11 July 2025
Friday
There are two kinds of knowledge which man can seek in his quest for happiness. One is Lokajnana (worldly knowledge). This relates to knowledge of music and the fine arts, of the physical Universe, botany, chemistry, mathematics, and the like. All this knowledge is of use only for earning a living. All of it relates to matters which are ever changing and perishable. The other kind of knowledge is Brahmajnana (knowledge of the Supreme). This knowledge reveals that the origin, growth and dissolution of the Cosmos are due to Brahman (Supreme Reality). The Upanishads (Vedic metaphysical treatises) have described it as Akshaya (imperishable) Brahman. Man today needs this supreme knowledge. There are three steps leading to this knowledge. One is “Bhavam ” (heartfelt feeling). The second is “Sadhana ” (spiritual effort). The third is “Upasana ” (contemplation).
From Swami’s discourse of 24 July 1983
There are two kinds of knowledge which man can seek in his quest for happiness. One is Lokajnana (worldly knowledge). This relates to knowledge of music and the fine arts, of the physical Universe, botany, chemistry, mathematics, and the like. All this knowledge is of use only for earning a living. All of it relates to matters which are ever changing and perishable. The other kind of knowledge is Brahmajnana (knowledge of the Supreme). This knowledge reveals that the origin, growth and dissolution of the Cosmos are due to Brahman (Supreme Reality). The Upanishads (Vedic metaphysical treatises) have described it as Akshaya (imperishable) Brahman. Man today needs this supreme knowledge. There are three steps leading to this knowledge. One is “Bhavam ” (heartfelt feeling). The second is “Sadhana ” (spiritual effort). The third is “Upasana ” (contemplation).