Essence of All Scriptures - Surrender to Kṛṣṇa
The Vedic literatures are vast and multifaceted, offering guidance for every stage of human life. However, navigating this immense library can be daunting. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the purpose of all these writings is singular. Whether one studies the Vedas, the Purāṇas, or the Upaniṣads, the ultimate conclusion—the essence of all scriptures—is to understand and surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.
Role of Ācārya
It is the specific function of the ācārya to extract this essence for the benefit of the common man. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that great spiritual masters, like the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana, studied the nānā-śāstra (various scriptures) not for intellectual pride, but to collect the cream of Vedic knowledge. By doing so, they provided a clear path for their disciples to achieve the highest benefit. Conversely, a teacher who does not know this essence is dismissed as useless.
- Acarya means, just like Gosvamis, they would read all the scriptures and take the essence of it and give it to his disciple that, "You act like this." Because he knows what to give, how to manipulate, so that his ekantatah sreyas will be achieved.
- If one does not know the essence of all revealed scriptures but still becomes a teacher, his teaching is like the disturbing braying of an ass.
- Both Rupa Gosvami and Sanatana Gosvami brought various scriptures to Vrndavana and collected the essence of these by compiling many scriptures on devotional service. In this way they delivered all rascals and fallen souls.
Cream of Vedic Knowledge
Among all the scriptures, the Bhagavad-gītā holds a unique position as the essence of all Vedic knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Kṛṣṇa personally instructed this essential philosophy to His friend Arjuna. Furthermore, the works compiled by the Gosvāmīs, such as the Ṣaṭ-sandarbha, serve as definitive guides to understanding the Absolute Truth.
- Bhagavad-gita is the essence of all Vedic knowledge, and therefore it is the scripture whose instructions should be especially accepted. In this essence of all sastras, Krsna personally advises that one give up all other duties and surrender unto Him.
- Arjuna was a most intimate friend of Sri Krsna, and thus Sri Krsna explained to him the essence of all scriptures, in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita.
- In particular, Srila Jiva Gosvami compiled the book named Bhagavata-sandarbha, or Sat-sandarbha, which is the essence of all scriptures. From this book one can obtain a conclusive understanding of devotional service and the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Ultimate Conclusion
What is the final instruction after churning the ocean of scripture? Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that it is simply to remember the Lord and surrender to Him. All rules, regulations, and prohibitions are meant to lead one to this single point of focus. This is the confidential secret of the Vedas.
- The essence of all scripture, asks you to do - the sastra says, the Lord says - sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja (BG 18.66): "Give up everything. Just surrender unto Me." This is the most confidential part of knowledge.
- Narayana Rsi informed Narada Muni that the essence of all the Vedas and Vedic scriptures (namely, the four Vedas, the Upanisads, the Puranas and the Vedanta-sutra) is to render transcendental loving service to the Lord.
- The conclusion is that when all the rules, regulations, recommended and prohibited activities revealed in scriptures are taken together, the remembrance of the Supreme Lord is invariably the essence of everything.
Essence in Sound
For the conditioned souls of this age, who may not be able to study vast libraries of texts, the essence is accessible through sound vibration. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra contains the full potency of all scripture and is sufficient to liberate the soul.
Conclusion
A truly educated person is not one who has merely memorized texts, but one who has grasped their essence. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that by following the instructions of the Bhagavad-gītā and engaging in devotional service, one realizes the purpose of all śāstras.
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 Essence of All Scriptures. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.