Pariprashnena — Q&A Archive

Because it is not a subjective statement, it is ontological predisposition. In the recent times philosophy became rather subjective and opinionated, but a-priori sabda is more powerful. If you do not agree that Krishna is Supreme Personality of Godhead, you are not talking about the same. There is Godhead and there is Personality of Godhead, bhagavan. Krishna is the Supreme Bhagavan, or Supreme personality of the Absolute Godhead. That does not change by perception, and it may take many lifetimes to have a personal experience of this concept, but the concept is absolute and ontologically correct.

[quote][cite] ccd:[/cite]Because it is not a subjective statement, it is ontological predisposition.[/quote]

To make statements about ontological predispositions, one has to be adequately qualified, which means nothing short of being omniscient![br][br]

[quote]In the recent times philosophy became rather subjective and opinionated, [/quote]

It is not about being opinionated; it is about specifying where the statement comes from, because its veracity may be relativized by that.[br]
Because it is prudent to not speak beyond ones qualifications or competence.[br]
Using the objective form can mean that one is assuming more qualifications or competence than one actually has.[br][br]

As far as I understood, as long as one is merely on the level of jnana, one does not have the qualification or competence to make statements in the objective form; but only after one has reached the level of at least vijnana can one rightfully make them.[br][br]

IOW, as far as I understood, a person who doesnt have realization of something, ought to qualify their statements with "I think ...", "As I understood so far ...".[br]Someone making statements without such qualifiers implies to be at least on the level of vijnana (which implies such a person must be given due respect).

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[quote]but a-priori sabda is more powerful. If you do not agree that Krishna is Supreme Personality of Godhead, you are not talking about the same. There is Godhead and there is Personality of Godhead, bhagavan. Krishna is the Supreme Bhagavan, or Supreme personality of the Absolute Godhead. That does not change by perception, and it may take many lifetimes to have a personal experience of this concept, but the concept is absolute and ontologically correct.[/quote]

A persons authority for saying that can change, though.[br][br]

If a child with Down Syndrome mechanically repeats after someone "Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead", that instance of stating "Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead" has a different epistemological status than if a pure devotee of the Lord states it. Or does it not?
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If, for example, I were to say, "Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead" - nobody would take me or the statement seriously, because I am not a devotee and I have no authority.

[quote][cite] Baker:[/cite][quote][cite] ccd:[/cite]Because it is not a subjective statement, it is ontological predisposition.[/quote]

To make statements about ontological predispositions, one has to be adequately qualified, which means nothing short of being omniscient![br].[/quote]
Yes, one needs to be. In our terms it is called "to know siddhanta" and the view of the acaryas. Prabhupada, however, was so merciful that he gave this realized knowledge to his disciples and even designed the cover his own Bhagavatam volumes, showing the principal ontology of Gaudiya-vaisnavism. We received it in parampara, and when you hear the conviction in our voices, it is conviction in the parampara system. Yes, authority comes when you represent the parampara and belong to it. Of course, it is better to hear directly from a self-realized souls, this is why we so much pushy about Prabhupadas books. One who has seen the truth can show you the truth, and when you hear Prabhupada saying: "Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead" at least that does not leave any doubts in my heart, not that I claim to be a devotee or not.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

ccd prabhu makes excellent points.

Even if devotees or non-devotees have only realized a tiny percent of the truth of this statement "Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead" we can say it--just as a person who tastes a bite of food can say, "Its delicious!" He doesnt need to eat the entire serving to know the truth is: its delicious. Srila Prabhupada has convinced us by providing a process whereby all of us can say it with conviction even before we are fully realized and given a process which constantly inspires us to keep on endeavoring according to our capacity and circumstances. We can also note our advancement and see we are truly on the ever-revealling path of truth toward Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Baker, if it makes you more comfortable to say "I think Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead", by all means, do so. And, judging the person or persons you are addressing, if your saying "I think Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead" would make them more receptive to the possiblilty, or less inclined to argue, by all means speak tenitively. No harm in that. Some people who have had bad experience with authority figures get completely shut down by authoritative statements so skirting that issue is being compassionate to them. If something is hot, whether you say "i think it is hot" or "it is hot", in both cases, it is hot. So do what seems right to you from all of us who think Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Hare Krishna!