What is knowledge? And what is real education? Some thoughts:
SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
Transcendental knowledge is the most important. It is received through disciplic succession, from anyone who knows the science of Krsna, and combined with the blessings of guru and Krishna, it gives many benefits such as spiritual power, true self-esteem, greater happiness, freedom, and protection from exploitation. It destroys ignorance and material attachment, the root of all suffering, and alleviates all anxieties. It cannot be stolen or lost, and it increases when given to others. It gives self realization, or the understanding of our true position as Krishna's eternal loving servant, which culminates in a loving relationship with the Lord (Bg 4.10).
LORD KRSNA DESCRIBES REAL KNOWLEDGE
In Bhagavad gita 13.8-12 Lord Krsna states the symptoms of actual knowledge and says that "besides this, whatever there may be is ignorance":
humility
pridelessness
nonviolence
tolerance
simplicity
approaching a bona fide spiritual master
cleanliness
steadiness
self-control
renunciation of the objects of sense gratification
absence of false ego
the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease
nonattachment to children, wife, home and the rest
even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events
constant and unalloyed devotion to Krsna
resorting to solitary places
detachment from the general mass of people
accepting the importance of self-realization
philosophical search for the Absolute Truth
MATERIAL KNOWLEDGE
This type of knowledge is based on the material body, it does not get beyond eating, sleeping, sex life and defense. It has no lasting value. It cannot save us from the threefold miseries of material existence- from repeated birth and death.
It is understood that in the process of seeking the Absolute Truth, truth can be found everywhere, mundane literature included, by searching for it. Yet, for one who has found the Absolute Truth, Lord Krsna, all such literature suddenly becomes a big distraction of maya, an annoyance, a waste of precious time. Mundane knowledge without relation to Krsna’s service increases our ignorance because it distracts or leads us away from Krsna. Such ignorance translates into anxiety.
Furthermore, the heart must be receptive to good instruction. There are so many books that teach children good behavior, have some moral, and so on, but unless the heart is first cleansed, there is no lasting attraction for this, no attraction for goodness.. Morality remains artificial or self serving without proper purification of heart.
UTILITY IS THE PRINCIPLE
Sri Isopanisad 11 says:
"Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessing of immortality."
Any knowledge not connected to Krsna’s service is dry and useless. It is like having so many zeroes. But if you have zeroes and put a one in front of them- that one being Krsna -thus utilizing everything for His service, then the zeroes have value.
So one who already has so much academic training, he can "fight fire with fire" as the saying goes. Dhrstadyumna, for example, utilized the expert military arrangements he learned from Dronacarya, who was on the enemy's side.
Then there is the story about a snake and a mouse. The snake did not eat the mouse until after the mouse did all the work of gnawing a hole through a hunter's bag in which both the snake and mouse were held captive. Similarly, while utilizing material knowledge gained for Krsna’s service, we can ultimately defeat materialistic society.
Srila Prabhupada cites also the story of the lame man being carried by the blind man. Modern civilization may act as the vehicle to carry forward the Krsna consciousness movement. For example, thanks to modern communication such as computers and cameras, Krsna consciousness is spreading rapidly.
Thus we learn about the world for the sake of preaching, and we may gain practical, useful knowledge to utilize in Krsna’s service.
Furthermore, one should know how to study and how to learn. Good study habits enhance the pleasure of studying Srila Prabhupada's books which in turn gives motivation to do so.
BALANCE
Time is short, therefore one does not want to waste time studying unnecessary things or studying excessively. There is the pitfall of becoming an information addict. The Internet, for example, is like a bottomless pit of information, and it is the nature of material consciousness to always want to hear something new or novel. The mode of passion is greedy and never satiated.
For balance, study should be regulated and we must be alert to select the most important learning - especially the books given by Srila Prabhupada. Canakya Pandita wrote:
“Shastric knowledge is unlimited , the arts to be learned are many; the time we have is short and our opportunities to learn are beset with obstacles. Therefore select for learning that which is most important, just as the swan drinks only the milk in the water.”
In other words, take time out to read and study Srila Prabhupada's books everyday. You can do this by both private study and reading aloud with family at meal times, story time, and bed time, too.
