Category:Studying the Vedas
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda returns again and again to a single, uncompromising conclusion about the study of the Vedas: its sole and ultimate purpose is to understand Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Drawing directly from the Bhagavad-gītā's declaration — vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ — he establishes that any study of the Vedas which does not culminate in the recognition of Kṛṣṇa is simply labor in vain, srama eva hi kevalam. At the same time, he carefully maps the proper framework for this study: brahminical qualification, initiation under a bona fide spiritual master, the cultivation of humility, and the ultimate transition from scriptural knowledge to loving devotional service.
- The Supreme Purpose of Studying the Vedas - To Know Kṛṣṇa: The Bhagavad-gītā declares unequivocally that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate object of all Vedic knowledge. All sacrifices, austerities, philosophical systems, and scriptural studies are complete only when they lead to the recognition of Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme. Any Vedāntist, however learned, who has not arrived at this conclusion has missed the entire point of the Vedas and labored for nothing.
- The Proper Qualification and Framework for Studying the Vedas: Access to Vedic knowledge is not unrestricted but requires proper qualification through the system of varṇāśrama-dharma. The twice-born initiation, or dvija-saṁskāra, marks the beginning of formal Vedic study under the guidance of a bona fide ācārya. Study of the Vedas is not for armchair speculation or recreation but for the formation of character, self-realization, and the cultivation of divine qualities.
- The Limitations of Vedic Study Without Devotion: Śrīla Prabhupāda is emphatic that studying the Vedas alone, without devotion and the mercy of the Lord, cannot reveal Kṛṣṇa in His full personal glory. The Brahma-saṁhitā confirms: vedesu durlabham — Kṛṣṇa is very difficult to find through Vedic study alone — adurllabham ātma-bhaktau — but He is easily attained by unalloyed devotees. Even the Māyāvādī sannyāsīs, fully engaged in studying the Vedas and Vedānta, cannot grasp the real essence of knowledge because they lack this devotional vision.
- Devotional Service as the Culmination of All Vedic Study: After thoroughly studying the Vedas and attaining understanding of the Absolute Truth, one is meant to take up devotional service — thinking always of Kṛṣṇa, becoming His devotee, worshiping Him, and offering obeisances. This is called viṣṇu-ārādhana, and it represents the true fulfillment of all Vedic learning. One who simply engages in the unilateral performance of bhakti-yoga attains all the results of Vedic study, sacrifice, austerity, and charity combined.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Labor in Vain or Path to Liberation - Studying the Vedas in the Light of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.
Subcategories
This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 3 total.
B
V
Pages in category "Studying the Vedas"
The following 132 pages are in this category, out of 132 total.
A
- A class of men, who claim brahminical qualification simply by their birthright in the family of a brahmana, claim that the study of the Vedas is a monopoly of the brahmana caste only
- A ksatriya government should engage people in performing yajna, 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
- A person who accepts the path of devotional service is not bereft of the results derived from studying the Vedas, performing austere sacrifices, giving charity or pursuing philosophical and fruitive activities. BG 8.28 - 1972
- A person who accepts the path of DS is not bereft of the results derived from studying the Vedas, performing austere sacrifices, giving charity, or pursuing philosophical and fruitive activities. At the end he reaches the supreme abode - BG 8.28
- 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
- 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
- After studying the Vedas, one must then execute devotional service by thinking always of the Supreme Lord (man-mana), becoming His devotee, worshiping Him and always offering Him obeisances. This is called visnu-aradhana
- Akrura continued, "There is no cause and effect, gross or subtle, but You (Krsna and Balarama). You are the Supreme Brahman realized through the study of the Vedas. By Your inconceivable energy, You are actually visible before us"
- All of these three classes (women, sudras and brahma-bandhu) 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
- All the above-mentioned sacrifices (study of the Vedas or philosophical doctrines, and performance of the yoga system) help one to become cleansed of the sinful reactions of material existence. BG 1972 purports
