Guest guest Posted April 25, 2002 Report Share Posted April 25, 2002 ============================================================= This article has been sent to you by Ram Chandran ( rchandran ) ============================================================= Source: The Hindu (http://www.hinduonnet.com/2002/04/26/stories/2002042602070800.htm) Miscellaneous - Religion Knowledge, highest level of devotion CHENNAI APRIL 26 .. The Bhagavad Gita comprises 18 chapters and these are classified into three sections of six chapters each for purpose of interpretation. In the philosophical tradition these three sections are explained as an elaboration of the three subjects dealt with in Vedanta nature of the soul, the Supreme Reality and the relation between the two. The rationale of such a classification by Veda Vyasa can be appreciated when perusing the Gita as the topics logically lead from one to the next as in any philosophical enquiry. The first section thus helps man in knowing his nature at the outset. One may get a doubt why the spiritual aspirant must then gain knowledge of God. The Supreme Reality is unknown as far as the spiritual aspirant is concerned and his devotion to God rests on belief and faith in the scriptural teachings. Even in worldly life it can be seen that it is not possible to love anything without knowledge about it. It is true in human relationships also. As devotion i! s unconditional love of God, one must know God to develop love for Him. Devotion eventually matures into knowledge of the Reality. In her discourse, Swamini Satyavratananda Saraswati said if a person were devoted to God without knowing His nature the very foundation of his devotion would be shaky. It is easier to conceive God with form than His formless aspect. Arjuna in fact raised the following doubt to Lord Krishna, "There are ever-steadfast devotees who love and worship You as the Divine Person; there are again others who contemplate on You as the impersonal unmanifest which of these has a greater understanding of Yoga?" This question amounts to asking which kind of devotion is superior devotion to a form of God or devotion to the formless Reality. The Lord elaborated at length on the five stages of devotion implying that they cannot be compared without pointing out to Arjuna that his question was wrong. It is not possible to compare two dissimilar entities. While devotion to God is certainly superior, Lord Krishna declared that the man of wisdom (Jnani) was His very Self. The point He stresses here is that devotion has to culminate in wisdom. The consequence of this is that devotion to God will be incomplete if it does not mature into knowledge of the Supreme Reality. This understanding requires intellectual honesty on the part of the spiritual aspirant whenever he tries to ascertain his level of spiritual evolution. Copyright: 1995 - 2002 The Hindu Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the consent of The Hindu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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