View source for Studying the Laws of Nature and the Supreme Lawmaker

The cosmic manifestation is governed by incredibly subtle and precise natural laws. While modern society places great prestige on scientists and philosophers who dedicate their lives to studying these physical phenomena, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out a fatal flaw in their approach. Men with a poor fund of knowledge become so absorbed in observing the mechanics of the universe that they completely ignore or deny the supreme intelligence behind it. The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness represents the ultimate synthesis of knowledge: it is the science of understanding not only how the intricate laws of nature work, but discovering and surrendering to the Supreme Personality of Godhead who directs them.

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=== The Defect of Modern Science ===
Materialistic scientists are fascinated by the constant changes within the material world, yet their education remains fundamentally incomplete because they fail to ask the most important question: who made the law?

* [[Vaniquotes:The present situation is the so-called modern civilization, they have no knowledge of God, although they are trying to study the laws of God|The present situation is the so-called modern civilization, they have no knowledge of God, although they are trying to study the laws of God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:So-called modern civilization, they have no knowledge of God, although they are trying to study the laws of God. But they should accept at least theoretically there must be God|So-called modern civilization, they have no knowledge of God, although they are trying to study the laws of God. But they should accept at least theoretically there must be God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Constant change and destruction (bhutva bhutva praliyate (BG 8.19)) is perpetually going on in nature, yet the material scientists want to study natural laws without knowing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the background of nature|Constant change and destruction (bhutva bhutva praliyate (BG 8.19)) is perpetually going on in nature, yet the material scientists want to study natural laws without knowing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the background of nature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Men with a poor fund of knowledge become astonished by studying the physical laws both within the construction of the individual body and within the cosmic manifestation, and foolishly they decry the existence of God|Men with a poor fund of knowledge become astonished by studying the physical laws both within the construction of the individual body and within the cosmic manifestation, and foolishly they decry the existence of God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:So-called scientists say that, "God has created this universe. The laws are there. So we have to study the laws. What we shall do with the God?" Is it not?|So-called scientists say that, "God has created this universe. The laws are there. So we have to study the laws. What we shall do with the God?" Is it not?]]

=== Appreciating Both the Law and the Lawmaker ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it is good to appreciate how nicely nature functions. However, true intelligence means taking the next logical step: appreciating the creator who designed such an extraordinary system.

* [[Vaniquotes:People, if they simply study nature's law, he becomes a learned scholar. There is no need of going to school, college|People, if they simply study nature's law, he becomes a learned scholar. There is no need of going to school, college.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:They are studying how the laws of nature is working. That's nice. But they should appreciate at the same time: Who made such subtle laws that they are working so nicely|They are studying how the laws of nature is working. That's nice. But they should appreciate at the same time: Who made such subtle laws that they are working so nicely.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Thing is that they are studying the laws very nicely. That's good. But they should appreciate that who has made this law. That is their defect|Thing is that they are studying the laws very nicely. That's good. But they should appreciate that who has made this law. That is their defect.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:They are studying the laws of nature, how things are happening. But simply they have to understand that it is under the direction of Krsna|They are studying the laws of nature, how things are happening. But simply they have to understand that it is under the direction of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We do not only study the laws and appreciate it, but we study the law-maker also. That is the difference between ourself and the so-called scientists|We do not only study the laws and appreciate it, but we study the law-maker also. That is the difference between ourself and the so-called scientists.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We do not only study the laws and appreciate it, but we study the law-maker also. That is the difference between ourself and the so-called scientists. They are left, poor fund of knowledge. They cannot appreciate that there is a law-maker|We do not only study the laws and appreciate it, but we study the law-maker also. That is the difference between ourself and the so-called scientists. They are left, poor fund of knowledge. They cannot appreciate that there is a law-maker.]]

=== Qualifications for Transcendental Study ===
Just as human society establishes prerequisites for entering specialized fields of law or medicine, there are strict qualifications required to understand transcendental knowledge. Ordinary academic degrees are not enough.

* [[Vaniquotes:Suppose you are lawyer. Your particular engagement is study of law or executing legal business. So that is sva-dharma|Suppose you are lawyer. Your particular engagement is study of law or executing legal business. So that is sva-dharma.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Suppose if you have to become a medical practitioner or a lawyer. So you have to study the law books by the previous lawyers, by the judgments of the courts|Suppose if you have to become a medical practitioner or a lawyer. So you have to study the law books by the previous lawyers, by the judgments of the courts.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Nobody is allowed to study law unless he is a graduate of the degree college. At least in India that is the law|Nobody is allowed to study law unless he is a graduate of the degree college. At least in India that is the law.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This transcendental science cannot be understood simply by academic education. It is not possible. There is a secret. Just like in the ordinary educational field, nobody is allowed to study law unless he is a graduate of the degree college|This transcendental science cannot be understood simply by academic education. It is not possible. There is a secret. Just like in the ordinary educational field, nobody is allowed to study law unless he is a graduate of the degree college.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If one is seated on the bench of a high-court and is giving judgment on cases, it means that he has already passed all legal exams and is better than those who are engaged in the study of law or those expecting to study law in the future|If one is seated on the bench of a high-court and is giving judgment on cases, it means that he has already passed all legal exams and is better than those who are engaged in the study of law or those expecting to study law in the future.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Let us study the laws of God." So jnani, karmi . . . and yogi, they are also of the same view. So karmi, jnani, yogi, and the last is bhakta|Let us study the laws of God." So jnani, karmi . . . and yogi, they are also of the same view. So karmi, jnani, yogi, and the last is bhakta.]]

=== Conclusion ===
Observing the wonders of the universe and uncovering the complex laws of physics, chemistry, and biology should naturally evoke a profound sense of awe and lead one to inquire about the supreme creator. To study the laws of nature while stubbornly denying the law-maker is the ultimate mark of foolishness and false prestige. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that true education is attained only when the student graduates from mere academic speculation and adopts the submissive attitude of a ''bhakta'' (devotee). By understanding that the material energy operates entirely under the infallible direction of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the devotee perfectly comprehends both the law and the supreme law-maker, thereby achieving the ultimate perfection of knowledge.

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

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