Once a famous scholar and great pandit named Keshav Kashmiri came to Mayapur. He was digvijay, He would travel all over the country and defeat various scholars and they had to sign a statement accepting their defeat. He was extremely proud of his scholarship. One day he happen to walk along Ganga and met Nimai pandit.
Nimai said something very profound. He said “A great person is like a tree which is filled with fruits”. A fruit laden tree bows down similarly a person with good qualities bows down to everyone. He offers all respects to others and doesn’t expect anything for himself.
Nimai then requested Keshav Kashmiri to compose poetry in glorification of Mother Ganga. Keshan Kashmiri immediately composed 100 original Sanskrit verses in glorification of mother Ganga. Everyone was spell bound. Nimai then asked him to explain the good qualities and faults in his poetry. Keshav Kashmiri said that there could be no faults in my poetry. Then Nimai pointed out some faults in his poetry. Upon hearing this Keshav Kashmiri was speechless. Nimai defeated him but He maintained his dignity in front of everyone else.
“Knowledge itself is only of value, if it helps us to develop the qualities of a pure devotee, otherwise kn”owledge is a disturbance.
Same night he had a dream and mother Saraswati revealed to him that Nimai is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Next morning Keshav Kashmiri went to Nimai and surrendered himself at His lotus feet. Lord explained that, “Knowledge itself is only of value, if it helps us to develop the qualities of a pure devotee, otherwise knowledge is a disturbance.”
– Radhanath Swami
Imp point to note: “Nimai defeated him but He maintained his dignity in front of everyone else.”
Lord teaches by example that in any situation, we should not be disrespectful to anyone.
Thank you Radhanath Swami for bringing out such lessons for us !!!
The divine way to defeat, its only by the Supreme!!!
Wonderful quote “Knowledge itself is only of value, if it helps us to develop the qualities of a pure devotee, otherwise kn”owledge is a disturbance.
Beautiful pastimes of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu
Yes really amazing pastime of the Lord.
Very instructive story…..Thanks Swamiji
Knowledge itself is only of value, if it helps us to develop the qualities of a pure devotee, otherwise knowledge is a disturbance – wonderful lines.
Really true—knowledge holds value if it develops qualities of a pure devotee…thats the reason we are keep on hearing /seeing instance that highly educated people in the society commits heinous acts and disturb the whole society…
Two points strike me in this article.
1. A fruit ladden tree is always bent. Similarly a man who actual knowledge is humble.
2. Knowledge of matter however high and rewarding in this material world it may be is useless unless it leads one to pure devotion to the Sumpreme Lord and compassion for all livingbeings of thsi world.
Thank you very much! Please keep up the good work that you are doing by publishing many more such articles by HH Radhanath Swami.
Humility is the supreme weapon to defeat anyone without causing any pain, and Radhanath Swami wields it as an expert.
Radhanath Swami points out beautifully about what real knowledge is all about. Thank you for sharing.
Maharaj quotes Lord Chaitanya’s explanation “Knowledge itself is only of value, if it helps us to develop the qualities of a pure devotee, otherwise knowledge is a disturbance.”
This we can practically see in today’s world. What kind of qualities develop by the knowledge provided by the universities across the world? 🙁 A question to be deeply contemplated on……..!
Such an important lesson – “Knowledge itself is only of value, if it helps us to develop the qualities of a pure devotee, otherwise knowledge is a disturbance.” Thank you HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj for wonderful article.
Wonderful story by Radhanath Swami. Lord is so great that even though He wanted to crush the false pride of Keshava Kashmiri, He did it wonderfully without hurting him. Lord always tries to make His devotees free from false pride, but He does in such a way that everyone takes it with pleasure and respect.
This piece reflects the real meaning and importance of knowledge. Like everything else knowledge has it’s purpose of existence. Beautiful painting along with description of Nimai’s Humility and Intelligence.
“Knowledge itself is only of value, if it helps us to develop the qualities of a pure devotee, otherwise knowledge is a disturbance” This is such a valuable statement. We can always judge our knowledge against this statement.
beautifully explained the meaning of real knowledge .
It’s very easy to be proud of our knowledge and deride others. It’s only great souls who can defeat others respectfully others without humiliating them.
I love this teaching by Lord Chaitanya. Even if one is in the position of being able to correct others, we should do it with utmost respect for them. Radhanath Swami often emphasizes on this.
Very nice explanation. Knowledge is either for sense gratification or for self realization. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
In the same discourse Radhanath Swami says that because The Lord defeated Keshava Kashmiri without harming his dignity. Thus Keshava Kashmiri could understand that Lord Caitanya must be none other than the supreme personality of Godhead.!
Very beautiful message was hidden in this amazing pastime of Lord Chaitanya….A tree with fruits is always bowing down …Similalry a human with knowledge is always humble and is never proud of his achievements. The purpose of attaining knowledge is explained beautifully in this pastime.
Radhanath Swami Maharaj has explained a nice pastime of Lord and good lesson on humility.
Haribol!