Text 11] Narada Instructs the Pracetas 1569

Srutena—by Vedic education; tapasa—by austerities; va—or; kim—what
is the meaning; vacobhih—by words; citta—of consciousness; urttibhih—
by the occupations; buddhya—by intelligence; va—or; kim—what is the use;
nipunayd—expert; balena—by bodily strength; indriya-radhasa—by power
of the senses.

TRANSLATION

Without devotional service, what is the meaning of severe austerities,
the process of hearing, the power of speech, the power of mental specu-
lation, elevated intelligence, strength and the power of the senses?

PURPORT

From the Upanisads we learn:

nayam atma pravacanena labhyo
na medhayda na bahund Ssrutena
yam evaisa urnute tena labhyas
tasyaisa atma vivrnute tanuim svam
(Mundaka Upanisad 3.2.3)

Our relationship with the Supreme Lord is never advanced by simple
study of the Vedas. There are many Mayavadi sannyasis fully engaged in
studying the Vedas, Vedanta-siitra and Upanisads, but unfortunately they
cannot grasp the real essence of knowledge. In other words, they do not
know the Supreme Personality of Godhead. What, then, is the use in studying
all the Vedas,if one cannot grasp the essence of the Vedas, Krsna? The
Lord confirms in Bhagavad-gitd, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah: ““By
all the Vedas, I am to be known.” (Bg. 15.15)

There are many religious systems wherein penances and austerities are
greatly stressed, but at the end no one understands Krsna, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. There is therefore no point in such penance
(tapasya). If one has actually approached the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, he does not need to undergo severe austerities. The Supreme
Personality of Godhead is understood through the process of devotional
service. In the Ninth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita devotional service is ex-
plained as raja-guhyam, the king of all confidential knowledge. There are
many good reciters of Vedic literatures, and they recite works such as the
Ramayana, Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. Sometimes these pro-
fessional readers manifest very good scholarship and exhibit word jugglery.
Unfortunately they are never devotees of the Supreme Lord. Consequently
