Verse Text
jṣāna-vairāgyayor bhakti-praveśāyopayogitā |
īṣat prathamam eveti nāṅgatvam ucitaṁ tayoḥ ||248||
Translation
Jṣāna and vairāgya are suitable for entering bhakti, being somewhat useful in the beginning of bhakti, but they are not considered aṅgas of bhakti.
Purport (Jiva Goswami)
Jṣāna here refers to realization of tvam-padārtha (jīva), tat-padārtha (brahman) and finally realization of their oneness (tat tvam asi). This is called brahman-jṣāna consisting of three stages. The word īśat (somewhat) means that the knowledge of jīva and brahman are useful but realization of oneness should be rejected. Vairāgya in the verse means the type of renunciation that is useful only for brahma-jṣāna. That part of vairāgya, which is contrary to bhakti, should also be rejected. That is the meaning of īśat in relation to vairāgya. Jṣāna and vairāgya are somewhat useful only in the beginning of bhakti. That means that they are suitable only at the stage of giving up attachment to other objects. When attachments have been given up and a person begins practicing bhakti, jṣāna and vairāgya become insignificant. Also, after beginning bhakti, thinking of these processes will distract a person from bhakti. Thus, they are useful only in the very beginning of bhakti.
Purport (Nectar of Devotion)
NoD 14: Devotional Qualifications
Some scholars recommend that knowledge and renunciation are important factors for elevating oneself to devotional service. But actually that is not a fact. Actually, the cultivation of knowledge or renunciation, which are favorable for achieving a footing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, may be accepted in the beginning, but ultimately they may also come to be rejected, for devotional service is dependent on nothing other than the sentiment or desire for such service. It requires nothing more than sincerity.
It is the opinion of expert devotees that mental speculation and the artificial austerities of yoga practice may be favorable for becoming liberated from material contamination, but they will also make one’s heart harder and harder. They will not help at all in the progress of devotional service. These processes are therefore not favorable for entering into the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Actually, Kṛṣṇa consciousness—devotional service itself—is the only way of advancing in devotional life. Devotional service is absolute; it is both the cause and the effect. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the cause and effect of all that be, and to approach Him, the Absolute, the process of devotional service—which is also absolute—has to be adopted.
This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā by the Lord Himself: “One can understand Me only through devotional service.” In beginning His teaching of the Gītā, the Lord said to Arjuna, “Because you are My devotee, I shall teach these secrets to you.” Vedic knowledge means ultimately to understand the Supreme Lord, and the process of entering into His kingdom is devotional service. That is accepted by all authentic scriptures. Mental speculators neglect the process of devotional service, and by simply trying to defeat others in philosophical research they fail to develop the ecstasy of devotion.