Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 1.5.22 · one of the 108 chosen verses
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesUse Knowledge to Glorify the Lord
“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.”
What the purport teaches
- The perfection of learning culminates in realizing the Supreme Being, Viṣṇu. Those truly advanced in learning should aspire to serve Him rather than use knowledge for temporary sense enjoyment.
- Art, literature, science, philosophy and all other branches of knowledge should be applied in the Lord’s service. Their real use is to establish His glories.
- The Personality of Godhead and His transcendental name, fame and glory are nondifferent. Knowledge engaged in His service is therefore hari-kīrtana, or glorification of the Lord.
Try this today
Write two sentences glorifying the Lord, using a skill or subject you enjoy.
Ask yourself
How could something you know or enjoy learning become a means of glorifying the Lord?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.