If One Is Intelligent He Surrenders to Kṛṣṇa

Śrīla Prabhupāda defines intelligence not by academic qualifications or mental speculation, but by the ability to see the world as it truly is. True intelligence is characterized by the discrimination to reject the temporary, miserable nature of material life and the wisdom to accept the eternal solution offered by the Lord. If one is actually intelligent, they will not waste time but will take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness immediately.

Perceiving the Reality of Matter

The first symptom of intelligence is the ability to see through the illusion of material enjoyment. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that while the less intelligent are captivated by the temporary glitter of the world, an intelligent person sees the "bitter taste" of material life. They understand that the body—even the body of a loved one—is ultimately just a transformation of matter, destined for destruction.

• If one is intelligent enough, if he has got actually the bitter taste of this material world, he'll never agree. But those who have not advanced to such knowledge, oh, they think, - Oh, this material enjoyment is very nice.
• If one is intelligent, he can think of his wife's body as nothing but a lump of matter that will ultimately be transformed into small insects, stool or ashes.

Urgency of Surrender

Why wait? Śrīla Prabhupāda argues that if one understands the goal of life is to surrender to Kṛṣṇa, postponing it is a sign of a lack of intelligence. It may take the gradual evolution of millions of births to come to the point of surrender, but an intelligent person cuts the knot of karma and surrenders to Vāsudeva in this very life, knowing it to be the ultimate destination.

• To come to that Krsna consciousness rightly and surrender to Krsna, it takes many millions of births. But if one is intelligent, if this is the ultimate goal, that one has to come to this point, to surrender to Vasudeva, why not do it immediately?
• If one is intelligent enough to take instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as enunciated in Bhagavad-gita or the Sankhya philosophy of Kapiladeva, one can very soon attain liberation and be situated in his original position of spiritual life.

Intelligent Action for This Age

Intelligence must be applied practically. In this age of Kali, performing elaborate Vedic sacrifices is impossible due to a scarcity of qualified brāhmaṇas. Therefore, the intelligent person applies their energy to sankīrtana-yajña (the chanting of the holy names) and the study of śāstra, which is the only effective means of deliverance.

• Instead of spending money unnecessarily on performing yajnas impossible to perform in this age of Kali because of the scarcity of yajnika-brahmanas, one who is intelligent performs sankirtana-yajna.
• In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, in Bhagavad-gita, everything is there about Krsna. Anyone can understand if he's little intelligent. And as soon as you understand Krsna, then you are liberated person.

Conclusion

Ultimately, intelligence is measured by one's determination to end the cycle of birth and death. By using logic and argument to understand the Absolute Truth, and by associating with sādhus, one can sharpen their intelligence to the point of liberation. The intelligent soul does not linger in the material world but utilizes every moment to revive their eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa.

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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category If One Is Intelligent. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.