Krsna Kathamrita

Difference between reading a book and shastra. Book just stops at reading, but shastra goes beyond that Shravanam - Read Manananam - Meditation Nidhidhyasanam – Meditate for prolonged period and realize Shabda Vapu of the Lord – Word form Deity Brahma Sutra - 1.1.3 śāstrayonitvāt—The scripture being the means of right knowledge. yoni means womb –Lord appears(we perceive) through scriptures Vidya vivadyaya dhanam madaya vidyA vivAdAya dhanaM madAya shaktiH pareshhAM para-pIDanAya | khalasya sAdhor-viparItam-etat jnAnAya dAnAya ca rakShaNAya || For the wicked, knowledge is for arguments, wealth is for arrogance, and power is for tormenting others; for the virtuous, they are just for the opposite: wisdom, charity and protection. Main purpose of shastra is to cut our doubts to pieces Link to Lecture: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=806967069837293

Practical devotion is the secret to understanding the Sastras. My Guru Maharaja used to say that for one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar. One who thinks the books are the thing is content in this way. But we should learn the secret to open the jar and taste the honey. In this way, if we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, the perfection is there.- Letter to:  Pradyumna, Los Angeles, February 17, 1968