Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Sounds like a bit rajasic nature. Work on sattvic sadhana.

Baker, concentrate on Bhagavad-gita. There is a tremendous wealth of concepts there. The more I read, the more I go back to Gita and discover new things... forget about the rest, just keep reading Gita.

Greetings baker,

I have excactly the same problem as you describe. This is the way I am handling it. I divided my study into two parts: One part is a systematic study of a foundational text, the Bhagavad-gita. The other part is non-systematic study of devotional literature to satisfy my curiosity.

For the systematic side, I purchased Bhagavad-gita commentaries by the main acaryas of each sampradaya plus the other extra few available from the Gaudiya-Vaishnava sampradaya and study them verse by verse alongside of Srila Prabhupadas purports. With the non-systematic side, I purchased full versions of the Mahabharata, Puranas, Ramayana, Upanishads, of course all of Prabhupada books, and some other Gaudiya vaishnava literature suitable to my level of progress and I read that as it suits me, e.g. in my leisure time or if I want to research a particular topic in detail.

One thing I will advise though: it is important that you decide what you want out of your study before you start. What is your purpose? This reason you can find inside yourself with a little introspection. Studying just because you are told to isnt going to be a strong long term motivational factor. For me, I decided that my long term goal and motivation is to learn to preach in the same style as Prabhupada. From Prabhupadas lectures, you can see he knows the Bhagavad-gita inside and out and used it as the basis for his preaching for his 12 year preaching tour, even in classes in Bhagavatam and Caitanya-Caritamrta. In most of his classes he uses at least three or four Gita slokas and always uses very simple analogies or metaphors to explain complex philosophical points. So my serious study is on the Bhagavad-gita, and this study includes studying Prabhupadas Bhagavad-gita classes not only for the content but for his style and how he has put the classes together, how one point expands to another, and how he uses verses and how each verse expands to another.

I found this two-fold approach suits me well. When I dont feel like such a strict systematic focus or I want to research a specific topic in more detail, I can still immerse mind in bona-fide Vedic literature.

I would second Kula-pavanas advice too: The Bhagavad-gita really is an ever-growing wealth of information. Especially when you see it through the light of acaryas commentaries, it really is an ocean of unlimited knowledge and inspiration. I sincerely believe that if I can just become expert in this one text and preach nicely on the basis of it, then I have done justice to Srila Prabhupadas legacy and may have possibly repaid a small fraction of the debt I owe him for bringing this knowledge to my attention.

"The Supreme Lord said: Oh Partha, the Gita is My heart, the Gita is My supreme essence, and the Gita is intense, imperishable knowledge of Me." (Sri Vaisnahava tantra-sara)

Good approach, Dinaji. However, to get acarya commentaries in print outside India is rather difficult.
This 1.7 MB archive includes lots of info on BG: http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/library/Bhagavad-gita.zip

Haribol VEDAji. No, not difficult. After a 5 minute Google search....

Sridhara Swamis commentary: http://www.matchless-gifts.com

Sankaracaryas commentary: http://amazon.com

Ramanuja-acaryas commentary: http://www.matchless-gifts.com

Baladeva Vidyabhusanas commentary: http://www.thekrishnastore.com

Bhaktivinode Thakurs Bhagavad-gita Gita translation: http://www.exoticindiaart.com

Thanks, pretty good. Thats progress. 8)
Recently Romapada M. asked me about Sridhara tika (electronic), Ill let him know about this one.

edit: Sorry, it was about his SB tika. If you know about it, please let me know. Grantha Mandir has only Sanskrit version.

[quote][cite] Kula-pavana:[/cite]Baker, concentrate on Bhagavad-gita. There is a tremendous wealth of concepts there. The more I read, the more I go back to Gita and discover new things... forget about the rest, just keep reading Gita.[/quote]

But how do you go about that study? Do you just read, in the hopes something will stick in your memory?

[quote][cite] VEDA:[/cite]Sounds like a bit rajasic nature. Work on sattvic sadhana.[/quote]

What is a sattvic way to organize ones study of spiritual literature?

