View source for Sincerity - Qualification to be Able to Understand

The science of God is often described as deep and confidential, yet Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that it is accessible to any human being who possesses little intelligence and, most importantly, sincerity. While mundane scholars with high academic degrees often find themselves unable to understand the spiritual reality, a sincere seeker who approaches the subject through the proper channel can grasp the highest truths. To be able to understand Kṛṣṇa and our relationship with Him is the special privilege of the human form of life, provided one follows the authorized process of purification and hearing.

<div class="toc-right">__TOC__</div>

=== Sincerity and Spiritual Intelligence ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only real qualification for spiritual life is the sincere desire to understand. It is not expected that everyone will be able to understand the philosophy immediately, as it is a subtle subject. However, for those who are serious, the process is simple and common sense. By accepting Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme and the ''Vedas'' as the authority, the seeker is given the chance to develop their brain to the point where they can tackle the material and spiritual energies scientifically.

* [[Vaniquotes:You will also be able to understand. It is not very difficult subject. But you must be sincere to understand. That is the only qualification required. That's all|You will also be able to understand. It is not very difficult subject. But you must be sincere to understand. That is the only qualification required. That's all.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A person who is intelligent and able to understand the philosophy of Krsna consciousness naturally gives up everything and takes to the shelter of Krsna|A person who is intelligent and able to understand the philosophy of Krsna consciousness naturally gives up everything and takes to the shelter of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It (Process of Krsna consciousness) is universal. Any human being with little intelligence, he can understand. And even he does not understand, this process is so nice that if you continue this process for a few weeks, you'll be able to understand|It (Process of Krsna consciousness) is universal. Any human being with little intelligence, he can understand. And even he does not understand, this process is so nice that if you continue this process for a few weeks, you'll be able to understand.]]

=== Necessity of Purification ===

A primary obstacle to being able to understand transcendence is a "dull brain" caused by sinful habits. Śrīla Prabhupāda specifically mentions that those involved in animal killing are unfit for understanding fine spiritual truths. The first step toward understanding is purification. By chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra'' and following the instructions of realized souls, the heart is cleansed of material contamination. Once the mind is situated in the mode of goodness, the devotee is able to understand the Lord's name, fame, and form very happily.

* [[Vaniquotes:The first prohibition is, "Stop this animal killing." Otherwise, this dull brain will not be able to understand. They are not fit for understanding. Mudha. Mudha. Na mam duskrtino mudhah|The first prohibition is, "Stop this animal killing." Otherwise, this dull brain will not be able to understand. They are not fit for understanding. Mudha. Mudha. Na mam duskrtino mudhah.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:By constant hearing of the holy name, their (persons who have no intelligence or no faith in the subject matter) hearts will be purified, and then they will be able to understand the transcendental position of the holy name|By constant hearing of the holy name, their (persons who have no intelligence or no faith in the subject matter) hearts will be purified, and then they will be able to understand the transcendental position of the holy name.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Being completely cleansed of all material contamination in this way, a devotee is able to understand very happily Your name, fame, form, activities, etc|Being completely cleansed of all material contamination in this way, a devotee is able to understand very happily Your name, fame, form, activities, etc.]]

=== Hearing Through Disciplic Succession ===

Understanding Kṛṣṇa is impossible through independent speculation or university research. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that one must be able to understand from the authorities in the ''paramparā'' (disciplic succession). Saintly ''ācāryas'' like the six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana have left literatures that act as a guide. By following in the footsteps of devotees like Kuntī or Prahlāda Mahārāja, and by seeking the grace of a bona fide spiritual master, one becomes competent to understand the high transcendental love affairs of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa.

* [[Vaniquotes:A perfect devotee is able to understand Krsna through the disciplic succession, and his entrance into the kingdom of God is thereby certainly opened|A perfect devotee is able to understand Krsna through the disciplic succession, and his entrance into the kingdom of God is thereby certainly opened.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Srila Narottama dasa Thakura sings, When shall I become very eager to study the books left by the six Gosvamis? Then I shall be able to understand the conjugal pastimes of Radha and Krsna|Srila Narottama dasa Thakura sings, When shall I become very eager to study the books left by the six Gosvamis? Then I shall be able to understand the conjugal pastimes of Radha and Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:All men should take advantage of hearing from realized souls and gradually become able to understand everything. The worship of the Supreme Lord will then undoubtedly take place. BG 1972 purports|All men should take advantage of hearing from realized souls and gradually become able to understand everything. The worship of the Supreme Lord will then undoubtedly take place.]]

=== Limits of Speculation and Bhakti-yoga ===

Even the demigods and high-thinking scientists are often unable to understand the Supreme Lord because they rely on their imperfect senses and speculation. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that while they can tackle material energy, they fail to understand the spiritual energy, often reaching the negative conclusion of impersonalism. To know Kṛṣṇa as He is, one must take to ''bhakti-yoga''. It is only through devotional service and the Lord’s own explanation that a living being can be able to understand their relationship with Him and life’s ultimate goal.

* [[Vaniquotes:If you want to know Krsna as He is, then you have to know Him through bhakti-yoga, not any other. Others, they may go on speculating for many, many millions of years. Still, they will not be able to understand|If you want to know Krsna as He is, then you have to know Him through bhakti-yoga, not any other. Others, they may go on speculating for many, many millions of years. Still, they will not be able to understand.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:O Brahma, I shall explain all these truths to you. Since you are a living being (jiva), without My explanation you will not be able to understand your relationship with Me, devotional activity and life's ultimate goal|O Brahma, I shall explain all these truths to you. Since you are a living being (jiva), without My explanation you will not be able to understand your relationship with Me, devotional activity and life's ultimate goal.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:High-thinking philosophers and scientists can tackle the material energy, but not being able to understand the spiritual energy, they can simply imagine an inactive state, such as the impersonal Brahman. This is simply the negative side of material life|High-thinking philosophers and scientists can tackle the material energy, but not being able to understand the spiritual energy, they can simply imagine an inactive state, such as the impersonal Brahman. This is simply the negative side of material life.]]

=== Conclusion ===

To be able to understand Kṛṣṇa is the highest success of human life. It is a gradual process that begins with a simple, sincere interest and matures into full realization through the practice of devotional service. As Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages, we should take advantage of the literatures like ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' and the association of saintly persons. By doing so, we will be able to understand our real position, get out of material entanglement, and eventually enter into the eternal pastimes of the Lord.

=== 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:Able To Understand|Able To Understand]]. 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 - Humility, Tolerance, and Vaiṣṇava Etiquette]]

<div id="vani-provenance" style="display:none;" data-source="Vanipedia" data-author="Srila Prabhupada Vani Temple" data-license="CC BY-NC-SA 4.0" data-origin-url="{{fullurl:{{PAGENAME}}}}">This content is a part of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani Temple. Source: https://vanipedia.org</div>