sacrifices, chanting the hymns of the Vedas, speculating on transcendental knowledge and performing charitable functions have for all their auspicious activities simply to gain a place in the association of devotees and chant the glories of the Lord." It is indicated here that chanting about and glorifying the Lord is the ultimate activity of the living entity.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD10_1" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="57" link="NOD 10" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 10">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 10|Nectar of Devotion 10]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu also recommended this process of hearing as a means of self-realization in the present age of Kali. In this age it is very difficult to follow thoroughly the regulative principles and studies of the Vedas which were formerly recommended. However, if one gives aural reception to the sound vibrated by great devotees and ācāryas, that alone will give him relief from all material contamination. Therefore it is the recommendation of Caitanya Mahāprabhu that one should simply hear from authorities who are actually devotees of the Lord.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="NOD35_2" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="276" link="NOD 35" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 35">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 35|Nectar of Devotion 35]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The impulse of a saintly person is to be engaged in the study of the Vedas, especially the Upaniṣadic portions, to live always in a place where there is no disturbance from the common people, to think always of the eternal form of Kṛṣṇa, to be ready to consider and understand the Absolute Truth, to be always prominent in exhibiting knowledge, to see the Supreme Lord in His universal form (viśva-rūpa), to associate always with learned devotees and to discuss the conclusion of the Vedas with similarly elevated persons. All of these qualifications of a saintly person serve to raise him to the status of śānta-rasa.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Easy_Journey_to_Other_Planets" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Easy Journey to Other Planets"><h3>Easy Journey to Other Planets</h3>
</div>
<div id="EJ1_0" class="quote" parent="Easy_Journey_to_Other_Planets" book="OB" index="2" link="EJ 1" link_text="Easy Journey to Other Planets 1">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:EJ 1|Easy Journey to Other Planets 1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Such devotees, who are passengers progressing in the journey of life toward the antimaterial kingdom of God, are never bewildered. No one is cheated or disappointed when he adopts the guaranteed path of devotion for entrance into the antimaterial universe. One can easily attain all the results that are derived from the studies of the Vedas, performances of sacrifice, practices of penance and offerings of charities simply by the unilateral performance of devotional service, technically known as bhakti-yoga.</p>
</div>
</div>
<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>
</div>
<div id="KB5_0" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="9" link="KB 5" link_text="Krsna Book 5">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 5|Krsna Book 5]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In this material world it is to be understood that we are always living in a contaminated state. We therefore have to purify the duration of our lives, our possession of wealth and our self. We can purify our duration of life by taking daily bath and cleansing the body inside and outside and accepting the ten kinds of purificatory processes. By austerities, by worship of the Lord, and by distribution of charity we can purify the possession of wealth. We can purify our self by studying the Vedas in order to understand the Absolute Truth and achieve self-realization. It is therefore stated in the Vedic literature that by birth everyone is born a śūdra, that by accepting the purificatory process one becomes twice-born, that by studying the Vedas one becomes a vipra, which is the preliminary qualification for becoming a brāhmaṇa, and that when one perfectly understands the Absolute Truth he is called a brāhmaṇa. And when the brāhmaṇa reaches further perfection, he becomes a Vaiṣṇava, or a devotee.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB20_1" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="24" link="KB 20" link_text="Krsna Book 20">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 20|Krsna Book 20]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Students are generally supposed to rise early in the morning. They do not usually arise of their own accord, however, but only when there is a bell sounded in the temple or other spiritual institution. By the order of the spiritual master they immediately rise, and after finishing their morning duties they sit down to study the Vedas or chant Vedic mantras. Everyone is sleeping in the darkness of Kali-yuga, but when there is a great ācārya, by his calling only, everyone takes to the study of the Vedas to acquire actual knowledge.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB20_2" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="24" link="KB 20" link_text="Krsna Book 20">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 20|Krsna Book 20]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Although the Vedas contain instructions for pursuing knowledge (jñāna), for practicing mystic yoga and for engaging in karmic activities in the form of sacrifices, the ultimate purpose of the Vedas is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā: one has to accept Kṛṣṇa consciousness after thoroughly studying the Vedas. Therefore the clean heart of a devotee in Kṛṣṇa consciousness can be compared to the clean sky of the autumn season.