[quote][cite] Baker:[/cite][quote][cite] Kula-pavana:[/cite]Baker, concentrate on Bhagavad-gita. There is a tremendous wealth of concepts there. The more I read, the more I go back to Gita and discover new things... forget about the rest, just keep reading Gita.[/quote]

But how do you go about that study? Do you just read, in the hopes something will stick in your memory?[/quote]

I think we all learn in a bit different way. I have a few simple rules for my studies: 1. Dont try to read too much - two to four verses at one time at the most. 2. Always read each verse in the context of the conversation (read the preceding verses). 3. Think about the verse BEFORE you read the purport. 4. If you have other editions of BG read their translation of the same verse to see how others understand that passage - it is often very useful tactic to expand our understanding of the meaning.

[quote][cite] deena:[/cite] This is the way I am handling it. I divided my study into two parts: One part is a systematic study of a foundational text, the Bhagavad-gita. The other part is non-systematic study of devotional literature to satisfy my curiosity.
[/quote]
Amazing... I do it in the same way... :)
Your other points are very valid as well. Thank you for your insight.

I said sattvic sadhana. Its part is sastra adhyaya, study.

Check this Java applet: http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/gunas.htm

This is what my notes usually look like - an example from the beginning of Journey to Self-Discovery. The notes are in Q and A format on the right page, and the left page is meant for summary and discussion.
It seems to me I dont retain anything unless I engage myself with a text in such a way. I am also reluctant to "just read", as I will lose some 95% of it at least; and so "just reading" seems like a waste of time to me.

(I apologize for the poor quality of the photo.)

[quote][cite] VEDA:[/cite]I said sattvic sadhana. Its part is sastra adhyaya, study.

[br]Check this Java applet: http://www.veda.harekrsna.cz/encyclopedia/gunas.htm[/quote]

I thought that if there is faith, action, charity, renunication etc. according to the three modes, then "study of scriptures" would also be according to the three modes. Ie a sattvic way to study scriptures, a rajasic way to study scriptures, and a tamasic way to study scriptures.

Yes but BG and SB dont list it. My take:

sattvic - focusing on sattvic sastras, within guru parampara and Vaisnava sanga, in a peaceful setting, in the morning, etc.
rajasic - avoiding guru parampara and Vaisnavas, considering anumana the topmost pramana (like modern indology), trying to graft ones own meaning (sense gratification) on them...
tamasic - trying to undermine, refute, misinterpret and misuse (like Nazi Aryanism)

>But how do you go about that study? Do you just read, in the hopes something will stick in your memory?

along with the already provided link (http://www.vihe.org/boox/VTEBS_StudentHandbook.pdf), listen to the BS lectures by Bhurijana Prabhu (it uses the same sub chapter classification) http://audio.iskcondesiretree.info/index.php?q=f&f=%2F03_-_ISKCON_Prabhujis%2FHis_Grace_Bhurijana_Prabhu%2FBhakti_Sastri_Course%2FBhagavad_Gita_overview

the total runtime is about 30 hours - he brings our key points from Srila Prabhupadas purport - he provides information on how the chapters are connected. just print the chapter classifications from the PDF and listen to the lecture serious couple of times.

[quote][cite] VEDA:[/cite]Thanks, pretty good. Thats progress. 8)
Recently Romapada M. asked me about Sridhara tika (electronic), Ill let him know about this one.[/quote] See also www.bhagavad-gita.org for four commentaries side by side (a non ISKCON site).

Bhagavad Gita As It Is, Original Edition -www.asitis.com
Chapter 10 Text 34 Purport by His Divine Grace AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada

"After studying, if one can remember the subject matter, he is gifted with good memory, or smrti. One need not read many books on different subject matters; the ability to remember a few and quote them when necessary is also another opulence."

