Culture of Knowledge vs. Culture of Nescience

(Written on May 9, 2020)

(References: Isopanisad mantra #1 and also BG 13.8-12)

Nescience

Knowledge

Nescience: lack of knowledge or awareness, ignorance Scientists are trained in creating weapons that only cause wars between nations Young children are taught not to give respect to their elders No focus is given on God Religion is only studied for name and fame, and for understanding who is God Actually the second point for culturing knowledge is described in the purport of Iso mantra 10 and it states “One should not pose himself as a religionist simply for name and fame.” Selfishness as opposed to devotional service Students are not instructed in the regulative principles (celibacy, non-intoxication, etc.) They are not taught to have faith in the Vedic injunctions As a result of this, there is animosity, or hostility and competition in the social, political, and religious fields People become nationalists, attached to their “own” countries and always wanting more sense gratification for their own country/people/family Humility is not properly taught Hence, such people born into the culture of nescience will not be able to accept a bonafide spiritual master or any instructions on devotional service because they are filled with pride Some of the qualities of those who are in the culture of nescience are explained in BG 16.4: “Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance – these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Pṛthā.” Even though everything they do is for their own enjoyment, actually such nescient people are never to attain true happiness BG 16.23: “He who discards scriptural injunctions and acts according to his own whims attains neither perfection, nor happiness, nor the supreme destination.” While the culture of knowledge is spiritual, and is conducive to liberation, the culture of nescience leads one to repeated material bondage (BG 16.5)

In the culture of knowledge, devotional service is key There are 20 total processes given, but if one does not come to the Lord to perform devotional service, then all the other 19 points have no value BG 3.11: Mayi cānanya-yogena bhaktir avyabhicāriṇī: the process of knowledge terminates in unalloyed devotional service to the Lord One can take to devotional service first, and the other 19 points of knowledge will automatically begin to cultivate in them This is also explained in SB 5.18.12: a person devoid of devotional service has no good qualities How to perform devotional service? The requirements for pure devotional service are explained in Brs. 1.1.1: “When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Kṛṣṇa favorably, as Kṛṣṇa desires.” In the culture of knowledge, the second most important point is accepting a bonafide spiritual master The bonafide spiritual master will be able to guide the neophyte devotee in practicing devotional service so that they may become faultless By the association of the great devotees and the bonafide guru, one will be able to imbibe their holy qualities This is explained in SB 1.5.25: “Once only, by their permission, I took the remnants of their food, and by so doing all my sins were at once eradicated. Thus being engaged, I became purified in heart, and at that time the very nature of the transcendentalist became attractive to me.” This is Narada Muni talking about his association with the sages More important points about the culture of knowledge: There can be NO competition with the Lord amānitva, humility God is the ultimate goal: “Bhagavān is the last word in the realization of the Absolute Truth; therefore one should reach up to that platform of understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus engage in the devotional service of the Lord.” BG 16.5: The culture of knowledge is conducive to liberation. (All the full 20 points are explained and can be read in the BG 13.8-12).