View source for Authorized Vedic Knowledge According to the Scriptures

Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently teaches that the foundation of a successful human life lies in strict adherence to revealed knowledge. By accepting the authority of the ''śāstra'', one bypasses the imperfections of the mind and senses, gaining access to the absolute truth regarding the nature of God, the soul, and the path of perfection.

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=== Vision of Scripture ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that true knowledge is not gained through experimental observation but by seeing through the eyes of the ''Vedas''. One who strictly follows these tenets is known as ''śāstra-cakṣuḥ'', meaning one who possesses the vision of authorized scripture.

* [[Vaniquotes:A person who acts exactly according to the tenets of scripture is called Sastra-caksus. Sastra-caksus means one who sees through the eyes of the authorized scriptures|A person who acts exactly according to the tenets of scripture is called Sastra-caksus. Sastra-caksus means one who sees through the eyes of the authorized scriptures.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As stated by Narottama dasa Thakura, sadhu-sastra-guru: one has to test all spiritual matters according to the instructions of saintly persons, scriptures and the spiritual master|As stated by Narottama dasa Thakura, sadhu-sastra-guru: one has to test all spiritual matters according to the instructions of saintly persons, scriptures and the spiritual master.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Advaita Acarya replied, "My dear Haridasa, do not be afraid. I shall behave strictly according to the principles of the revealed scriptures"|Advaita Acarya replied, "My dear Haridasa, do not be afraid. I shall behave strictly according to the principles of the revealed scriptures."]]

=== Qualifications of the Spiritual Master ===

A bona fide ''guru'' does not invent their own philosophy but speaks solely on the authority of the standard texts. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that any teacher who fails to speak according to the revealed scriptures acts without authority and must be rejected.

* [[Vaniquotes:The actual center is the sastra, the revealed scripture. If a spiritual master does not speak according to the revealed scripture, he is not to be accepted. Similarly, if a saintly person does not speak according to the sastra, he is not a saintly person|The actual center is the sastra, the revealed scripture. If a spiritual master does not speak according to the revealed scripture, he is not to be accepted. Similarly, if a saintly person does not speak according to the sastra, he is not a saintly person.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to revealed scriptures, a teacher or spiritual master is liable to be rejected if he proves himself unworthy of the position of a guru or spiritual master|According to revealed scriptures, a teacher or spiritual master is liable to be rejected if he proves himself unworthy of the position of a guru or spiritual master.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:There are missionary workers who advocate that one can do whatever he likes & attain perfection. But these foolish guides are not acting according to the direction of the scripture. They are manufacturing ways and misleading people in general. BG 1972 p|There are missionary workers who advocate that one can do whatever he likes & attain perfection. But these foolish guides are not acting according to the direction of the scripture. They are manufacturing ways and misleading people in general.]]

=== Evidence of Divinity ===

The identity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not a matter of public opinion but is confirmed by Vedic evidence. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that Lord Kṛṣṇa and His incarnations, such as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, are accepted based on specific descriptions found in the ''śāstras''.

* [[Vaniquotes:According to the evidence of the revealed scriptures, a bodily limb (anga) is also called a part (amsa), and a part of a limb is called a partial part (upanga)|According to the evidence of the revealed scriptures, a bodily limb (anga) is also called a part (amsa), and a part of a limb is called a partial part (upanga).]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to Vedic scripture, He (Krsna) expands first as Baladeva, Baladeva expands as Sankarsana, Sankarsana expands as Narayana, and Narayana expands as Visnu. These are Vedic statements. We can understand that Krsna is the original Visnu, Syamasundara|According to Vedic scripture, He (Krsna) expands first as Baladeva, Baladeva expands as Sankarsana, Sankarsana expands as Narayana, and Narayana expands as Visnu. These are Vedic statements. We can understand that Krsna is the original Visnu, Syamasundara.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The King said, "According to evidence given in the revealed scriptures, it is concluded that Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord Krsna Himself. Why, then, are learned scholars sometimes indifferent to Him"|The King said, "According to evidence given in the revealed scriptures, it is concluded that Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Lord Krsna Himself. Why, then, are learned scholars sometimes indifferent to Him."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sri Caitanya was God Himself according to the indication of the revealed scriptures, but He played the part of a devotee. People who knew Him to be God addressed Him as God, but He used to block His ears with His hands and chant the name of Lord Visnu|Sri Caitanya was God Himself according to the indication of the revealed scriptures, but He played the part of a devotee. People who knew Him to be God addressed Him as God, but He used to block His ears with His hands and chant the name of Lord Visnu.]]

