Transcendental Nectar of Sadhu-Sanga

This is our response to this message in the e-group.

Dear Professor S.C. Panigrahi:

Thank you for your interesting comments. Certainly the recognition of existence of God is the finest intelligence and Srimad Bhagavad-gita[1] (here on referred to as BG) also confirms the same. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna says in BG 7.19 [2]

bahunam janmanam ante

jnanavan mam prapadyate

vasudevah sarvam iti

sa mahatma su-durlabhah

Translation: After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.

He who recognizes Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna as the cause of all causes is a very advanced soul. However, we have to understand Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna as He is. Otherwise we may be carried away by our own misconceptions about Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna. In this connection Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna Himself says in BG 7.3 [3]

manusyanam sahasresu

kascid yatati siddhaye

yatatam api siddhanam

kascin mam vetti tattvatah

Translation: Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth.

Your acceptance of existence of God is quite encouraging and much appreciated. But there is more careful study is needed to understand the subject matter of God properly. You have mentioned that "Even if the scientists feel they can create life from matter, it is still the scientist who is a part of GOD taking help of matter which is a part of GOD creates or feels that he creates life which is again a manifestation of GOD. So there is no scope of confusion." There is no doubt in it that God is the source of everything but that doesn't mean that there is no distinction between matter, spirit and God. In BG 7.4[4] Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna says

bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh

kham mano buddhir eva ca

ahankara itiyam me

bhinna prakrtir astadha

Translation: Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego--all together these eight comprise My separated material energies.

Again in the very next verse BG 7.5[5] it is mentioned that

apareyam itas tv anyam

prakrtim viddhi me param

jiva-bhutam maha-baho

yayedam dharyate jagat

Translation: Besides this inferior nature, O mighty-armed Arjuna, there is a superior energy of Mine, which are all living entities who are struggling with material nature and are sustaining the universe.

In the purport of this verse Srila A. C. Bhaktivdeanta Swami Prabhupada explains that, "Here it is clearly mentioned that living entities belong to the superior nature (or energy) of the Supreme Lord. The inferior energy is matter manifested in different elements, namely earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego. Both forms of material nature, namely gross (earth, etc.) and subtle (mind, etc.), are products of the inferior energy. The living entities, who are exploiting these inferior energies for different purposes, are the superior energy of the Supreme Lord, and it is due to this energy that the entire material world functions. The cosmic manifestation has no power to act unless it is moved by the superior energy, the living entity. Energies are always controlled by the energetic, and therefore living entities are always controlled by the Lord--they have no independent existence. They are never equally powerful, as unintelligent men think. The distinction between the living entities and the Lord is described in Srimad-Bhagavatam as follows (10.87.30):[6]

aparimita dhruvas tanu-bhrto yadi sarva-gatas

tarhi na sasyateti niyamo dhruva netaratha

ajani ca yan-mayam tad avimucya niyantr bhavet

samam anujanatam yad amatam mata-dustataya

"O Supreme Eternal! If the embodied living entities were eternal and all-pervading like You, then they would not be under Your control. But if the living entities are accepted as minute energies of Your Lordship, then they are at once subject to Your supreme control. Therefore real liberation entails surrender by the living entities to Your control, and that surrender will make them happy. In that constitutional position only can they be controllers. Therefore, men with limited knowledge who advocate the monistic theory that God and the living entities are equal in all respects are actually misleading themselves and others."

The Supreme Lord Krishna is the only controller, and all living entities are controlled by Him. These living entities are His superior energy because the quality of their existence is one and the same with the Supreme, but they are never equal to the Lord in quantity of power. While exploiting the gross and subtle inferior energy (matter), the superior energy (the living entity) forgets his real spiritual mind and intelligence. This forgetfulness is due to the influence of matter upon the living entity. But when the living entity becomes free from the influence of the illusory material energy, he attains the stage called mukti, or liberation. The false ego, under the influence of material illusion, thinks, "I am matter, and material acquisitions are mine." His actual position is realized when he is liberated from all material ideas, including the conception of his becoming one in all respects with God. Therefore one may conclude that the Gita confirms the living entity to be only one of the multi-energies of Krishna; and when this energy is freed from material contamination, it becomes fully Krishna conscious, or liberated."

