View source for Characteristics of One Who Is Actually Intelligent

The concept of intelligence, as defined by Śrīla Prabhupāda, is strictly spiritual rather than material. While modern society may honor those with academic degrees or financial success, the Vedic perspective reveals that one is actually intelligent only when they question the nature of their existence and seek the Absolute Truth. This article explores the qualities of the truly intelligent person, who looks beyond the temporary body to find their eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa.

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=== Recognizing the Ultimate Source ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the culmination of intelligence is to understand the origin of all causes. While many may speculate for lifetimes, the person who is actually intelligent realizes that Vāsudeva (Kṛṣṇa) is everything and surrenders to Him without hesitation.

* [[Vaniquotes:After many, many births of sincere inquiry, when he is actually intelligent, he will see, "Oh, vasudevah sarvam iti (BG 7.19). Here is Vasudeva. He is everything." That is stated|After many, many births of sincere inquiry, when he is actually intelligent, he will see, "Oh, vasudevah sarvam iti (BG 7.19). Here is Vasudeva. He is everything." That is stated.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:After many, many births, one who is actually advanced in intelligence surrenders unto the Supreme Lord|After many, many births, one who is actually advanced in intelligence surrenders unto the Supreme Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the origin of everything. Everything is emanating from Him. When one understands this fact, he becomes budha, or intelligent. And when one is actually intelligent, budha, bhava-samanvitah|The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the origin of everything. Everything is emanating from Him. When one understands this fact, he becomes budha, or intelligent. And when one is actually intelligent, budha, bhava-samanvitah.]]

=== Vital Inquiry: Why Am I Suffering? ===

Real intelligence begins with dissatisfaction regarding the material condition. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that an intelligent person does not blindly accept birth, death, old age, and disease, but questions why the eternal soul is subjected to such miserable conditions.

* [[Vaniquotes:When actually one becomes intelligent, then the enquiry is: "Why? Why I am put into this miserable condition of life? I do not want this, and it is forced upon me. I do not want to die; death is there. I do not want disease; the disease is there"|When actually one becomes intelligent, then the enquiry is: "Why? Why I am put into this miserable condition of life? I do not want this, and it is forced upon me. I do not want to die; death is there. I do not want disease; the disease is there."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The question is that "If I am eternal, why there are so many miserable condition of life? And why I am forced to die?" So this is actually the intelligent question|The question is that "If I am eternal, why there are so many miserable condition of life? And why I am forced to die?" So this is actually the intelligent question.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In this way, everyone is thinking that he is very happy, although he is in a horrible and fearsome condition. However, one who is actually intelligent can understand that he is not actually happy, that he is suffering|In this way, everyone is thinking that he is very happy, although he is in a horrible and fearsome condition. However, one who is actually intelligent can understand that he is not actually happy, that he is suffering.]]

=== Engaging in the Process of Bhakti-yoga ===

Intelligence is not merely theoretical; it is demonstrated through action. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the most intelligent course of action for anyone—whether full of desires or seeking liberation—is to engage in the service of the Lord, particularly through the chanting of the holy names.

* [[Vaniquotes:One who is actually very intelligent must join the Krsna consciousness movement, realizing his own self as an eternal servant of Krsna, and thus practice constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord - Hare Krsna|One who is actually very intelligent must join the Krsna consciousness movement, realizing his own self as an eternal servant of Krsna, and thus practice constant chanting of the holy name of the Lord - Hare Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Only an animal can give up the practice of chanting Hare Krsna. Those who are not animals but actually intelligent, advanced, human, civilized men cannot give up this practice of continually chanting Hare Krsna|Only an animal can give up the practice of chanting Hare Krsna. Those who are not animals but actually intelligent, advanced, human, civilized men cannot give up this practice of continually chanting Hare Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One who is actually intelligent, although he may be a devotee free from material desires, a karmi desiring all kinds of material facilities, or a jnani desiring liberation, should seriously engage in bhakti-yoga for the satisfaction of the S P of God|One who is actually intelligent, although he may be a devotee free from material desires, a karmi desiring all kinds of material facilities, or a jnani desiring liberation, should seriously engage in bhakti-yoga for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]

=== Perceiving Reality Beyond Illusion ===

A person who is actually intelligent possesses the vision to see the spiritual cause behind material manifestations. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that while the less intelligent see nature working automatically, the wise see the hand of God and the presence of the soul.

* [[Vaniquotes:Less intelligent men think that plants and grass grow out of the earth automatically, but one who is actually intelligent and has realized the self can see that this growth is not automatic|Less intelligent men think that plants and grass grow out of the earth automatically, but one who is actually intelligent and has realized the self can see that this growth is not automatic.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Mayavadi philosophers cannot understand these two prakrtis, or natures - material and spiritual - but one who is actually intelligent can understand them|The Mayavadi philosophers cannot understand these two prakrtis, or natures - material and spiritual - but one who is actually intelligent can understand them.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One who is actually intelligent will refrain from the flickering sensual enjoyment of this material body and fix his enjoyment in spiritual life. His participation in spiritual life with the Supreme Lord is called rasa-lila|One who is actually intelligent will refrain from the flickering sensual enjoyment of this material body and fix his enjoyment in spiritual life. His participation in spiritual life with the Supreme Lord is called rasa-lila.]]

=== Conclusion ===

To be actually intelligent is to awaken from the slumber of material illusion. Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently teaches that this intelligence is not measured by earthly accolades but by one's determination to end the cycle of birth and death. By inquiring into the nature of the self, recognizing Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Source, and engaging in ''saṅkīrtana'', one utilizes the human form of life for its highest purpose. As stated in the ''śāstras'', those who possess this fine intelligence worship the Lord through the chanting of His holy names.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Actually Intelligent|Actually Intelligent]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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