ancient_paztriot Posted July 13, 2004 Report Share Posted July 13, 2004 I think devotees have something in common with the Christians… They feel they are entitled. The Christians want to believe they are saved just by believing. The devotees also, feel they have status just by knowing. But that's not really the way things are. Bg 3.32 But those who, out of envy, disregard these teachings and do not practice them regularly, are to be considered bereft of all knowledge, befooled, and doomed to ignorance and bondage. PURPORT The flaw of not being Krsna conscious is clearly stated herein. As there is punishment for disobedience to the order of the supreme executive head, so there is certainly punishment for the disobedience of the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A disobedient person, however great he may be, is ignorant of his own self, of the Supreme Brahman, and Paramatma and the Personality of Godhead, due to a vacant heart. Therefore there is no hope of perfection of life for him. Bg 3.33 Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows his nature. What can repression accomplish? PURPORT Unless one is situated on the transcendental platform of Krsna consciousness, he cannot get free from the influence of the modes of material nature, as it is confirmed by the Lord in the Seventh Chapter (7.14). Therefore, even for the most highly educated person on the mundane plane, it is impossible to get out of the entanglement of maya simply by theoretical knowledge, or by separating the soul from the body. There are many so-called spiritualists who outwardly pose to be advanced in the science, but inwardly or privately are completely under the particular modes of nature which they are unable to surpass. Academically, one may be very learned, but because of his long association with material nature, he is in bondage. Krsna consciousness helps one to get out of the material entanglement, even though one may be engaged in his prescribed duties. Therefore, without being fully in Krsna consciousness, no one should suddenly give up his prescribed duties and become a so-called yogi or transcendentalist artificially. It is better to be situated in one’s position and to try to attain Krsna consciousness under superior training. Thus one may be freed from the clutches of maya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gHari Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 Yes, we are all too eager to steal Krsna's glory for ourselves. Some even become satisfied with the cult - looking the part, having all the moves, talking the talk, walking the walk. Change of heart, surrender, Krsna lie deeper than some feel a need to go, a depth that some fear to go. Maybe it's enough to just sing the song, change your name, live the lie, but eventually that sweet Lord will own you. Unless we are pure devotees there will be some degree of superficiality left in our being, but we should not fear because Sri Krsna is hard at work helping us with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 14, 2004 Report Share Posted July 14, 2004 This difference between knowing and realization is very important. Just knowing still leaves us safely from Krsna's presence, which as gHari pointed, out we fear. Better to keep Him at a certain distance and as a subtle object of our desire for exploitation. That gap is fright to contemplate crossing. There is no way back. A bridge of faith...? I think devotees have something in common with the Christians… They feel they are entitled. The Christians want to believe they are saved just by believing. The devotees also, feel they have status just by knowing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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