We need a careful study about the process that we are employing to gain knowledge. The ways of receiving knowledge, which comes under theory of epistemology, is another imperative topic for which modern science has no conclusive idea at all. Most of the scientists experienced that when they keep on deeply meditating in finding the solution to a particular research problem, all of a sudden some brilliant ideas come to their mind. But none of those scientists were able to find the source from where these ideas are coming as well as what are the means to get continuous connection to that source of knowledge. However, in Vedic literature this subject matter is described in great details.

We have discussed before in our post entitled "raja-vidya - King of Education" (see http://mahaprabhu.net/sadhusanga/blog1.php/2009/11/30/king-of-education ) that according to BG, the knowledge about difference between the matter and living entity is the most secret of all secrets. To unlock this most confidential knowledge, a detailed scientific process of gaining knowledge is elaborated in the Vedic literatures. Since ages many stalwart scientists and philosophers such as Socrates, Erwin Schrödinger, Oppenheimer, and Albert Einstein have been inspired by the knowledge available in the revealed scriptures or Vedic literature. Oppenheimer exclaimed from the BG after the explosion of the atom bomb, "Time I am, the great destroyer." Knowledge according to Vedic literature is of two types: apara-vidya (scientific knowledge obtained through sense perception) and para-vidya (scientific knowledge beyond sense perception.) In BG 7.2[7], it is mentioned that, jnanam te 'ham sa-vijnanam idam vaksyamy asesatah yaj jnatva neha bhuyo 'nyaj jnatavyam avasisyate. The meaning of this verse is that, "I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge both phenomenal and noumenal, by knowing which there shall remain nothing further to be known."

Hence, Vedic literatures have accepted the importance of both types of knowledge (knowledge based on sense perception, apara-vidya and knowledge beyond sense perception, para-vidya.) The fundamental process adapted by modern science to gain knowledge is mostly based on, an empirical logic based experimentation, observations and inferences. In Vedic literature this process is called aroha-pantha or jnana marga, ascending path/process or the bottom-up process. But this process has its own limitations. Hence to gain knowledge beyond senses or para-vidya, another process of receiving knowledge is elaborated in Vedic literatures, which is known as avaroha-pantha, descending process or top-down approach. In this top-down approach of gaining knowledge, the knowledge seeker must follow a scientific process to get connected to the chain of descending knowledge. A detailed scientific explanation given by Srila Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Maharaja (Dr. T. D. Singh) on the top-down process of gaining knowledge can be found in Savijnanam: Scientific Exploration for a Spiritual Paradigm.[8]

Furthermore, in BG 4.34[9] also it is mentioned that "tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya upadeksyanti te jnanam jnaninas tattva-darsinah." "Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth." After reading this explanation from BG immediately the question that may arise is, who, a spiritual master or Sri Guru is and how to find such a spiritual master or Sri Guru. This topic Sri Guru is a very detailed and profound subject matter, and a thorough explanation on this topic can be found in Sri Guru and His Grace[10] by Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaja. Srila Bhakti Raksak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaja says in the introduction "To err is human. To err is inevitable for all, being not perfect. Still, no one wants to remain imperfect. There is an element within all that is animate that tends towards perfection. If it were not so, we would feel no want at all. Our tendency towards perfection is certainly very weak and limited; otherwise we could attain the goal at once. Our limited capacity and tendency for perfection makes room for the guide or guru." By Sri Guru's help a sincere seeker of knowledge finds connection to the chain of descending knowledge.

Srila Bhakti Sundar Govinda Dev-Goswami Maharaja also says in the book Divine Guidance[11], "Our soul is now covered by illusion: we are attracted by the Chaya-sakti, the shadow-power of Krishna, therefore we now live far from that transcendental world. But when Krishna will bestow His mercy upon our head, Maya will remove the illusion from us and we will be able to see the transcendental Dham and we shall also be able to serve there.

The Maya-Sakti is very heavy for us because we are very tiny souls. She is always attracting us through her illusion. In one way, it is for our rectification, no doubt, but it is not a happy position for the conditioned souls. However, we will get relief from this environment if we try to know our position, and what is Krishna consciousness. If we do this, then by the mercy of Krishna and His devotee we will get strength to come out from the illusory environment, and, when we try, Krishna will help us.

