1218 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 4, Ch. 26

put forward a theory contradicting the theory of another scientist. All of
this is due to their working on the mental platform without a standard of
knowledge. In the Vedic instructions, however, the standard of knowledge
is accepted, even though it may sometimes appear that the statements are
contradictory. Because the Vedas are the standard of knowledge, even
though they may appear contradictory, they should be accepted. If one
does not accept them, he will be bound by the material conditions.

The material conditions are described in this verse as guna-pravaha, the
flowing of the three modes of material nature. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
therefore says in a song, (miche) mdaydara vase, yaccha bhese’, khaccha
habudubu, bhai: “Why are you suffering? Why are you sometimes being
drowned in the waves of material nature and sometimes coming to the
surface?” (Jiva) krsna-dasa, e visvasa, karle ta’ ara duhkha nai: ‘Please
therefore accept yourself as the servant of Krsna. Then you will be freed
from all miseries.” As soon as one surrenders to Krsna and accepts the
perfect standard of knowledge, which is Bhagavad-gita as it is, he then comes
out of the material modes of nature and does not fall down and lose his
knowledge.

Nasta-prajfiah. The word prajiia means “perfect knowledge,” and nasta-
prajfia means “one who has no perfect knowledge.” One who does not
have perfect knowledge has only mental speculation. By such mental
speculation one falls down and down into a hellish condition of life. By
transgressing the laws laid down in the sastras, one cannot become pure in
heart. When one’s heart is not purified, one acts according to the three
material modes of nature. These activities are very nicely explained in
verses 1-6 of the Seventeenth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita. Bhagavad-gita
further explains:

traigunya-visaya veda
nistraigunyo bhavarjuna

nirdvandvo nitya-sattva-stho
niryoga-ksema atmavan

“The Vedas mainly deal with the subject of the three modes of material
nature. Rise above these modes, O Arjuna. Be transcendental to all of them.
Be free from all dualities and from all anxieties for gain and safety, and be
established in the Self.” (Bg. 2.45)

The entire world and all material knowledge is within the three modes of
material nature. One has to transcend these modes, and to attain that
platform of transcendence one must follow the instruction of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and thus become perfect in life. Otherwise one will
be knocked down by the waves of the material nature’s three modes. This