"It is understood that one must be very fortunate to hear krishna-kathä as seriously as Mahäräja Pariksit did. He was especially intent on the subject matter because he was expecting death at any moment. Every one of us should be conscious of death at every moment. This life is not at all assured; at any time one can die. It does not matter whether one is a young man or an old man. So before death takes place, we must be fully Krishna conscious."
MORE GOOD QUOTES:
“There are different types of knowledge. We are interested in ordinary knowledge for economic benefit, but that is not actual knowledge. That is the art of livelihood. One may study to be an electrician and earn his livelihood by repairing electric lines. This kind of knowledge is called silpa jnana. Real knowledge, however, is Vedic knowledge, knowing oneself, what one is and what God is and understanding one’s relationship with God, and one’s duty.”-SB 3.25.8 lecture, 11/8/74, Bombay
“Human life is meant for achieving knowledge and vairagya.”--Bg 13.5 lecture, 9/28/73, Bombay
"However great one may be in the estimation of mundane education and learning, he cannot be free from the influence of psychic activities. Therefore it is very difficult to give up lust and the desires for low activities until one is in the line of devotional service to the Lord. -SB 3.12.26p
" When there is burden on your head, and the burden is taken away you feel relieved, similarly, this ignorance that 'I am this body' is a great burden, a burden upon us. So when you get out of this burden, then you feel relieved. Brahma-bhütah prasannätmä [Bg. 18.54]. Means when actually one understands that 'I am not this body; I am soul,'...so he gets relief that 'Why I am working so hard for this lump of material things? Let me execute my real necessity of life, spiritual life.' That is great relief. That is great relief. Brahma-bhütah prasannätmä na socati na känksati [Bg. 18.54]. The relief means there is hankering, no more lamentation"--Bg 2.25, 8/28/73, London
“Education means to become human being.” --SB 6.1.56-57, 8/14/75, Bombay
mätr-vat para-däresu
para-dravyesu lostra-vat
ätma-vat sarva-bhütesu
yah pasyati sa panditäh
"The educated man sees another's wife as his mother and another's property as untouchable garbage, and he sees all others as equal to himself.
"That is taught by Cänakya Pandita. Mätr-vat para-däresu. Woman should be addressed as “mother.” And para-dravyesu lostra-vat: and others’ property should be accepted as some pebbles on the street—nobody cares for it. If some pebbles, some stones, are thrown on the street, nobody cares for it. Garbage. So nobody should touch others’ property. Nowadays the education is how to make friendship with others’ wife and how to take away others’ money by tricks. This is not education.” --SB 6.1.56-57 lecture, 8/14/75, Bombay
"Our gurukula means how to teach them to become self-controlled. That is first business. This literary education secondary, grammar secondary... If one has to rise early in the morning, attend the mangala-ärati, sitting in the class and reading Bhagavad-gitä, chanting Hare Krishna... There is no need of examination. If he is doing, then it is examination passed."- Room conversation, 1/5/, Bombay
"These children who are here, even imitation, it will not go in vain. Krishna is so kind..... Although they are innocent children, but when they’re offering obeisances to Rädhä-Mädhava it is of value...It is going to their credit... Some may think that these boys are brought here and their life is being spoiled. They are not being educated in the modern way, they’re simply chanting, dancing and offering, but that is the real education... the devotional service. ....They are being first-class educated, these boys... simply by chanting and dance." --SB 7.9.5 lecture, 2/12/76, Mayapur
"'The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brähmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater.' That is a learned man. Not this degree-holder. A degree-holder who has no tapasya and no character—Krishna says he is mäyayäpahrta-jnänä, 'his knowledge is stolen by illusion.' Although he has learned so many things, nonetheless, mäyä has taken away his (real) knowledge. He's a rascal. He's an animal. This is the perspective of Vedic civilization." -6/28/76, Vrndavana
“If you learn science or philosophy you have to approach some person who knows the science…but the greatest scientist, the greatest philosopher is Krsna. He’s within your heart…And He says…’Anyone who is sincere devotee…I give him education, intelligence. I make him scientist, philosopher.’…What kind of science?…spiritual science 'I teach Him personally.'” (Bg10/10)--lecture CC Adi lila 1-05, Mayapur 3/29/75
"Krishna began this teaching to Arjuna first of all.... 'You are talking like learned scholar, but you are lamenting on the body, which is not at all important.' ... Do not be very much serious about this body. The soul is the subject matter to be considered. But the modern civilization, they are concerned with this body. Just the opposite." Bg 2.25 lecture, 8/28/73, London
