Category:Authoritative Quotations
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Vedic system of knowledge is based on supporting every proposition with authoritative quotations from the scriptures. In this system, a scholar or an authorized person in the disciplic succession never speaks based on personal opinion or mental speculation; rather, they immediately quote the Vedic version to validate their points. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that this method is what distinguishes a scientific presentation from a dogmatic one, noting that even in a law court, the person who quotes authority is the one who gains the case. He emphasizes that to impress the saner section of society—including professors and learned circles—one must present everything logically while providing Sanskrit evidence. Furthermore, he highlights that the highest authorities, such as Lord Caitanya and the great rsis, followed this same principle by quoting Srimad-Bhagavatam and other sastras. Ultimately, for those seeking spiritual advancement and second initiation, the ability to provide authoritative quotations is essential, as it proves that the practitioner is not speaking from their own imagination but is following the path of the mahajanas.
- Validation of Propositions: A statement is only accepted in the Vedic system when it is supported by an authoritative quotation from the sastra, moving it beyond the level of personal thinking.
- Defeating Dogmatism: Without reference to authority, different men put forward conflicting dogmatic views; quoting authority is the only way to satisfy the saner section of society.
- The Methodology of the Acaryas: Authorized persons like Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura or Narada Muni do not speak on their own authority but provide the essence of service by quoting the Bhagavatam.
- Impression on the Learned Circle: To effectively preach to the scholarly circle, one must present main points logically and connect them with authoritative Sanskrit quotations.
- Criteria for Initiation: Candidates for second initiation are judged by their ability to provide authoritative quotations in their examinations, reflecting their mastery of the parampara system.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Supporting Propositions with Authoritative Quotations.
Pages in category "Authoritative Quotations"
The following 23 pages are in this category, out of 23 total.
A
- A scholar will not speak anything as he is thinking. No. He will give authoritative quotation to support. That is Vedic system. When you support your proposition with the Vedic version, then it is accepted
- Any question that is put forward may be answered by quoting the authority, and that satisfies the saner section. That is the system even in the law court
- Anyone wishing to be 2nd initiated will sit for examination once a year at Mayapur. Answers will be in essay form and authoritative quotations will be given a bigger score. During the exams books may not be consulted
- As I have read the literature of this Unitarian Church, in one place he has denied authority, and in another place he has quoted so many authorities. Why? If you deny authority, then why you quote other authority? So you cannot defy authority
- Authorized person in the line of disciplic succession, he does not speak by his own authority. Immediately he'll quote from the Vedic literature to support his proposition
I
- I (Prabhupada) have already spoken to you about Narada. He has also accepted Him. That means authorities. He's quoting authorities
- If there is no authority, why do you quote so many rascals? Then come to reason, argument, that's all. If you quote authority, I have got my authority
- If we approach a perfect person and submissively hear from him, then the knowledge is perfect. So Krsna is accepted as the supreme authority, as Arjuna quoted Ahus tvam rsayah sarve - All the rsis, great saintly persons, they have accepted You
- In Sri Caitanya-mangala (later known as Sri Caitanya-bhagavata) Srila Vrndavana dasa Thakura has given the conclusion and essence of devotional service by quoting the authoritative statements of Srimad-Bhagavatam
T
- That (there is no impediment in devotional service) he has very nicely explained, quoting many authoritative statement from scriptures. And another thing: it is a fact that nobody can check krsna-bhakti. It is transcendental; it is not material
- The impersonalists quotes these authorities that, "He has no hands and . . . therefore He's impersonal." No, it is not . . . if He sees, sa aiksata, if He sees, if He hears, if He creates, then there is hand, there is eyes
- Try to present everything very logically and always quoting our Sanskrit authorities in connection with the main points, and that will impress them greatly
W
- We have to accept these authorities, quotation from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Vedic literature, and quoted by authority, Lord Caitanya. We have to follow in that way. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah
- Whatever you say, you become your own authority. But what I say, I have got greater authority. Just like two lawyers speaking before the court - the lawyer who gives quotation from the authority, he gains the case
Y
- You can show them the full set of books that we are going to print in the German language, and use all of the professors quotes to show how authoritative our books are amongst the scholarly circle throughout the world
- You have not quoted any authority for all your statements. So it is more or less dogmatic. If different men put different dogmatic views about religion and its essentials who is to be accepted and who is not be