- All this (performing the Vedic ritualistic sacrifices, studying the Vedas and practicing good behavior) must first have been done
- Although the Vedas contain instructions for pursuing knowledge (jnana), for practicing mystic yoga and for engaging in karmic activities in the form of sacrifices, the ultimate purpose of the Vedas is to accept KC after thoroughly studying the Vedas
- Another section of the people take this (that the study of the Vedas is a monopoly of the brahmana caste only) as an injustice to members of other castes, who do not happen to take birth in a brahmana family. But both of them are misguided
- Any type of knowledge you want, there is in the Vedic literature. So it is meant, Veda, jnane, knowledge is meant for the human society. It is not meant for the animals. Animals cannot study Veda
- Anyone who engages in the worship of the Deity, or the form of the Lord in the temple, is understood to be studying all the Vedas twenty-four hours a day
- Aryan means advanced. So if you claim to belong to the Aryan family, then it is your duty to study Vedic literature and understand your position and make your life successful. That is Krsna consciousness
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.15) by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, the purpose of studying the Vedas is to understand Him - vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah
- As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam: What to speak of persons who are intelligent enough to study the Vedas - even less intelligent persons like women, laborers, the Huna, Sabara, and the birds and beasts can achieve the highest perfectional stage of life
B
- Because of intense affection, Nanda Maharaja could not understand Krsna as He is. Garga Muni was able to know everything, past, present and future, by studying the Vedas, but Nanda Maharaja could not understand Krsna directly
- Because the conditioned souls do not know anything beyond sense gratification, they study the Vedas to that end. Through sense regulations, however, one is gradually elevated to Krsna consciousness. BG 1972 purports
- 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 charities or similar activities can this form be seen. Only you have seen this. BG 11.48 -1972
- Brahmacaris should have no connection with women; they should live a life of celibacy and engage the mind in the study of Vedic literature for cultivation of spiritual knowledge. This is called svadhyayah. BG 1972 purports
- Brahmana means the intellectual class of men who knows hygienic rules, keeps himself always purified and engaged in studying Vedic literatures for understanding this world, God, himself, the interrelation
- 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
- By offering oblations with ghee, one satisfies the demigods. By studying the Vedas, one performs brahma-yajna, which satisfies the great sages
- 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
- By studying all the Vedas very nicely, he actually realizes what is spirit and what is his relationship with God, and then he becomes a brahmana
- 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
E
- Everyone is searching for eternal peace or eternal life and with an aim to this destination everyone is studying the Vedas or other religious scriptures or undergoing severe austerity as empiric philosophers, as mystics yogis or as unalloyed devotees
- Everyone is sleeping in the darkness of Kali-yuga, but when there is a great acarya, by his calling only, everyone takes to the study of the Vedas to acquire actual knowledge
H
- He (Akrura) considered himself as unfit for seeing Krsna as a materialistic person is for understanding the science of God or as a fourth-class person (a sudra) is for studying the Vedas
- He (the Lord) is like the vaidurya stone, which changes color yet still remains one. All those multi-forms are understood by the pure, unalloyed devotees, but not by a simple study of the Vedas: vedesu durllabham adurllabham atma-bhaktau
- He should abstain from sex life, perform austerity, be clean, study the Vedas and worship the supreme form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- However much the impersonalist may be engaged in studying the Vedanta. The fact is that impersonalists are covered by the above-mentioned three modes of material nature; therefore, they are unable to approach the transcendental Personality of the Lord
I
- If a person does not become meek and humble, all his studies of the Vedas and Puranas and his vast knowledge of the sastras are simply outward dress, like the costume of a theatrical artist dancing on the stage
- If it is a fact that by studying Vedas one has to understand Krsna, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah (BG 15.15), so Krsna is explaining Himself, what He is. So therefore it (Bhagavad-gita) is essence of Vedic knowledge
- 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