“The modern education, they think this body is everything.” Bg 1.28-29 lecture,7/22/73, London
Out of madness they frankly say that there is no need for self-realization because they do not realize that this brief life is but a moment on our great journey towards self-realization. The whole system of education is geared to sense gratification, and if a learned man thinks it over, he sees that the children of this age are being intentionally sent to the slaughterhouses of so-called education. SB 1.1.22p
“Don’t be disturbed that 'My child is not being educated.' What is this education? This education, this bodily concept of life, it is not education. That 'I am this body,' 'I am Indian,' 'I am American,'... 'I am white,' 'I am black.' This education, the whole world this education is going on, nationalism. In the name of nationalism, communism, socialism. They are all bodily concept of life. That is not education. That education is useless, because this kind of education will not stop the process of birth, death, old age and disease. They may be technical education, temporary, some bodily comfort, but this is not taken as education.”--SB 7.9.5 lecture, 2/12/76, Mayapur
“If one does not understand what is God, his education is useless. It has no meaning. What is that education? Will that education save him from death? Then what is the value of his education? Your real problem is birth, death, old age, and disease. Can this material education stop it? “ morning walk, 5/23/75, Mayapur
"Academic knowledge, scholarship, high position, etc., are all useless in solving the problems of life; help can be given only by a spiritual master like Krishna.." --Bg 2.8p
“So far geography and history are concerned, you may teach geography as it is, there is no harm to getting knowledge about our material earth planet, even up to learning all of the countries and places, names, landscape, production, natural resources, climates, oceans, deserts, everything should be there. Krsna Consciousness devotees shall not be known as fools. All of you nice boys and girls have had that kind of education, and you are preaching now Krsna consciousness in its pure form, so there is no hindrance for learning such things, just as you have also learned them as child. So teach them in this way, exactly as you have also been taught geography, history and other things.” --letter to Dinatarini 1/4/73
SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE
Transcendental knowledge is the most important. It is received through disciplic succession, from anyone who knows the science of Krsna, and combined with the blessings of guru and Krishna, it gives many benefits such as spiritual power, true self-esteem, greater happiness, freedom, and protection from exploitation. It destroys ignorance and material attachment, the root of all suffering, and alleviates all anxieties. It cannot be stolen or lost, and it increases when given to others. It gives self realization, or the understanding of our true position as Krishna's eternal loving servant, which culminates in a loving relationship with the Lord (Bg 4.10).
LORD KRSNA DESCRIBES REAL KNOWLEDGE
In Bhagavad gita 13.8-12 Lord Krsna states the symptoms of actual knowledge and says that "besides this, whatever there may be is ignorance":
humility
pridelessness
nonviolence
tolerance
simplicity
approaching a bona fide spiritual master
cleanliness
steadiness
self-control
renunciation of the objects of sense gratification
absence of false ego
the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease
nonattachment to children, wife, home and the rest
even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events
constant and unalloyed devotion to Krsna
resorting to solitary places
detachment from the general mass of people
accepting the importance of self-realization
philosophical search for the Absolute Truth
MATERIAL KNOWLEDGE
This type of knowledge is based on the material body, it does not get beyond eating, sleeping, sex life and defense. It has no lasting value. It cannot save us from the threefold miseries of material existence- from repeated birth and death.
It is understood that in the process of seeking the Absolute Truth, truth can be found everywhere, mundane literature included, by searching for it. Yet, for one who has found the Absolute Truth, Lord Krsna, all such literature suddenly becomes a big distraction of maya, an annoyance, a waste of precious time. Mundane knowledge without relation to Krsna’s service increases our ignorance because it distracts or leads us away from Krsna. Such ignorance translates into anxiety.
Furthermore, the heart must be receptive to good instruction. There are so many books that teach children good behavior, have some moral, and so on, but unless the heart is first cleansed, there is no lasting attraction for this, no attraction for goodness.. Morality remains artificial or self serving without proper purification of heart.
