Beyond the Intellectual Platform to the Soul
The term Platform refers to a specific stage or level of consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Intellectual Platform represents a subtle stage situated above the mental and sensual planes. In the hierarchy of self-realization taught in the Bhagavad-gītā, the Intellectual Platform is essential, as it helps one begin to consider, "Whether I'm this body or I am something else?"
Position in the Hierarchy of Consciousness
The Intellectual Platform is an elevated state compared to the gross bodily and mental platforms. When Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī approached Lord Caitanya, he did so from the intellectual platform, asking the fundamental questions: "Who am I? Why am I suffering these three kinds of material miserable condition of life?"
- In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that beyond the senses, the mind is there. Beyond the mind, the intelligence is there. Beyond the intelligence, the soul is there.
- When he (Sanatana Gosvami) approached Lord Caitanya, he very intellectually asked Lord Caitanya, Who am I? Why I am suffering these three kinds of material miserable condition of life? This is intellectual platform.
Necessity of Transcendence
However, the Intellectual Platform is not the final destination; it must be transcended. While speculation can, at the utmost, approach this level, to understand the soul and God, one must go beyond the intellectual platform. The soul is inherently above the intellect.
Śrīla Prabhupāda states that our speculative knowledge, intellectual platform, is not helpful for spiritual realization. The only way to achieve perfect knowledge is to receive it from a superior, perfect source.
Elevating to the Spiritual Platform
The entire program of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is centered on changing one's consciousness from the material, mental, and Intellectual Platform to the spiritual platform (kevalaya). When working on the spiritual platform, one is free from the adulteration of all lower platforms.
- We have to change the consciousness from material platform, from mental platform, from intellectual platform, to the platform of Krsna. That is our program, Krsna consciousness.
- We are working neither on the sensual platform, nor on the mental platform, nor on the intellectual platform; we are working completely on the spiritual platform.
Conclusion
The Intellectual Platform serves as a vital transition point where philosophical inquiry begins. Its highest function is to question material existence. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that because it is still a form of material consciousness, it must be transcended for full spiritual realization. The goal is to elevate oneself beyond the intellectual stage and become situated entirely on the spiritual platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
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 Intellectual Platform. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.