Is it worthwhile discussing Darwin's Theory?

[Guest guest]

Dear bhagavatas,

 

This is something I have been contemplating for a while and

feel it is a worthwhile topic for discussion. In fact, this topic is

quite relevant given the current discussion of mundane topics

such as Darwin's theory of evolution. I wrote to Sri. Krishna

Kalale about this and he gave me some feedback. I submit this

refined outline, of my (current and partial) understanding, for

feedback. Note I will continue with the posts on elements of

Vis'isTadvaita Vedanta this weekend.

 

Knowledge (dharmabhUta-jNAna) is a substance (dravya)

that inheres in the Jiva as an attribute. This knowledge

(dharmabhUta-jNAna), being substance, is subject to

modification due to Karama (for Jiva's subject to karma.)

These modifications bring about different states of knowledge.

Knowledge can be implicitly classified into two broad

categories, mainly spiritual and mundane. Spiritual knowledge

is that which is required to experience the bliss of Brahman.

Mundane knowledge is that which is not required for

experiencing the bliss of Brahman.

 

Given this, a mukthA is one who has fully expanded

Dharma-Bhuta-Jnana in what sense?

 

-For the mukhA, knowledge is in a state such that the bliss of

Brahman can be experienced in its fullest form.

 

Then in what sense is a muktA omniscient or all knowing?

-If we think of the Brahmajnanam (knowledge required to

enjoy the bliss of Brahman in the fullest form) as a

subset (a particular state) of the universal set of knowledge,

then there are infinitely many subsets (states) consisting of

Brahmajnanam plus some other extraneous knowledge; a

muktA, by using its will, can modify the dharma-bhuta jnana

to take on any one of these states. .

 

A Baddha jivAtman, who aspires for moksha, should cultivate

Brahmajnanam, for that alone helps to develop the conviction

required for unconditional surrender to Brahman. Extraneous

(mundane) knowledge is only helpful in the sense that it aids

in the cultivation of Brahmajnanam.

 

Should this not be the sense in which extraneous knowledge

(or mundane knowledge) is viewed?

 

Given the above, how is Darwin's theory relevant to an

aspirant of mokshA, who's prarabdha karma is such that he

or she is in a field that does not involve the study of Darwin's

theory ?

 

Please note, I am not trying to argue that mundane

knowledge is totally useless; I am merely arguing that it is

only useful in the sense that it may help in the cultivation of

Brahmajnanam.

 

Adiyen,

Venkat