UTILITY IS THE PRINCIPLE
Sri Isopanisad 11 says:
"Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessing of immortality."
Any knowledge not connected to Krsna’s service is dry and useless. It is like having so many zeroes. But if you have zeroes and put a one in front of them- that one being Krsna -thus utilizing everything for His service, then the zeroes have value.
So one who already has so much academic training, he can "fight fire with fire" as the saying goes. Dhrstadyumna, for example, utilized the expert military arrangements he learned from Dronacarya, who was on the enemy's side.
Then there is the story about a snake and a mouse. The snake did not eat the mouse until after the mouse did all the work of gnawing a hole through a hunter's bag in which both the snake and mouse were held captive. Similarly, while utilizing material knowledge gained for Krsna’s service, we can ultimately defeat materialistic society.
Srila Prabhupada cites also the story of the lame man being carried by the blind man. Modern civilization may act as the vehicle to carry forward the Krsna consciousness movement. For example, thanks to modern communication such as computers and cameras, Krsna consciousness is spreading rapidly.
Thus we learn about the world for the sake of preaching, and we may gain practical, useful knowledge to utilize in Krsna’s service.
Furthermore, one should know how to study and how to learn. Good study habits enhance the pleasure of studying Srila Prabhupada's books which in turn gives motivation to do so.
BALANCE
Time is short, therefore one does not want to waste time studying unnecessary things or studying excessively. There is the pitfall of becoming an information addict. The Internet, for example, is like a bottomless pit of information, and it is the nature of material consciousness to always want to hear something new or novel. The mode of passion is greedy and never satiated.
For balance, study should be regulated and we must be alert to select the most important learning - especially the books given by Srila Prabhupada. Canakya Pandita wrote:
“Shastric knowledge is unlimited , the arts to be learned are many; the time we have is short and our opportunities to learn are beset with obstacles. Therefore select for learning that which is most important, just as the swan drinks only the milk in the water.”
In other words, take time out to read and study Srila Prabhupada's books everyday. You can do this by both private study and reading aloud with family at meal times, story time, and bed time, too.
"It is understood that one must be very fortunate to hear krishna-kathä as seriously as Mahäräja Pariksit did. He was especially intent on the subject matter because he was expecting death at any moment. Every one of us should be conscious of death at every moment. This life is not at all assured; at any time one can die. It does not matter whether one is a young man or an old man. So before death takes place, we must be fully Krishna conscious."
MORE GOOD QUOTES:
“There are different types of knowledge. We are interested in ordinary knowledge for economic benefit, but that is not actual knowledge. That is the art of livelihood. One may study to be an electrician and earn his livelihood by repairing electric lines. This kind of knowledge is called silpa jnana. Real knowledge, however, is Vedic knowledge, knowing oneself, what one is and what God is and understanding one’s relationship with God, and one’s duty.”-SB 3.25.8 lecture, 11/8/74, Bombay
“Human life is meant for achieving knowledge and vairagya.”--Bg 13.5 lecture, 9/28/73, Bombay
"However great one may be in the estimation of mundane education and learning, he cannot be free from the influence of psychic activities. Therefore it is very difficult to give up lust and the desires for low activities until one is in the line of devotional service to the Lord. -SB 3.12.26p
" When there is burden on your head, and the burden is taken away you feel relieved, similarly, this ignorance that 'I am this body' is a great burden, a burden upon us. So when you get out of this burden, then you feel relieved. Brahma-bhütah prasannätmä [Bg. 18.54]. Means when actually one understands that 'I am not this body; I am soul,'...so he gets relief that 'Why I am working so hard for this lump of material things? Let me execute my real necessity of life, spiritual life.' That is great relief. That is great relief. Brahma-bhütah prasannätmä na socati na känksati [Bg. 18.54]. The relief means there is hankering, no more lamentation"--Bg 2.25, 8/28/73, London
“Education means to become human being.” --SB 6.1.56-57, 8/14/75, Bombay
mätr-vat para-däresu
para-dravyesu lostra-vat
ätma-vat sarva-bhütesu
yah pasyati sa panditäh
"The educated man sees another's wife as his mother and another's property as untouchable garbage, and he sees all others as equal to himself.
