View source for True Education and the Educated Class of People

Śrīla Prabhupāda meticulously defines what it means to be truly educated, distinguishing between mere academic training and the realization of Vedic truths. While modern society produces many so-called educated individuals, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seeks to provide the higher education necessary for spiritual liberation.

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=== Defining the Truly Educated Person ===
According to the Vedic standard, education is not measured by certificates but by the realization of the essence of the ''śāstras''. A truly educated person is sober and understands that the goal of life is to transcend the cycle of birth and death.
* [[Vaniquotes:Anyone who has learned the essence of all the Vedic scriptures is to be known as a first-class educated person, with full knowledge of all sastra|Anyone who has learned the essence of all the Vedic scriptures is to be known as a first-class educated person, with full knowledge of all sastra.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the human form of life, if we are actually intelligent, we shall try our best how to get that life or body where there is no more death, birth, old age and disease. So this Krsna consciousness movement means to educate people for that purpose|In the human form of life, if we are actually intelligent, we shall try our best how to get that life or body where there is no more death, birth, old age and disease. So this Krsna consciousness movement means to educate people for that purpose.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:People should be sober, that we are giving books. They should understand. And it is accepted by the educated class, big, big professors, big, big philosophers. It is not blind faith|People should be sober, that we are giving books. They should understand. And it is accepted by the educated class, big, big professors, big, big philosophers. It is not blind faith.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Take this Krsna consciousness movement. It is not a sentimental movement. It is a very authorized, scientific movement. You are all educated, advanced ladies and gentlemen. I'll request you to understand this Krsna consciousness movement|Take this Krsna consciousness movement. It is not a sentimental movement. It is a very authorized, scientific movement. You are all educated, advanced ladies and gentlemen. I'll request you to understand this Krsna consciousness movement.]]

=== The Misfortune of the So-called Educated ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that many who consider themselves educated are actually being degraded because they have rejected devotional service and accepted the influence of unauthorized "rascals." This lack of spiritual foundation leads to unemployment, cultural loss, and the dismissal of the laws of nature as superstition.
* [[Vaniquotes:You write to say that these days the educated class of people have rejected devotional service - and it is their misfortune. This means they are not being educated; rather they are being degraded|You write to say that these days the educated class of people have rejected devotional service - and it is their misfortune. This means they are not being educated; rather they are being degraded.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because educated class means wine, women, meat, and Vivekananda allows this. That is the point|Because educated class means wine, women, meat, and Vivekananda allows this. That is the point.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:At the present moment, so many so-called educated persons are unemployed because the division of work is neglected|At the present moment, so many so-called educated persons are unemployed because the division of work is neglected.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:They believe that "If I act sinfully, then I'll have to suffer next life, & because I did not do properly, therefore I am suffering in this life." Still they believe. But the so-called educated people, they try to set aside this. They say, - Superstition|They believe that "If I act sinfully, then I'll have to suffer next life, and because I did not do properly, therefore I am suffering in this life." Still they believe. But the so-called educated people, they try to set aside this. They say: "Superstition."]]

=== Preaching Strategies for the Intellectual Circle ===
To reform society, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized approaching the educated class with books and logical philosophy. Engaging professors, lawyers, and teachers ensures that the movement is recognized as an authorized and scientific endeavor rather than a sentimental one.
* [[Vaniquotes:The professors. They're the educated class of people|The professors. They're the educated class of people.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In Bangladesh, we have got very good field. Simply by chanting, dancing and taking a little prasadam. Best thing is to speak among the educated class, like lawyers, professors--the mass of people, they cannot speak English|In Bangladesh, we have got very good field. Simply by chanting, dancing and taking a little prasadam. Best thing is to speak among the educated class, like lawyers, professors—the mass of people, they cannot speak English.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Samkirtan book distribution is very important and that is why we are opening Centers. Also, you should keep on your work with trying to approach the educated class in this, teachers of religion in the schools and colleges|Samkirtan book distribution is very important and that is why we are opening Centers. Also, you should keep on your work with trying to approach the educated class in this, teachers of religion in the schools and colleges.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As you are appreciating my books, so if all educated people in your country also appreciate, that will expand our missionary activities|As you are appreciating my books, so if all educated people in your country also appreciate, that will expand our missionary activities.]]

=== Restoring Cultural and Spiritual Roots ===
Real progress occurs when the educated class understands that true culture is original and particular to India in its spiritual roots. By circulating Kṛṣṇa conscious literature, the ignorance covering the pure spiritual identity of the educated class can be dissipated.
* [[Vaniquotes:If you try you will get also an order for 18 copies of all our books. This open order was published in my picture advertisement for the Bhagavatam. So please try in this way to get our books circulating among the educated classes|If you try you will get also an order for 18 copies of all our books. This open order was published in my picture advertisement for the Bhagavatam. So please try in this way to get our books circulating among the educated classes.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Not only he (Nehru). Later on, all the so-called educated persons, they took it for granted that "Whatever is done in London, that is first class, and whatever is Indian original, that is all bad." And they controlled the native princes. So many things|Not only he (Nehru). Later on, all the so-called educated persons, they took it for granted that "Whatever is done in London, that is first class, and whatever is Indian original, that is all bad."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This superficial loss of original culture is visible only to the so-called educated person at the present moment, and they have become befooled as it is stated in the Bhagavad Gita: Mayaya Prihatajnana, their knowledge has been taken away|This superficial loss of original culture is visible only to the so-called educated person at the present moment, and they have become befooled as it is stated in the Bhagavad Gita: Mayaya Prihatajnana, their knowledge has been taken away.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When they see the Americans have come, they'll take it little seriously. And now we have got philosophy. At least the educated class will understand|When they see the Americans have come, they'll take it little seriously. And now we have got philosophy. At least the educated class will understand.]]

=== Conclusion ===
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the educated class as a vital sector of society that must be reached through the authorized science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. True education is not merely a means of maintaining a family or gaining material prestige; it is the process of learning the essence of the ''śāstras'' to solve the problems of material existence. While modern so-called education often degrades individuals by cutting them off from their spiritual roots, the distribution of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books offers a way for intellectuals to regain their original culture and achieve the highest perfection of life.

=== 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:Educated Class of People|Educated Class of People]]. 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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