Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 11.25.24
Ūti· What drives us to actKnowledge of Kṛṣṇa Goes Beyond Goodness
“Absolute knowledge is in the mode of goodness, knowledge based on duality is in the mode of passion, and foolish, materialistic knowledge is in the mode of ignorance. Knowledge based upon Me, however, is understood to be transcendental.”
What the purport teaches
- In goodness, one recognizes a higher spiritual nature, but this alone does not give perfect knowledge of the Absolute Truth.
- In passion, one studies material existence and speculates about reality. In ignorance, one seeks knowledge for sense gratification without a higher purpose.
- Knowledge of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is transcendental. In purified goodness, one develops a direct, loving relationship with Him through service rather than merely remaining pious.
Try this today
Read this verse again and identify one way your study can support loving service to Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
Is my learning leading me toward loving service to Kṛṣṇa, or only toward greater material understanding?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
From Canto 10, chapter 14 onward, the translation and purports were completed by Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples after his departure, and published by the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.