Ask the Swami: Finding God Through the Heart, Not the Head

Bhaktas understand devotion (bhakti) to be the highest knowledge (jnana), whereas jnanis understand devotion to be a means to attain the highest knowledge. This is a subtle but important difference. Both notions have their place in transcendence, but bhaktas realize both knowledge and devotion in transcendence, while jnanis realize only knowledge. So if both are good, why give one up?

I could go on, but it should be obvious which side of the discussion that I am on. This is, of course, a debate that has been going on since time immemorial. Ultimately individuals must resolve this question for themselves. Listen carefully to both sides and follow your heart (hint), not your head.

Still, I feel that the bhaktas are winning the debate overall. Though jnanis often classify bhaktas as "less intelligent," it is hard to imagine anyone being more intelligent than great saints like Sri Ramanuja, Sri Madhvacarya, or Sri Caitanya--to name a few bhaktas. Still, one's degree of intelligence is dictated by his karma, so how much of a role can intelligence play in realizing God?

According to Bhagavad-gita, sincerity plays a greater role in spiritual realization than does intelligence, na hi kalyana-krt kascid durgatim tata gacchati.

I think religions are already united in the broadest sense. All religious people are worshipping God according to their particular faith. Differences lie in the measure of one's faith and one's corresponding realization as to the nature of God. I think it is unrealistic to hope for more than this.

In the second chapter of Bhagavad-gita, Sri Krsna says that the wise do not lament for the living or for the dead. How does one not lament and still possess compassion for the suffering of others? Isn't compassion a form of lamentation?

The lamentation that the Gita considers to be ignorance arises from thinking of ourselves as material bodies. Knowledge of the soul, on the other hand, includes appropriate compassion for the plight of others. Such knowledge and the compassion it fosters can bring about a comprehensive solution to all suffering.

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