Cultivation of these qualities is the real method of acquiring knowledge
PLEASE NOTE — Some points of the purport are covered in the ‘Focus of Learning’ section below and the remaining points are covered in the table thereafter
a‘Less intelligent’ understand this process as ‘interaction of the field of activity’, but this is ‘the real process of knowledge’ (first line of purport) – This means that:
Acquisition of knowledge involves proper bodily and mental behavior and therefore one may wrongly deem it as a parcel of field of activity. (kshetra)
However since these perfect actions liberates jiva from body, we do not count them as part and parcel of bodily activities.
bMost important quality is described in Bg. 13.11 — “mayi ca ananya-yogena…”
Process of knowledge terminates in “unalloyed devotional service to the Lord”
If one takes to full Krishna consciousness, all the other mentioned qualities are automatically developed (Ref. SB 5.18.12)
cEssential quality — Accepting spiritual master, even for one who takes to devotional service
dIgnorance — Anything speculated beyond these items of knowledge is nonsense
eHow to test one’s progress — Judge by qualities like humilty and pridelessness, etc.
fWhy discuss the miseries of material life, like birth, old-age disease etc
Unless we have a pessimistic view of material life, there is no impetus for making spiritual advancement
gBest process to make home life pleasant — Krishna consciousness (especially four things)
Discussions on Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam
hBe convinced that “I am subordinate”
‘’Humility’’ is the beginning of knowledge
Anyone who wants to compete with God and still advance, will be frustrated SUMMARIZED THEME 13A TWENTY ITEMS OF KNOWLEDGE (13.8 – 13.12) S. NO QUALITY DEFINITION 1 Humility • Not to be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others 2 Pridelessness • Not to be anxious to be famous for one’s religion and entering into a group not actually following principles and wanting to advertise as a religious mentor 3 Non-violence • Not to put others into distress
Unless one elevates one to spiritual knowledge, one is practicing violence
Try your best to distribute real knowledge 4 Tolerance • Be practiced to bear insult and dishonor from others e.g. Prahlada Maharaja 5 Simplicity • So straightforward that you can disclose the real truth even to an enemy
Without diplomacy 6 Accepting a spiritual • Approach spiritual master with all humility and offer all master services
If he bestows blessings, that will make it easier to follow all the regulative principles and one immediately advances 7 Cleanliness • Bathing (external) and chanting (internal) 8 Steadiness • Determined to make progress in spiritual life 9 Self-control • Reject anything unfavorable to spiritual advancement 10 Renunciation of sense • Not cater to unnecessary demands objects • Cater the demands only to keep body fit for devotional service
How to control – Engage by a systematic regulation especially chanting Hare Krishna and Prasadam 11 Absence of false ego • Reject: “I am this body, mind etc”
Accept: I am a servant of Krishna 12 Perception of evils of birth, • Must regularly hear about these topics from the proper death, disease, old-age source 13 Detachment • Be ready to sacrifice everything for Krishna 14 No entanglement with • Affection is natural wife, children, etc • Renounce if not favorable for spiritual advancement e.g. Arjuna is asked to renounce family connections 15 Even mindedness • Not elated or distressed at material gain or loss
Possible by performing unbreakable devotional service 16 Unalloyed devotional • Engage in nine processes of bhakti service (Ananya-bhakti) 17 Aspiring to live in a solitary • Not desiring to mix with materialistic men place • Living in the association of devotees 18 Detachment from general • Not desiring to mix with materialistic men masses • Living in the association of devotees TWENTY ITEMS OF KNOWLEDGE (13.8 – 13.12) continued… S. NO QUALITY DEFINITION 19 Accepting the importance • Give up unnecessary sporting, cinema going, social activities of self-realisation and such wastage of time 20 Philosophical search for the • Rejection of useless research of philosophical topics like sex Absolute Truth life etc.
Research into the nature of soul by philosophical discretion