- If one has studied Veda, but has not understood Krsna, then his labor is useless
- If one has studiesVedas, the test will be whether he understands Krsna. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam (BG 15.15). If he is missing Krsna - Krsna is unknown - then all his study is useless waste of time. This is the verdict of the sastra
- If one is expert in the study of the Vedas but does not surrender to a spiritual master or Visnu, all his cultivation of knowledge is but a waste of time and labor
- If you are actually serious about becoming immortal, then you should study the Vedic literatures from India
- If you are studying Vedas, if you are Vedantist, then ultimate knowledge will depend how you have understood Krsna. If you do not understand Krsna, what is the use of your studying Vedanta and Vedas? It is useless
- If you simply study Veda, you will never be able to understand Krsna. Therefore so many so-called Vedantists, they do not know what is Krsna. They consider Krsna as ordinary human being
- In answering King Pariksit's question, Sukadeva Gosvami used the word atmane, which indicates the stage of brahminical qualification in which one is allowed to study the Vedic scriptures known as the Upanisads
- In studying the Vedas, and in partaking of the social institution called varnasrama-dharma. All of these are known as sacrifice, and all of them are based on regulated action. BG 1972 purports
- In the BG (9.20-21) Krsna states: Those who study the Vedas and drink soma juice, seeking the heavenly planets, worship Me indirectly. Purified of sinful reactions, they take birth on the pious, heavenly planet of Indra, where they enjoy godly delights
- In the Bhagavad-gita (9.20-21) Lord Krsna states: When they (those who study the Vedas) have enjoyed vast heavenly sense pleasure and the results of their pious activities are exhausted, they return to this mortal planet again
- In this age it is very difficult to follow thoroughly the regulative principles and studies of the Vedas which were formerly recommended
- It is a fact that the principle of sense gratification is the basic principle of materialistic life, and this can be realized either from reading the Vedas or simply from observing common human activities
- It is described in the Padma Purana that even a person who has never been able to give in charity, who has never been able to perform a great sacrifice, who has never been able to study the Vedas, who has never been able to worship the Lord
- It is not possible to understand Krsna simply by studying the Vedas perfectly. One must have the mercy of a devotee - yat-padam
- 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 Aryans
- It is stated in the Vedic literature that by birth everyone is born a sudra, 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 brahmana
L
- 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
- Let others study the Vedas, smrti and Mahabharata, fearing material existence, but I (Brahma) shall worship Nanda Maharaja, in whose courtyard is crawling the Supreme Brahman - Padyavali 126
- Lord Brahma said to Lord Krsna the Supreme Personality of Godhead: But those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years - SB 10.14.29
- Lord Krsna says, "Even if a nondevotee comes from a brahmana family and is expert in studying the Vedas, he is not very dear to Me (Krsna), whereas even if a sincere devotee comes from a low family of meat-eaters, he is very dear to Me"
- Lord says: All these processes - the yoga process, the sankhya process, the ritualistic process, or studying the Vedas or undergoing severe type of penance and austerities - combined together or individually, they are not suitable for achieving Me
N
- Narada Muni tells his disciple, Vyasadeva, "My dear Vyasa, 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"
- Neither through astanga-yoga, nor impersonal monism or an analytical study of the Absolute Truth, nor study of the Vedas, nor austerities, charity or acceptance of sannyasa can one satisfy Me as much as by developing unalloyed devotional service unto Me
- 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. BG 1972 purports
O
- Of the six occupational duties of the brahmanas, three are compulsory - namely, worship of the Deity, study of the Vedas and the giving of charity. In exchange, a brahmana should receive charity, and this should be his means of livelihood
- One birth is by your father and mother, and the other birth is by the spiritual master and Vedic knowledge. That is called second birth. At that time the candidate is given a chance to study and understand what is Veda
- 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
- One can perform all these, can accept bodily penances, give charity, study the Vedas, etc., but unless he is a devotee like Arjuna, it is not possible to see that universal form. BG 1972 purports
- 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