That assistance comes to us through His devotees. Everything comes through the proper channel. Sometimes direct mercy comes from the upper level, but normally, or generally, it comes through the established proper channel:

sadhu-sastra-krpaya yadi krsnonmukha haya

sei jiva nistare, maya tahare chadaya

Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 20.120[12]

The mercy of the sadhu and Guru takes us to the transcendental level. When we can stand firm in our position there, then Mayadevi will leave us. It is necessary to try to preach this type of conception. As much as we have it ourselves, we are to distribute this clear vision and give it to others. Everywhere there is some possibility, from the lowest level up to the highest; everyone can try to give some good to others. Actually our only life's goal is Krishna consciousness, and it is coming through sadhu, Guru and Vaisnava. It comes from their mercy through our sincere activity of service to them."

Even though the Vedic knowledge (knowledge beyond senses or para-vidya) is available to us as revealed scriptures still, Vedic scriptures cannot be grasped by any intellectual or logical accomplishments, i.e., by aroha-pantha or bottom-up process of gaining knowledge. In other words, even though many Vedic scholars gifted us the Vedic knowledge in the form of many scriptures still to comprehend the real knowledge provided by Vedic scriptures one needs the help of Sri Guru. In the entire history mankind has witnessed that without following the top-down approach of gaining knowledge no one could able to grasp the Vedic knowledge. The key to unlock the most confidential knowledge (knowledge about the difference between the life and matter) is to follow exactly the scientific method described in the top-down process of gaining knowledge. Hence the top-down process of gaining knowledge must be included in the mainstream studies of modern science to make our knowledge complete and all inclusive.

We are organizing 1 hour online Science/Spirituality classes under the holy association of Sripad Bhakti Madhava Puri Maharaja, Ph.D. The timings are as follow:

1. Science/Spirituality Class: Every Sunday at 6:30 PM India Time = Sunday at 8.00 AM NYT (November-March) and 9.00 AM NYT (March-October).

2. Srimad Bhagavatam Class: Every Tuesday at 9 PM NYT = Wednesday at 6:30 AM India Time (November-March) and 7:30 AM India Time (March-October).

3. Sri Caitanya Caritamrta Class: Every Thursdays at 9 PM NYT = Friday at 6:30 AM India Time (November-March) and 7:30 AM India Time (March-October).

To join online class you should have Skype in your PC. If you don't have Skype in your PC, you can download it from http://www.skype.com . Skype is free to use. You can create an account in Skype. Once you login to your account in Skype please add our Skype ID sushen_das. If you stay online during the class time we will connect you to the Skype conference call.

If you need help, please contact us and we will try to assist you with this.

Thanking you.

Sincerely,

Sushen Krishna das

Mob: +91-9748906907

References

[1] Bhaktivedanta, A. C. (1972) Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Published by the BBT press. Refer: http://www.asitis.com

[2] Ibid., verses 7.19. Refer: http://www.asitis.com/7/19.html

[3] Ibid., verses 7.3. Refer: http://www.asitis.com/7/3.html

[4] Ibid., Verse 7.4. Refer: http://www.asitis.com/7/4.html

[5] Ibid., Verse 7.5. Refer: http://www.asitis.com/7/5.html

[6] Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.87.30. Refer: http://vedabase.net/sb/10/87/30

[7] Bhaktivedanta, A. C. (1972) Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Verse 7.2 Published by the BBT press. Refer: http://www.asitis.com/7/2.html

[8] Singh, T. D. (2005) Savijnanam: Scientific Exploration for a Spiritual Paradigm. Volume 3 and 4. Refer: http://www.binstitute.org/index.php?pr=Book_Store

[9] Bhaktivedanta, A. C. (1972) Bhagavad Gita As It Is. Verse 4.34 Published by the BBT press. Refer: http://www.asitis.com/4/34.html

[10] Sridhar, B. R. (1983) Sri Guru and His Grace. Published by Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Kolerganj, P.O. Box Nabadwip, Dist. Nadia, W. Bengal Pin 741302, India (see http://scsmath.com/books/Sri_Guru_and_His_Grace.pdf ).

[11] Govinda B. S. (2004) Divine Guidance. Ananta Printing & PublishingSoquel, California. Published by Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math, Kolerganj, P.O. Box Nabadwip, Dist. Nadia, W. Bengal Pin 741302, India. Refer: http://scsmathnj.com/media/CSM_PDF/divineguidanceSGM.pdf

[12] Sri Caitanya Caritamrita Madhya 20.120. Refer: http://vedabase.net/cc/madhya/20/120