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB24_3" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="28" link="KB 24" link_text="Krsna Book 24">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 24|Krsna Book 24]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Let us, rather, perform our prescribed duties very nicely. Actually, one cannot be happy without executing his proper prescribed duty. One who does not, therefore, properly discharge his prescribed duties is compared to an unchaste wife. The proper prescribed duty of the brāhmaṇas is the study of the Vedas; the proper duty of the royal order, the kṣatriyas, is engagement in protecting the citizens; the proper duty of the vaiśya community is agriculture, trade and protection of the cows; and the proper duty of the śūdras is service to the higher classes, namely the brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas. We belong to the vaiśya community, and our proper duty is to farm, to trade with the agricultural produce, to protect cows or to take to banking.”</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB33_4" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="37" link="KB 33" link_text="Krsna Book 33">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 33|Krsna Book 33]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Most of the gopīs in their previous lives were great sages, expert in the study of the Vedas, and when Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared as Lord Rāmacandra they wanted to enjoy with Him. Lord Rāmacandra gave them the benediction that their desires would be fulfilled when He would appear as Kṛṣṇa. Therefore the desire of the gopīs to enjoy the appearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa was long cherished. So they approached goddess Kātyāyanī to have Kṛṣṇa as their husband.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB38_5" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="42" link="KB 38" link_text="Krsna Book 38">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 38|Krsna Book 38]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So Akrūra began to think within himself that he was unfit for gaining the transcendental opportunity of seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He considered himself as unfit for seeing Kṛṣṇa as a materialistic person is for understanding the science of God or as a fourth-class person (a śūdra) is for studying the Vedas. But then Akrūra began to think, "By the grace of Kṛṣṇa everything is possible, and thus if He likes, I will be able to see Him. Just as a blade of grass floating on the waves of a river may by chance come near the shore and gain shelter, a conditioned soul carried away by the waves of material existence may sometimes be saved by the grace of Kṛṣṇa." Akrūra thus thought that if Kṛṣṇa willed, he would be able to see Him.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB48_6" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="52" link="KB 48" link_text="Krsna Book 48">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 48|Krsna Book 48]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">You have inconceivable energy, and You are all-pervasive. There is no cause and effect, gross or subtle, but You. You are the Supreme Brahman realized through the study of the Vedas. By Your inconceivable energy, You are actually visible before us. You create this cosmic manifestation by Your own potencies, and You enter into it Yourself.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB78_7" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="82" link="KB 78" link_text="Krsna Book 78">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 78|Krsna Book 78]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The learning of such a person is as good as a valuable jewel decorating the hood of a serpent. Despite the valuable jewel on the hood, a serpent is still a serpent and is as fearful as an ordinary serpent. If a person does not become meek and humble, all his studies of the Vedas and Purāṇas and his vast knowledge of the śāstras are simply outward dress, like the costume of a theatrical artist dancing on the stage. Lord Balarāma considered, "I have appeared in order to chastise false persons who are internally impure but externally pose themselves as very learned and religious. My killing of such persons is proper, to check them from further sinful activity."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="KB84_8" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="88" link="KB 84" link_text="Krsna Book 84">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 84|Krsna Book 84]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">“Dear Lord, the Vedic knowledge is the representation of Your pure heart. Austerities, study of the Vedas, and meditative trances lead to different realizations of Your Self in Your manifested and nonmanifested aspects. The entire phenomenal world is a manifestation of Your impersonal energy, but You Yourself, as the original Personality of Godhead, are not manifested there. You are the Supreme Soul, the Supreme Brahman. Persons who are situated in brahminical culture, therefore, can understand the truth about Your transcendental form. Thus You always hold the brāhmaṇas in respect, and You are considered to be the topmost of all followers of brahminical culture.</p>
</div>
</div>
<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>
</div>
