Preface

Learned sages have definitely concluded that the infallible fruit of knowledge, austerity, Vedic study, sacrifice, the chanting of hymns, and charity is found in the transcendental descriptions of the qualities of the Lord, who is defined in choice poetry. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.5.22)

The human intellect is developed for advancement in art, science, philosophy, physics, chemistry, psychology, economics, politics, and other fields. Through the culture of knowledge, humanity can attain the perfection of life, which culminates in the realization of the Supreme Being, Viṣṇu. The śruti therefore advises the learned to aspire for the service of Lord Viṣṇu. Unfortunately, when people are enamored by the external beauty of viṣṇu-māyā, they do not understand that perfection, or self-realization, depends on Viṣṇu. Viṣṇu-māyā means sense enjoyment, which is transient and miserable. Those who are entrapped by viṣṇu-māyā utilize their knowledge for sense enjoyment. Śrī Nārada Muni, however, has explained that all phenomena in the universe emanate from the Lord because the Lord, through His inconceivable energies, has set in motion the actions and reactions of the creation. Everything has come into being out of His energy; everything rests on His energy, and after annihilation, everything merges into Him. Therefore nothing is different from the Lord, although the Lord is always different from His creation.

When knowledge is applied in the service of the Lord, the process of advancement becomes absolute. The Supreme Personality of Godhead and His transcendental name, fame, and glory are all nondifferent from Him; therefore all sages and devotees of the Lord have recommended that art, science, philosophy, physics, chemistry, psychology, and other branches of knowledge be wholly and solely applied in the Lord's service. Art, literature, poetry, and music may be used in glorifying the Lord. Poets and other celebrated litterateurs are generally engaged in writing of sensuous themes, but if they turn toward the service of the Lord, they can describe the Lord's transcendental pastimes. Vālmīki was a great poet, and Vyāsadeva was a great writer, and both completely engaged themselves in delineating the transcendental activities of the Lord, and by so doing, they have become immortal. Similarly, science and philosophy should also be applied in the service of the Lord. Advanced people are eager to understand the Absolute Truth through the medium of science, and therefore scientists should endeavor to prove the Lord's existence on a scientific basis. Philosophy should also aim to establish the Supreme Truth as sentient and all-powerful. Indeed, all other branches of knowledge should similarly be engaged in the Lord's service. This is also affirmed by Bhagavad-gītā. All knowledge not engaged in the Lord's service is but nescience. Advanced knowledge should be utilized to establish the glories of the Lord, and that is the real import of this verse. Scientific knowledge and other branches of knowledge engaged in the Lord's service are all factually hari-kīrtana, glorification of the Lord.