Antony Brennan: If you have heard of Vanipedia you will know about this team of devotees, lead by Visnu Murti Dasa, who are creating a dynamic, interactive, encyclopedia of Srila Prabhupada'92s words. Vanipedia will eventually include everything Srila Prabhupada wrote and said, the entire record of Prabhupada Vani. '93Read my books'94 is an instruction given many times by Srila Prabhupada. It can often be found in his correspondence to devotees and others. In a '91garden conversation'92 in Los Angeles, USA, on June 25, 1975, Prabhupada says '93Some way or other, if they read my books, they will be benefited. There is no doubt about it.'94 '93So far we have found there are at least 42 different ways that Srila Prabhupada has instructed the devotees to read his books,'94 Visnu Murti Prabhu says in a recent email.
For the benefit of everyone, here are the many ways Srila Prabhupada told us that we should read his books.
'93Always,'94 '93again and again,'94 '93as much as possible,'94 '93attentively,'94 '93at least one hour daily,'94 '93at least three hours a day,'94 '93by discussing them,'94 '93carefully,'94 '93constantly,'94 '93continuously,'94 '93daily,'94 '93devotedly,'94 '93diligently,'94 '93faithfully,'94 '93from different lights of directions,'94 '93from all angles of vision,'94 '93intensely,'94 '93in small installments,'94 '93in the association of devotees,'94 '93minutely,'94 '93more and more,'94 '93nicely,'94 '93one after another,'94 '93over and over,'94 '93penetratingly,'94 '93persistently,'94 '93philosophically,'94 '93profoundly,'94 '93profusely,'94 '93regularly,'94 '93repeatedly,'94 '93scientifically,'94 '93scrutinizingly,'94 '93seriously,'94 '93sincerely,'94 '93submissively,'94 '93thoroughly,'94 '93thoughtfully,'94 '93to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision,'94 '93with adherence,'94 '93very deeply,'94 and '93with the help of your senior God-brothers and sisters.'94
All glories to Srila Prabhupada Pick out a few ways you can read his books and soak yourself in Prabhupada Vani here
www.vanipedia.org

Once in Bombay Srila Prabhupada ordered me to come to his room and listen to him preach to some life members. I sat there and listened for almost an hour. After they left he started to chastise me. Why are you not coming here everyday to listen to me preach. You are one of my leaders if you do not learn how to preach from me then what will happen? Then he quoted a verse in Sanskrit from Bhagavad Gita and asked me if I knew this verse in English, where it was in the Gita, and what the meaning was. I unfortunately had no answers. Are you reading my books everyday? he asked. I admitted my neglect. If you do not read my books everyday then how will you learn? You are going out to make life members and collect big donations but you are not reading my books. You must read my books every day! Then he said Even I read my books everyday. Do you know why? I proffered no answer and waited for the revelation. Because every time I read these books even I learn something! I sat in stunned silence. Then he asked Do you know why I learn something every time I read these books? Now I was completely bewildered Because I have not written these books. What transpired next was simply amazing. He looked me very intently making strong direct eye contact. He spoke with great authority but with a mystical mood bordering on the ecstatic as he began to describe how His books are written. Everyday He said When I sit down here to write these books He was now looking into space waving His hands in the air His voice filled with Transcendental emotion Krishna personally comes and dictates every word. I got the sense that Krishna was present in the room at that moment but I was too blind to see Him. Now Srila Prabhupada returned His eyes to mine Therefore He said Whenever I read these books even I learn something and if you read my books everyday you will also learn something every time you read them.

quoted from bookchanges.com

>How to organize ones studies of spiritual literature?

Study means, once you understood the book, you throw the book away in the garbage. It is an aggressive approach towards the scriptures. Hard to understand spiritual literature with this approach.

> deena:One thing I will advise though: it is important that you decide what you want out of your study before you start. What is your purpose? This reason you can find inside yourself with a little introspection.

Thank you for bringing this up, I have been thinking about this. It seems not being sure about why I study has been quite an obstacle for me so far.

In the VIHE textbooks linked to earlier, there are also aims of sastric study listed, which I have found very helpful.

So for myself, I have made this list of reasons for my study of spiritual literature (but the list is subject to revision):

I study spiritual literature:

1. To help me toward offenseless chanting.
2. To have wholesome topics to think and talk about.
3. To have a sense of being grounded, and to have a protection against harmful views, so that I have arguments ready to win out in internal and external struggles.
4. Because I like scriptures and studying them.
5. To obtain advice on how to reason and behave in various life situations, so as to not be unnecessarily helpless or wrong due to ignorance.
6. To become eligible for initiation.
7. To be able to wisely choose a spiritual master and to qualify as a disciple.
8. To help others.
9. To not be troublesome to others by making claims which I cannot backup with scripture.
10. Because, as Srila Prabbhupada said, blind surrender to God will not last.