Radhanath Swami on Purpose of Knowledge

Nimai and kesava kashmiri

Not only is our philosophy meant to defend against opposing philosophies that come from other people in the world but knowledge is meant to conquer the anartha of false ego, which is with in our heart.

Lord Caitanya not only defeated the mayavadi scholars at Varanasi but also transformed their hearts. Lord established that, the very foundational basis of real knowledge is our character, is the qualities that we possess. And the foundational characteristics of a Vaisnava is simplicity, humility, forgiveness, tolerance, and a very sincere eagerness to serve the Lord, to serve the devotees, to serve people in general, to serve all living beings, and to chant the holy names.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare

Hare Räma Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare

“Real knowledge is to understand that I am the servant of the servant of the Lord and to always chant the holy names in that spirit.”

Kesava Kasmiri told Lord Caitanya that, “I can understand that You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead because You completely destroyed my pride without even embarrassing me in front of everyone else.” Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, “Real knowledge is to understand that I am the servant of the servant of the Lord and to always chant the holy names in that spirit.” By the mercy of Lord Caitanya, he had attained perfection of knowledge which is surrender to the Supreme Lord.

bahünäà janmanäm ante jïänavän mäà prapadyate

väsudevaù sarvam iti sa mahätmä su-durlabhaù

After many births of cultivating knowledge, one finally comes to that point of perfection of surrendering to Krishna knowing that He is the cause of all causes and all that is.

“What is the use if you have so much knowledge if you cannot even cooperate with other devotees. Cooperation takes forgiveness, takes tolerance, takes respectfulness, but it pleases Guru and pleases Krishna”.

What is the use if you have so much knowledge if you cannot even cooperate with other devotees. Cooperation takes forgiveness, takes tolerance, takes respectfulness, but it pleases Guru and pleases Krishna. Whatever knowledge, whatever austerities, we perform, if we are not cooperating, that is so displeasing to Guru and Krishna. That is factually undoing all the things you are trying to develop. From a spiritual perspective, all your austerities, Krishna doesn’t care about them, Guru doesn’t care about your austerities, he doesn’t care about your knowledge, if you can’t cooperate with other devotees. The foundation of bhakti is good character. Prabhupada said in one interview, that philosophy has little or no value if it does not produce good character.

– Radhanath Swami

Nimai and Keshava Kashmiri

21 comments

  1. Very Nice article explaining the purpose of rela knowledge is to know that we are servant of servant of Lord

  2. The crux of the whole philosophy is explained very well through this article. Prabhupada always wanted his disciples and generations to come ahead to develop a good character and cooperate among each other. Thank you for sharing the purpose of knowledge.

  3. Whatever knowledge, whatever austerities, we perform, if we are not cooperating, that is so displeasing to Guru and Krishna.

    This is an eye-opening statement by Radhanath Swami.

  4. Vedic life was based on character building and service in the mood of surrender to the spiritual master and Lord Krishna. Today’s society is suffering just because we don’t have value-based or character-based education. Thank you very much Radhanath Swami for this nice article!

  5. The best lesson of all lessons for a devotee who is serious in advancing. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.

  6. Nice article by HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj that clearly explains purpose of knowledge, importance of cooperation and character.

  7. The foundation of bhakti is good character.What a perfect statement by Radhanath Swami.

  8. Thanks Radhanath swmai for reveling us the foundational characteristics of a Vaisnava is simplicity, humility, forgiveness, tolerance, and a very sincere eagerness to serve the Lord, to serve the devotees, to serve people in general, to serve all living beings, and to chant the holy names.

  9. Thank you HH Radhanath Swami. character is the basis and knowledge is to transform once character.

  10. That’s a striking information. Thanks to HH Radhanath Swami for removing the viels of ignorance and showing the light to me.

  11. while we are always engaged in gathering more and more information and knowlegde, we should carefully remember the goal of it. Even in spiritual life only knowledge gathering wont help until it transforms our heart. Thanks to Radhanath Swami for explaining us the same.

  12. Wonderful article .Thank you so much HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj Ji for the nectar.

  13. Knowledge is meant to conquer the anartha of false ego, which is with in our heart – Wonderful definition of what real knowledge is.

  14. very foundational basis of real knowledge is our character, is the qualities that we possess.. This is a very important statement by Radhnath Swamil

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