- One has to cultivate knowledge of the Absolute Truth by pursuing studies in the Vedas and undergoing severe austerities and penances
- One has to study the Vedas under the guidance of the spiritual master and undergo many austerities and penances while living under his care. BG 1972 purports
- One should study the Vedas with faith, not only for one's personal knowledge, but for the sake of spreading this knowledge and these activities through real faith in the words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the Vedas
- 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
- Our relationship with the Supreme Lord is never advanced by simple study of the Vedas - SB 4.31.11
P
- Pathana means that a brahmana must be conversant with the Vedic scriptures. He must also be able to teach others to study the Vedic literatures. This is pathana
- Practical purpose of studying Vedas, vedanti . . . That vedanti means to understand Krsna. But vedesu durlabham. At the same time, it is said, - It is very, very difficult to understand Krsna by becoming so-called Vedanti
S
- Sadhu-sanga is very essential. Sat-sanga. Otherwise . . . There is another verse in the Brahma-samhita, that vedesu durlabhah (BS 5.33). You cannot understand Krsna by studying Vedas, although Vedas means knowledge
- Sages said, "Dear Lord (Krsna), 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"
- Sankaracarya said bhaja govindam, bhaja govindam. That is real knowledge. But if one says that in the Vedas, you don't find Krsna's name, then he has not studied Veda. Because Krsna says, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam
- 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
- Study of the Vedas is not meant for the recreation of armchair speculators, but for the formation of character. After this training, the brahmacari is allowed to enter into household life and marry. BG 1972 purports
- Study the Vedas from the acarya
- Such brahmanas, ksatriyas and vaisyas, purified by their family traditions and by their behavior, should worship the Lord, study the Vedas and give charity. In this system, they should follow the principles of the four asramas
T
- The actual purpose of studying Vedas means to understand Krsna. If one has not understood Krsna, then srama eva hi kevalam (SB 1.2.8). They have simply labored for nothing
- The Blessed Lord said: Performance of sacrifice, study of the Vedas, austerity and simplicity; nonviolence, truthfulness, freedom from anger-these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature. BG 16.1-3 - 1972
- The form which 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. BG 11.53 - 1972
- 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
- The gopis in Vrndavana did not study the Vedas to achieve Me. Nor had they ever been in holy places of pilgrimage
- The impulse of a saintly person is to be engaged in the study of the Vedas, especially the Upanisadic portions
- The institution of varna and asrama prescribes many regulative duties to be observed by its followers. Such duties enjoin that a candidate willing to study the Vedas must approach a bona fide spiritual master and request acceptance as his disciple
- The Pracetas properly executed this function (studying the Vedas and performing severe austerities and penances) and consequently became equal to all other living entities
- The purpose of studying Veda means to understand Krsna. And Vedanta-vit. Because people are very much proud, especially Mayavadi philosophers, they're very much proud of becoming vedanti
- The purpose of studying Vedas is to understand Krsna. Or in other words, if anyone has understood Krsna, he has studied all the Vedas
- The purpose of studying Vedas means to understand Krsna, or God. When I speak of Krsna, you understand God. So when one understands what is God, what is Brahman, what is Krsna, what is Paramatma, then he is a Brahmana. This is the process
- The real purpose of studying the Vedas is to approach the lotus feet of Lord Krsna
- The sacred ceremony, upanayana, means he has now come nearer to understand Vedic knowledge. Then he studies Vedas, dvija
- The sacred thread is the sign of those who are competent to study the Vedas from the acarya, or the bona fide spiritual master. Sri Sukadeva Gosvami did not undergo such purificatory ceremonies because he was a liberated soul from his very birth
- The spiritual master accepts only the sincere inquirer as his disciple and gives him the sacred thread. In this way a man becomes twice-born, or a dvija. After qualifying as a dvija one may study the Vedas
- The Veda is not so cheap thing. Without becoming a brahmana, nobody can understand a Veda, what is Veda. Therefore, it is restricted. Without becoming brahmana, nobody is allowed to study Vedas
- The Vedic scriptures are nothing but the injunctions of Lord Krsna. The purpose of the study of all the Vedas is to know Krsna; therefore, the words of Krsna and the message of His pastimes are always purifying
