272 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 5

One may ask why highly educated persons do not take to Krsna con-
sciousness. The reason is explained in this verse. Unless one takes shelter
of a bona fide, fully Krsna conscious spiritual master, there is no chance
of understanding Krsna. The educators, scholars and big political leaders
worshiped by millions of people cannot understand the goal of life and
take to Krsna consciousness, for they have not accepted a bona fide
spiritual master and the Vedas. Therefore in the Mundaka Upanisad
(3.2.3) it is said, néyam Gtmé pravacanena labhyo na medhayé na
bahund Srutena: one cannot become self-realized simply by having an
academic education, by presenting lectures in an erudite way
(pravacanena labhyah), or by being an intelligent scientist who dis-
covers many wonderful things. One cannot understand Krsna unless one
is graced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Only one who has sur-
rendered to a pure devotee of Krsna and taken the dust of his lotus feet
can understand Krsna. First one must understand how to get out of the
clutches of maya. The only means is to become Krsna conscious. And to
become Krsna conscious very easily, one must take shelter of a realized
soul—a mahat, or mahétmé—whose only interest is to engage in the ser-

vice of the Supreme Lord. As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (9.13):

mahatmanas tu mar partha
daivirn prakrtim asritah

bhajanty ananya-manaso
Jnatva bhitadim avyayam

“O son of Prtha, those who are not deluded, the great souls, are under
the protection of the divine nature. They are fully engaged in devotional
service because they know Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
original and inexhaustible.” Therefore, to end the unwanted miseries of
life, one must become a devotee.

yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akificana
sarvair gunais tatra samésate surah

“One who has unflinching devotional faith in Krsna consistently
manifests all the good qualities of Krsna and the demigods.”
(Bhag. 5.18.12)
