epistemology and hermeneutics

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There may be many great devotees but not all may be so expert as to discern

the inner subtleties of sastric understanding. In this regard, please see CC

Antya Ch. 15 for a description of how most of Lord Caitanya's internal

associates did not recognize the Mayavada of a poet from Bengal. Only

Svarupa Damodara could find the fault. From this pastime, enacted under the

yogamaya potency of the Lord, we learn that maya may deviously present

herself as bhakti, and that only certain devotees are empowered to deeply

understand and present the siddhantas and refute apa-siddhantas.

 

In the absence of empowered devotees such as Svarup Damodara, sincere,

learned devotees who are earnest to ascertain the Lord's will should discuss

and pray to the Lord for guidance. They should also draw up philosophical

guidelines on how philosophy is to be understood. Otherwise we end up with

the wrangling we are now so much accustomed to.