View source for Consulting Books - The Guide for Human Life

The ability to consult books of knowledge is what separates human beings from the animal kingdom. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that animals are driven solely by the propensities of eating, sleeping, mating, and defending, but a human being has the capacity to inquire about the Absolute Truth. By consulting authoritative scriptures like the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and the Bible, one can understand the greatness of God and the purpose of life.

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=== The Privilege of Human Life ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the human form of life is meant for higher inquiry. While animals cannot understand the nature of God, a human being can utilize the intelligence to consult scriptures. By referring to these books of knowledge, one can realize the omnipotence of the Lord and re-establish their lost relationship with Him.

* [[Vaniquotes:A human being, if he tries, if he consults books of knowledge just like Bible or Bhagavad-gita or similar other scriptures, he can know what is God, how great He is, how omnipotent He is, and what is our relationship with God|A human being, if he tries, if he consults books of knowledge just like Bible or Bhagavad-gita or similar other scriptures, he can know what is God, how great He is, how omnipotent He is, and what is our relationship with God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Animals, they cannot know what is God, how God is great, how God is all-powerful. But a human being, if he tries, if he consults books of knowledge just like Bible or Bhagavad-gita or similar other scriptures, he can know what is God|Animals, they cannot know what is God, how God is great, how God is all-powerful. But a human being, if he tries, if he consults books of knowledge just like Bible or Bhagavad-gita or similar other scriptures, he can know what is God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:You have never gone to the moon planet, but you learn it from the books, authorized books. Simply you have to consult authorized books, you get learned yourself|You have never gone to the moon planet, but you learn it from the books, authorized books. Simply you have to consult authorized books, you get learned yourself.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We have written a summary study of Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu entitled The Nectar of Devotion, and one may consult this book for more detailed information on the science of devotional service|We have written a summary study of Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu entitled The Nectar of Devotion, and one may consult this book for more detailed information on the science of devotional service.]]

=== The Necessity of Books in Kali-yuga ===

In previous ages, written books were not required because the memory of the students was sharp; they could remember everything simply by hearing from the spiritual master once. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that in the current Age of Kali, memory is reduced. Therefore, Śrīla Vyāsadeva compiled the Vedic literature into written form so that future generations could consult them for protection against ignorance.

* [[Vaniquotes:5000 years before, the statements of authorities, people could keep in mind without any book record. The memory was so sharp that one could keep in his memory simply by once hearing from the spiritual master. There was no need of written book to consult|5000 years before, the statements of authorities, people could keep in mind without any book record. The memory was so sharp that one could keep in his memory simply by once hearing from the spiritual master. There was no need of written book to consult.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The spiritual master delivered the Vedic hymns and their explanations to the student, who would then remember them forever, without consulting books - before the beginning of Kali-yuga|The spiritual master delivered the Vedic hymns and their explanations to the student, who would then remember them forever, without consulting books - before the beginning of Kali-yuga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If one wants to be protected from the reactions of ignorance even in this age of Kali, one may consult the books left by Srila Vyasadeva|If one wants to be protected from the reactions of ignorance even in this age of Kali, one may consult the books left by Srila Vyasadeva.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One may consult the books left by Srila Vyasadeva (for protection from reactions of ignorance), Upanisads, Vedanta-sutra (Brahma-sutra), Mahabharata, Srimad-Bhagavatam Maha-Purana (Vyasadeva's commentary on the Brahma-sutra) & the other seventeen Puranas|One may consult the books left by Srila Vyasadeva (for protection from reactions of ignorance), Upanisads, Vedanta-sutra (Brahma-sutra), Mahabharata, Srimad-Bhagavatam Maha-Purana (Vyasadeva's commentary on the Brahma-sutra) and the other seventeen Puranas.]]

=== Śāstra as the Standard Authority ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda compares the ''śāstras'' (scriptures) to standard reference books like a dictionary, an encyclopedia, or a law book. Just as one consults a postal guide to know the correct rates, one must consult the ''Vedas'' to know what is religious and what is not. Even kings and governments traditionally acted by consulting these standard books to ensure the happiness of the citizens.

* [[Vaniquotes:Just like you consult some book, doing something, just like we do every day. What is the postal rate? I do not know. This is a parcel I have to send. So at once I consult book. The direction is there, postal guide is there, and I do the right thing|Just like you consult some book, doing something, just like we do every day. What is the postal rate? I do not know. This is a parcel I have to send. So at once I consult book. The direction is there, postal guide is there, and I do the right thing.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sastra means direction - both past, present and future. Everything is there. Therefore we have to consult the Vedic literature. It is perfect. It is without any mistake, without any cheating. This is sastra|Sastra means direction - both past, present and future. Everything is there. Therefore we have to consult the Vedic literature. It is perfect. It is without any mistake, without any cheating. This is sastra.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sastra means you can consult. Just like you consult dictionary, you consult encyclopedia, you consult so many authoritative books for understanding knowledge|Sastra means you can consult. Just like you consult dictionary, you consult encyclopedia, you consult so many authoritative books for understanding knowledge.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The government can give you the law book. You consult and do accordingly, you’ll be happy. And if you don’t, against, the government man is not coming to stop you. You do, and suffer|The government can give you the law book. You consult and do accordingly, you’ll be happy. And if you don’t, against, the government man is not coming to stop you. You do, and suffer.]]

=== Assimilation and Realization ===

While consulting books is essential, Śrīla Prabhupāda warns against mechanical reliance without assimilation. He points out that if a preacher is asked a question and always has to say, "Let me consult my book," it indicates a lack of realized knowledge. True scholarship involves digesting the philosophy so that one can answer from within, while still retaining the books as the ultimate verification. Furthermore, consulting books must be done in conjunction with following the orders of the spiritual master.

* [[Vaniquotes:When somebody asks you some question, if you say: "Let me consult my book," that knowledge has no value|When somebody asks you some question, if you say: "Let me consult my book," that knowledge has no value.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should not deviate from or surpass the instructions of the spiritual master. One should not be simply intent on consulting books but should simultaneously execute the spiritual master's order|One should not deviate from or surpass the instructions of the spiritual master. One should not be simply intent on consulting books but should simultaneously execute the spiritual master's order.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If there is any difficulty to understand, we may consult persons who are in the understanding. We may consult books. We may consult authorities. That we can do because enquiry is always allowed. Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya|If there is any difficulty to understand, we may consult persons who are in the understanding. We may consult books. We may consult authorities. That we can do because enquiry is always allowed. Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because I have now given you everything you are able to answer all such questions from what you know, and if there is any difficulty you may consult my books, or you may write me if necessary|Because I have now given you everything you are able to answer all such questions from what you know, and if there is any difficulty you may consult my books, or you may write me if necessary.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Consulting the authorized books of knowledge is the compass for the human journey. Śrīla Prabhupāda has made this process easy by translating and commenting on the essential Vedic texts. By regularly consulting these books, asking questions of authorities, and applying the knowledge in daily life, one can navigate the complexities of the material world and return to the spiritual nature.

=== 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:Consulting Books|Consulting Books]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Scriptures, Śāstra and Books]]
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