"That is taught by Cänakya Pandita. Mätr-vat para-däresu. Woman should be addressed as “mother.” And para-dravyesu lostra-vat: and others’ property should be accepted as some pebbles on the street—nobody cares for it. If some pebbles, some stones, are thrown on the street, nobody cares for it. Garbage. So nobody should touch others’ property. Nowadays the education is how to make friendship with others’ wife and how to take away others’ money by tricks. This is not education.” --SB 6.1.56-57 lecture, 8/14/75, Bombay
"Our gurukula means how to teach them to become self-controlled. That is first business. This literary education secondary, grammar secondary... If one has to rise early in the morning, attend the mangala-ärati, sitting in the class and reading Bhagavad-gitä, chanting Hare Krishna... There is no need of examination. If he is doing, then it is examination passed."- Room conversation, 1/5/, Bombay
"These children who are here, even imitation, it will not go in vain. Krishna is so kind..... Although they are innocent children, but when they’re offering obeisances to Rädhä-Mädhava it is of value...It is going to their credit... Some may think that these boys are brought here and their life is being spoiled. They are not being educated in the modern way, they’re simply chanting, dancing and offering, but that is the real education... the devotional service. ....They are being first-class educated, these boys... simply by chanting and dance." --SB 7.9.5 lecture, 2/12/76, Mayapur
"'The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brähmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater.' That is a learned man. Not this degree-holder. A degree-holder who has no tapasya and no character—Krishna says he is mäyayäpahrta-jnänä, 'his knowledge is stolen by illusion.' Although he has learned so many things, nonetheless, mäyä has taken away his (real) knowledge. He's a rascal. He's an animal. This is the perspective of Vedic civilization." -6/28/76, Vrndavana
“If you learn science or philosophy you have to approach some person who knows the science…but the greatest scientist, the greatest philosopher is Krsna. He’s within your heart…And He says…’Anyone who is sincere devotee…I give him education, intelligence. I make him scientist, philosopher.’…What kind of science?…spiritual science 'I teach Him personally.'” (Bg10/10)--lecture CC Adi lila 1-05, Mayapur 3/29/75
"Krishna began this teaching to Arjuna first of all.... 'You are talking like learned scholar, but you are lamenting on the body, which is not at all important.' ... Do not be very much serious about this body. The soul is the subject matter to be considered. But the modern civilization, they are concerned with this body. Just the opposite." Bg 2.25 lecture, 8/28/73, London
“The modern education, they think this body is everything.” Bg 1.28-29 lecture,7/22/73, London
Out of madness they frankly say that there is no need for self-realization because they do not realize that this brief life is but a moment on our great journey towards self-realization. The whole system of education is geared to sense gratification, and if a learned man thinks it over, he sees that the children of this age are being intentionally sent to the slaughterhouses of so-called education. SB 1.1.22p
“Don’t be disturbed that 'My child is not being educated.' What is this education? This education, this bodily concept of life, it is not education. That 'I am this body,' 'I am Indian,' 'I am American,'... 'I am white,' 'I am black.' This education, the whole world this education is going on, nationalism. In the name of nationalism, communism, socialism. They are all bodily concept of life. That is not education. That education is useless, because this kind of education will not stop the process of birth, death, old age and disease. They may be technical education, temporary, some bodily comfort, but this is not taken as education.”--SB 7.9.5 lecture, 2/12/76, Mayapur
“If one does not understand what is God, his education is useless. It has no meaning. What is that education? Will that education save him from death? Then what is the value of his education? Your real problem is birth, death, old age, and disease. Can this material education stop it? “ morning walk, 5/23/75, Mayapur
"Academic knowledge, scholarship, high position, etc., are all useless in solving the problems of life; help can be given only by a spiritual master like Krishna.." --Bg 2.8p
“So far geography and history are concerned, you may teach geography as it is, there is no harm to getting knowledge about our material earth planet, even up to learning all of the countries and places, names, landscape, production, natural resources, climates, oceans, deserts, everything should be there. Krsna Consciousness devotees shall not be known as fools. All of you nice boys and girls have had that kind of education, and you are preaching now Krsna consciousness in its pure form, so there is no hindrance for learning such things, just as you have also learned them as child. So teach them in this way, exactly as you have also been taught geography, history and other things.” --letter to Dinatarini 1/4/73