- The word sruta in sruteksita-pathah refers to the Vedas, and iksita indicates that the way to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead is by proper study of the Vedic scriptures
- Theoretical knowledge acquired by studying the Vedas is insufficient to protect one from the clutches of maya. One must strongly adhere to the lotus feet of the Lord in devotional service. Then one's position is secure
- There are different scriptures, scripture means Vedic, the Vedas. There are four Vedas and many other also, corollaries. So by studying at home these books, that is also not possible to understand
- There are many Mayavadi sannyasis fully engaged in studying the Vedas, Vedanta-sutra and Upanisads, but unfortunately they cannot grasp the real essence of knowledge
- There are others who, enlightened by sacrificing their material possessions in severe austerities, take strict vows and practice the yoga of eightfold mysticism, and others study the Vedas for the advancement of transcendental knowledge. BG 4.28 - 1972
- There are ten prescribed methods on the path to liberation - to remain silent, not to speak to anyone, to observe vows, to amass all kinds of Vedic knowledge, to undergo austerities, to study the Vedas and other Vedic literatures
- There is no other source of understanding the soul except by studying the Vedas. In other words, the soul is inconceivable by human experimental knowledge. BG 1972 purports
- These Gosvamis were studying so many books, Vedic literature, and found out the cream, how to establish sad-dharma, not cheating dharma. Dharma means religion. Real religion, sad-dharma
- These Gosvamis, they engaged themself in studying all the different Vedic literatures. They were very expert scrutinizingly studying, and it was put in, in his Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, so many other books also. Why? Sad-dharma-samsthapakau
- They (Six Gosvamis) were very expert in scrutinizingly studying all the Vedic literatures. Nana-sastra. Sastra, not ordinary knowledge. They were also reading
- They (the Six Gosvamis) very scrutinizingly studied all the Vedic scriptures in order to establish the cult of Caitanya Mahaprabhu on the authorized principles of Vedic knowledge
- This (chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra and simply hear about the Supreme Personality of Godhead from pure devotees) is the process recommended by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and this is the purpose for studying the Vedas
- Those who speculate in order to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You, even though they continue to study the Vedas for many years
- Those who speculate to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead are unable to know You (Krsna), even though they continue studying the Vedas for many years - SB 10.14.29
- Those who study the Vedas and drink the soma juice, seeking the heavenly planets, worship Me indirectly. They take birth on the planet of Indra, where they enjoy godly delights. BG 9.20 - 1972
- To study the Vedas and understand them, of course, requires some special intelligence
- To study the Vedas means to come to the conclusion of the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead. Therefore any religious principle which denies the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead is not accepted and is called atheism
W
- We have to study authorized books and Vedas, and we have to follow their example, then Krsna consciousness or God realization is not difficult. It is very easy. There is no, I mean to say, any stumbling block on the path of your understanding what is God
- When a human being enters into the study of the Vedas to obtain vidya, knowledge, he advances to sankhya-yoga, in order to understand the supreme controller, who is indicated in Bhagavad-gita - BG 10.12
- When a human being enters into the study of the Vedas to obtain vidya, knowledge, he begins to take part in human civilization. Then he advances further to study the Upanisads and gain brahma jnana, impersonal realization of the Absolute Truth
- 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
- When he is initiated, then his studying of the Vedas . . . veda-pathad bhaved viprah. So after this dvija, second birth, he studies Vedas. And when he's well versed in Vedas he is called vipra
- When we say sudra has no right to study Vedas, that means he will not be able to understand. Just like you became lawyer, but the condition is, unless you become graduate, unless you have graduated yourself, you cannot enter law court
- Within all these activities (like controlling senses, studying the Vedas etc.), the important factor is self-realization. One who seeks that objective is the real student of Bhagavad-gita, but one who doubts the authority of Krsna falls back. BG 1972 pur