=== Regulated Devotional Service ===

For those who have not yet developed spontaneous love for God, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the path of ''vaidhī-bhakti''. This process involves engaging in service strictly according to scriptural injunctions to purify the heart and elevate the devotee.

* [[Vaniquotes:According to the revealed scriptures, this kind of devotional service is called vaidhi bhakti|According to the revealed scriptures, this kind of devotional service is called vaidhi bhakti.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Devotional service executed under the guidance of the spiritual master and according to scriptural injunctions is called vaidhi-bhakti, a part of sadhana-bhakti, or devotional service in practice|Devotional service executed under the guidance of the spiritual master and according to scriptural injunctions is called vaidhi-bhakti, a part of sadhana-bhakti, or devotional service in practice.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Only by sincerely engaging in the service of the Lord according to the injunctions of scripture can one gradually become a qualified devotee of the Lord, and it does not matter whether it takes many repetitions of birth and death, life after life|Only by sincerely engaging in the service of the Lord according to the injunctions of scripture can one gradually become a qualified devotee of the Lord, and it does not matter whether it takes many repetitions of birth and death, life after life.]]

=== Lifestyle and Social Order ===

Scripture governs every aspect of civilized life, including diet, marriage, and charity. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that modern suffering arises from neglecting these regulations, such as the prohibition against over-accumulation and the mandate for a vegetarian diet.

* [[Vaniquotes:According to Vedic life and according to all Vedic scriptures, a man should live on fruits and vegetables, for his teeth are made in such a way that these can be very easily eaten and digested|According to Vedic life and according to all Vedic scriptures, a man should live on fruits and vegetables, for his teeth are made in such a way that these can be very easily eaten and digested.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to scriptures, this collecting of more than necessary (atyahara) is prohibited. Now the entire world is suffering because of it|According to scriptures, this collecting of more than necessary (atyahara) is prohibited. Now the entire world is suffering because of it.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One who does not give charity according to the injunctions of the scriptures and one who does not accept charity in that way are considered to be in the mode of ignorance. Such persons follow the path of the foolish. Surely they must lament at the end|One who does not give charity according to the injunctions of the scriptures and one who does not accept charity in that way are considered to be in the mode of ignorance. Such persons follow the path of the foolish. Surely they must lament at the end.]]

=== Soul and Evolution ===

Contrary to modern biological theories, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents the Vedic perspective on evolution and the nature of the self. The scriptures reveal that the living entity is the eternal owner of the body, passing through different forms until reaching the human stage.

* [[Vaniquotes:The evolution is accepted in the Vedic literature but not like Darwin's. The evolution, according to Vedic scripture, is that the living entity is different from the body, and the living entity is passing through many forms of body|The evolution is accepted in the Vedic literature but not like Darwin's. The evolution, according to Vedic scripture, is that the living entity is different from the body, and the living entity is passing through many forms of body.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:According to the Vedic scriptures, within the body is the owner of the body, the soul|According to the Vedic scriptures, within the body is the owner of the body, the soul.]]

=== Conclusion ===

In summary, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that the authorized path to spiritual perfection is rigorously defined by the scriptures. Whether one is seeking to understand the identity of God, the qualifications of a ''guru'', or the proper conduct of daily life, one must abandon mental speculation and accept the final authority of the ''Vedas''. It is only by acting according to these revealed injunctions that one can purify their existence and attain the ultimate goal of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

=== 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:According_to_the_Scriptures|According to the Scriptures]]. 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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