29 June 2026
Monday
One who pursues knowledge in the world may be a student or a scholar. But he cannot thereby become a jnani (wise one). There is a big difference between the scholar and the jnani . Ravana had mastered 64 categories of knowledge, while Sri Rama had studied only 34 categories. Although Ravana had studied more subjects than Sri Rama, Valmiki described Ravana as a murkha (an irrational person). Why was Ravana dubbed as murkha ? Because, despite his mastery of all skills and arts, he was a slave of his senses. The one who is a slave of his senses is a fool who has lost his reason. Rama was not dominated by his senses. He was their sovereign. The difference between Rama and Ravana can be seen in three aspects: Sarvaloka hite ratah (one who rejoices in the welfare of the whole world); Sarva jnana sampannah (endowed with all wisdom); Sarve samudita gunaihi (one who is filled with all the virtues). Rama promoted the welfare of the world by adhering to Truth and setting an example in righteous conduct.
From Swami’s discourse of 15 June 1989
One who pursues knowledge in the world may be a student or a scholar. But he cannot thereby become a jnani (wise one). There is a big difference between the scholar and the jnani . Ravana had mastered 64 categories of knowledge, while Sri Rama had studied only 34 categories. Although Ravana had studied more subjects than Sri Rama, Valmiki described Ravana as a murkha (an irrational person). Why was Ravana dubbed as murkha ? Because, despite his mastery of all skills and arts, he was a slave of his senses. The one who is a slave of his senses is a fool who has lost his reason. Rama was not dominated by his senses. He was their sovereign. The difference between Rama and Ravana can be seen in three aspects: Sarvaloka hite ratah (one who rejoices in the welfare of the whole world); Sarva jnana sampannah (endowed with all wisdom); Sarve samudita gunaihi (one who is filled with all the virtues). Rama promoted the welfare of the world by adhering to Truth and setting an example in righteous conduct.