<div id="RTW14_0" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="6" link="RTW 1.4" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 1.4">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 1.4|Renunciation Through Wisdom 1.4]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In previous ages, one could study the Vedas and purify oneself by living according to those instructions. But it is impossible for the present population to properly execute scriptural injunctions, which includes strictly following vows of celibacy. One who is extremely degraded and sinful cannot find the accurate path to realization by studying the Vedas. It is a waste of time even to explain the meaning of the Vedas to such persons, who are devoid of proper up-bringing and discipline. Lord Caitanya has indeed showered His mercy upon these Kali-yuga people. So there is no doubt that those who are unable even to receive this mercy from Lord Caitanya are forever bereft of saving grace.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RTW51_1" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="39" link="RTW 5.1" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 5.1|Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">By studying the Vedas, the Vedānta-sūtra, and the Upaniṣads, one may find processes for purifying the consciousness and elevating oneself to the transcendental platform. But for the conditioned souls of Kali-yuga, such means are beyond reach. Lord Caitanya alone can liberate the conditioned souls of this age. In His younger days Lord Caitanya was known as Nimāi Paṇḍita because He was an erudite scholar. Indeed, He became famous as a master of logic.</p>
</div>
</div>
<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="ISO9_0" class="quote" parent="Sri_Isopanisad" book="OB" index="11" link="ISO 9" link_text="Sri Isopanisad 9">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:ISO 9|Sri Isopanisad 9, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Such veda-vāda-ratas are especially condemned in this mantra by the very appropriate Sanskrit words vidyāyāṁ ratāḥ. Vidyāyām refers to the study of the Vedas because the Vedas are the origin of all knowledge (vidyā), and ratāḥ means "those engaged." Vidyāyāṁ ratāḥ thus means "those engaged in the study of the Vedas." The so-called students of the Vedas are condemned herein because they are ignorant of the actual purpose of the Vedas on account of their disobeying the ācāryas. Such veda-vāda-ratas search out meanings in every word of the Vedas to suit their own purposes. They do not know that the Vedic literature is a collection of extraordinary books that can be understood only through the chain of disciplic succession.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Lectures" class="section" sec_index="4" parent="compilation" text="Lectures"><h2>Lectures</h2>
</div>
<div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Lectures" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures"><h3>Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG22025SeattleOctober141968_0" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="83" link="Lecture on BG 2.20-25 -- Seattle, October 14, 1968" link_text="Lecture on BG 2.20-25 -- Seattle, October 14, 1968">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 2.20-25 -- Seattle, October 14, 1968|Lecture on BG 2.20-25 -- Seattle, October 14, 1968]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Viṣṇujana: "Similarly there is no other source of understanding the soul except by studying the Vedas. In other words the soul is inconceivable to human experimental knowledge. The soul is conscious and consciousness. That also is the statement of the Vedas and we have to accept that. Unlike the bodily changes there is no change for the soul. As eternally unchangeable, he remains atomic always in comparison to the infinite Supreme Soul."</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes. Unchangeable means... The Māyāvāda theory is that "Now I am finite. I shall become infinite." That's wrong. How you can be? Eternal. Eternally infinite. You'll eternally remain infinite. You cannot be equal with God, the infinite. That is not possible. You'll have to remain as subordinate.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG42434NewYorkAugust121966_1" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="190" link="Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966" link_text="Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966|Lecture on BG 4.24-34 -- New York, August 12, 1966]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">There are dravyamaya-yajñas. Dravyamaya-yajñas means giving in charity. That is called dravyamaya-yajña. Jñānamaya-yajña means to engage oneself into the studies of the Vedas very critically, nicely. That is called jñānamaya-yajña.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG77BombayFebruary221974_2" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="274" link="Lecture on BG 7.7 -- Bombay, February 22, 1974" link_text="Lecture on BG 7.7 -- Bombay, February 22, 1974">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 7.7 -- Bombay, February 22, 1974|Lecture on BG 7.7 -- Bombay, February 22, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">This is the version of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śrama eva hi kevalam. Simply laboring. Simply uselessly laboring. If you do not awaken your Kṛṣṇa consciousness by studying the Vedas, by studying Bhagavad-gītā, by studying Bhagavad... Simply Bhagavad-gītā. This is the essence of all Vedic literature, although it is ABCD, beginning of spiritual life, spiritual understanding.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonBG1316BombayOctober101973_3" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="364" link="Lecture on BG 13.16 -- Bombay, October 10, 1973" link_text="Lecture on BG 13.16 -- Bombay, October 10, 1973">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 13.16 -- Bombay, October 10, 1973|Lecture on BG 13.16 -- Bombay, October 10, 1973]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">There is another verse, advaitam acyutam anādim ananta-rūpam ādyaṁ purāṇa-puruṣaṁ nava-yauvanaṁ ca, vedeṣu durlabham adurlabham ātma-bhaktau (Bs. 5.33). Vedeṣu durlabham. If you want to understand the Absolute Truth by simply studying the Vedas, although the Vedas mean vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ... ([[Vanisource:BG 15.15 (1972)|BG 15.15]]). Kṛṣṇa is to be understood. That is the Vedic object. But if you have no devotional feeling, then, even if you go on reading Vedic literature for many millions of years, you'll not understand what is Kṛṣṇa. Vedaiś ca sarvaiḥ.