The world is filled with questions & answers. But ridiculously questions like “Who am I? What is spiritual life? What are God’s energies and what does He do? What if I don’t feel like surrendering myself to Him…” are considered either too philosophical and hence not discussed, or too boring and unnecessary and hence definitely not discussed. However, Srila Prabhupada calls such questions “perfect”. In Vedanta-sutra there is a statement athato brahma jijnasa, which means that now that we’ve become human beings we must inquire about Brahman, about spiritual subject matters and perfect our lives by reestablishing our relationship with the Supreme Lord. And perfection in this definition is not some cold, shiny, magazine cover picture, or a creepy overly smiling group of people who don’t blink. No, perfection is when all of our innermost desires of the heart are fulfilled when we enter into life full of bliss, knowledge and eternity. Any questions? Bob Cohen (Brahmā Tirtha das) also had them. Many. Srila Prabhupada answered each of them. Profoundly. And their entire sweet conversation conquered me deeply.
Episodes playlist 182-192
Reading introduction today by Bob Cohen, who asked His Perfect Questions to Srila Prabhupada! So excited to start reading this book!
One of my favorite quotes
Perfect Questions Perfect Answers | Chapter 7
Bob: What about the innocent people?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: The animal is very innocent. If you cut its throat, it won’t protest. So innocence is not a very good qualification. The animals are all innocent. Therefore you get the chance to cut their throats. So to become innocent is not a very good qualification. Our proposition is that one must be very, very intelligent, and then he can understand Kṛṣṇa. To become an innocent, ignorant simpleton is not a very good qualification. Simplicity is all right, but one should not be unintelligent.
Bob: Can you tell me again what intelligence is?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: Intelligence means… One who knows what he is, what is this world, what is God, what are the interrelations – he is intelligent. The animal does not know what he is. He thinks that he is the body. Similarly, anyone who does not know what he is, he is not intelligent.
