Question: The depth and width of spiritual topics is unlimited, and at times confusing. It is easier to engage in service because these are everyday acts that we are accustomed to that are simply being directed to Krishna…
For example, the basic act of cooking & eating is transformed to process of Bhoga/Prasadam…there is no additional effort
However, to remember shlokas etc. seems strenuous, especially with undisciplined minds occupied with other matters…or forgetfulness that comes with aging.
Is it OK to understand the basic philosophy, its essence, and engage in seva or is it also necessary to gain more & more knowledge?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Srila Prabhupada has given us a complete package- chanting, hearing/reading, and service. All these activities support each other.
When we chant, it is our humble prayer to the internal potency of the Lord to keep us engaged in Krishna’s service.
Reading Srila Prabhupada’s books daily helps to remind us of the mood in which we should render devotional service. If we just keep doing service, due to our conditioning there is a risk of developing the consciousness of being the doer and expecting credit and or recognition for the services we have rendered to Krishna. That spoils the purpose and mood of our services.
The purpose of spiritual knowledge is to bring us closer to Krishna. Knowledge guides us to cultivate proper consciousness while doing practical services.
Spiritual knowledge directs us to satisfy the desires of Krishna through practical engagements in His loving service. Without practical application, theoretical knowledge is of little value.
One may not have the inclination to dive very deep into the commentaries of our previous acaryas. But we should never give up or stop reading Srila Prabhupada’s books daily, thinking I know the philosophy and that is enough for me.
Below are some of the excerpts where Srila Prabhupada is mentioning that along with service, one should read his books very carefully and attentively everyday:
Morning Walk — December 12, 1973, Los Angeles:
Without preaching, without understanding philosophy, you cannot keep your strength. Everyone should be thoroughly well-conversed with the philosophy which we are putting… That means you must read thoroughly every day. So many books we have got. And Bhagavata is so perfect that any verse you read, you get a new enlightenment.
Letter to Nrsimha dasa — Bombay 4 January 1975: Please be very strict in following all the rules and regulations as well as chanting at least 16 good rounds daily and reading all my books thoroughly.
Letter to Bhargava — Los Angeles 13 June, 1972: “Our advancement in Krishna Consciousness is made possible in two ways, by Knowledge and renunciation, jnana and tyaga or tapasya. The more we become renounced from this material world, the more we advance in Krishna Consciousness. But we are only able to make such sacrifices and perform tapasya if we have got knowledge. So, first thing is to become knowledgeable in Krishna Consciousness, then the tapasya or voluntary life of austerity will result automatically. So, I am requesting all of my students to read my books very seriously every day without fail. In this way, if your mind becomes absorbed at least one or two hours daily in the transcendental subject matter of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and other books then very easily you will make your advancement in Krishna Consciousness”.
One of your concerns is not being able to memorize or remember slokas. For some individuals, it may be difficult to memorize or remember slokas. Repetition and recitation are key to remembering. This can develop over time. The most important thing is to just read – memory can be refined later and in fact reading Srila Prabhupada’s books will naturally help with that.
Reading Srila Prabhupada’s books is a journey, a process. It takes time to work on the heart and mind to create transformation. The reason we read is to transform our hearts rather than just to gather information.
Srila Prabhupada’s books are his personal exchange with us, and Srila Prabhupada is present through his instructions in his books. We are getting direct association of Srila Prabhupada through his books. Srila Prabhupada painstakingly made so much effort to leave his books for us, so that they serve as the guiding light in our spiritual journey.
So even if we find some aspect of the philosophy difficult to understand, we should not give up. When we keep reading it multiple times, slowly we will be able to understand