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Lectures" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures"><h3>Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="LectureonSB791113HawaiiMarch241969_0" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="813" link="Lecture on SB 7.9.11-13 -- Hawaii, March 24, 1969" link_text="Lecture on SB 7.9.11-13 -- Hawaii, March 24, 1969">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.9.11-13 -- Hawaii, March 24, 1969|Lecture on SB 7.9.11-13 -- Hawaii, March 24, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">If you want to love Kṛṣṇa, there is no check. There is no check. The road is open. Simply you have to become sincere. That's all. Then Kṛṣṇa will clear the way. And if there is no sincerity, then Kṛṣṇa's māyā is there. He'll always, she'll always put some stumbling block: "Not this, not this, not this." So Prahlāda Mahārāja decided that "Although I am a child, I have no education, I have no studies of the Vedas, and born of atheistic father, lowborn, so all bad qualification... So God is worshiped by intellectual persons, offering Vedic hymns, and brāhmaṇas, highly cultured. So I have no such qualification.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Lectures" text="Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures"><h3>Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="LectureonCCAdilila77MayapurMarch91974_0" class="quote" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" book="Lec" index="25" link="Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.7 -- Mayapur, March 9, 1974" link_text="Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.7 -- Mayapur, March 9, 1974">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.7 -- Mayapur, March 9, 1974|Lecture on CC Adi-lila 7.7 -- Mayapur, March 9, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Therefore one devotee prayed, aham iha śrī-nandaṁ vande yasyālinde paraṁ brahma, śrutim apare smṛtim itare. The devotee is praying that "Somebody is studying the Vedas, somebody is studying the Purāṇas, the smṛtis," śrutim apare smṛtim itare, "and somebody is studying Mahābhārata to understand God." But the devotee says, "I do not want to understand God. I want to worship Nanda Mahārāja, under whose..., in the courtyard of his house the Parabrahman is crawling." That is nandātma... That is the, I mean to say, superior position of nandātmaja, Nanda Mahārāja. So this is philosophy. Ordinary men cannot understand.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="LectureonCCMadhyalila20137NewYorkNovember281966_1" class="quote" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta_Lectures" book="Lec" index="75" link="Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137 -- New York, November 28, 1966" link_text="Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137 -- New York, November 28, 1966">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137 -- New York, November 28, 1966|Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.137 -- New York, November 28, 1966]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Somebody is fasting. Somebody is in the solitary place in the jungle. They are meditating. So many, there are process of penances and austerities. And tyāga, and renunciation. Just like sannyāsī, renounced order of life. So (the) Lord says, "All these processes—the yoga process, the sāṅkhya process, the ritualistic process, or studying the Vedas or undergoing severe type of penance and austerities—all these processes, combined together or individually, they are not suitable for achieving Me. They are not."</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="General_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="11" parent="Lectures" text="General Lectures"><h3>General Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="LectureatWorldHealthOrganizationGenevaJune61974_0" class="quote" parent="General_Lectures" book="Lec" index="147" link="Lecture at World Health Organization -- Geneva, June 6, 1974" link_text="Lecture at World Health Organization -- Geneva, June 6, 1974">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture at World Health Organization -- Geneva, June 6, 1974|Lecture at World Health Organization -- Geneva, June 6, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The social division must be there. The most intellectual class of men, they should be engaged in studying the Vedas and acquire the knowledge and spread it to the human society so that they may be guided and do the needful for peaceful situation of the society. That is the guidance. The kṣatriyas, they're meant for protecting the society, military power, or martial-spirited. When there is danger, attack, they'll give us protection.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="section" sec_index="5" parent="compilation" text="Conversations and Morning Walks"><h2>Conversations and Morning Walks</h2>
</div>
<div id="1975_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1975 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1975 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3>
</div>
<div id="RoomConversationwithTwoLawyersandGuestMay221975Melbourne_0" class="quote" parent="1975_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="88" link="Room Conversation with Two Lawyers and Guest -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne" link_text="Room Conversation with Two Lawyers and Guest -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation with Two Lawyers and Guest -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne|Room Conversation with Two Lawyers and Guest -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrutakīrti:</p>
:idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā
:sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ
:avicyuto 'rthaḥ kavibhir nirūpito
:yad-uttamaśloka-guṇānuvarṇanam
:([[Vanisource:SB 1.5.22|SB 1.5.22]])
<p>"Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry."</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: The advancement of knowledge in any department, that is very good. But what is the aim? The aim is to glorify the Supreme Lord. Just like you are lawyer. You gave us help in some difficulty time. Why? Because you wanted to continue glorification of the Lord, that "These men are doing nice. Why they should be harassed?" So that means you helped glorification of the Lord.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1976_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="9" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1976 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1976 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3>
</div>
<div id="RoomConversationwithDrTheodoreKneupperNovember61976Vrndavana_0" class="quote" parent="1976_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="329" link="Room Conversation with Dr. Theodore Kneupper -- November 6, 1976, Vrndavana" link_text="Room Conversation with Dr. Theodore Kneupper -- November 6, 1976, Vrndavana">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation with Dr. Theodore Kneupper -- November 6, 1976, Vrndavana|Room Conversation with Dr. Theodore Kneupper -- November 6, 1976, Vrndavana]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Jagadīśa:</p>
:idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā
:sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ
:avicyuto 'rthaḥ kavibhir nirūpito
:yad-uttamaśloka-guṇānuvarṇanam
:([[Vanisource:SB 1.5.22|SB 1.5.22]])
<p>Translation: "Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry."</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes. Now, suppose you are a well known philosopher. If you say, "There is God," so many people will hear: "Oh, here is a big philosopher." Therefore your studies of philosophy will be perfect when you establish, "Yes, there is God." Otherwise it is useless because you will waste your time and you'll waste... Already they are Godless.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1977_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="10" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1977 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1977 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3>
</div>
<div id="RoomConversationApril21977Bombay_0" class="quote" parent="1977_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="129" link="Room Conversation -- April 2, 1977, Bombay" link_text="Room Conversation -- April 2, 1977, Bombay">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation -- April 2, 1977, Bombay|Room Conversation -- April 2, 1977, Bombay]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Gargamuni: Yes. Especially now the new prime minister is emphasizing Hindi literature and the study of the Vedas.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: And send him one copy.</p>
<p>Gargamuni: Oh, yes.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Request him that introduce this Hindi Bhāgavatam to all government officers.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Correspondence" class="section" sec_index="6" parent="compilation" text="Correspondence"><h2>Correspondence</h2>
</div>
<div id="1975_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="10" parent="Correspondence" text="1975 Correspondence"><h3>1975 Correspondence</h3>
</div>
<div id="LettertoDrJagadisaBhardawajVrindaban3September1975_0" class="quote" parent="1975_Correspondence" book="Let" index="498" link="Letter to Dr. Jagadisa Bhardawaj -- Vrindaban 3 September, 1975" link_text="Letter to Dr. Jagadisa Bhardawaj -- Vrindaban 3 September, 1975">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Dr. Jagadisa Bhardawaj -- Vrindaban 3 September, 1975|Letter to Dr. Jagadisa Bhardawaj -- Vrindaban 3 September, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Learned circles have positively concluded that the infallible purpose of the advancement of knowledge, namely austerities, study of the Vedas, sacrifice, chanting of hymns and charity, culminates in the transcendental descriptions of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry." (Bhag. 1.5.22)</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1976_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="11" parent="Correspondence" text="1976 Correspondence"><h3>1976 Correspondence</h3>
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<div id="LettertoAksayanandaNellore6January1976_0" class="quote" parent="1976_Correspondence" book="Let" index="11" link="Letter to Aksayananda -- Nellore 6 January, 1976" link_text="Letter to Aksayananda -- Nellore 6 January, 1976">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Aksayananda -- Nellore 6 January, 1976|Letter to Aksayananda -- Nellore 6 January, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Regarding the land of Sri R. N. Bhargava, since he is offering it to us for our unconditional use, why not take it? Naturally, if we start a Gosala there, later on we can start a Vedic school for the higher class of people. Study of the Vedas is not meant for children. You should ascertain definitely by asking some knowledgable persons, whether or not the Ganges will come again. Another point is whether the government can be induced to build a road there. So, if there is possibility of developing the land, then we can take it.</p>
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