Radhanath Swami speaks on the ‘Purpose of Knowledge’

33 Purpose of Knowledge

“The conclusion as well as the goal of all knowledge is the complete cleansing of the mind and the heart of all material misgivings.” – Radhanath Swami

The conclusion as well as the goal of all knowledge is the complete cleansing of the mind and the heart of all material misgivings. Theoretical knowledge that does not bring us to the point of becoming pure in heart is just like a heavy burden on our brain. It simply creates all sorts of false ego and a mumbo-jumbo of different ideas, concepts and philosophies, which are nothing but a burden. Therefore, to learn simply for the sake of accumulating knowledge is one of the greatest obstacles to spiritual advancement.

We have shining examples of great spiritual teachers who are conversant with so much knowledge of philosophy and so much realization. But all of that knowledge is simply targeted at cleansing the heart to become the humble servant of the Lord. Knowledge is like a seed and our heart is like an agricultural field. Unless the heart is properly ploughed and made receptive to receive the seed, the seed will simply be lost.

– Radhanath Swami

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22 comments

  1. The conclusion as well as the goal of all knowledge is the complete cleansing of the mind and the heart of all material misgivings – wonderful inspiring words!

  2. Hope one day my heart will also be cleansed & receptive to sow the seed of Bhakti. Thank you Radhanath Swami for describing the real purpose of knowledge.

  3. The heart very much needs to be fertile to grow the seed of knowledge which need constant care and nourishment by the process of devotional service..thank you for this article

  4. Thank you Radhanath swami for this wonderful article explaining about the real purpose of Knowledge.

  5. Wonderful realization of how true knowledge should cleanse the heart and mind and to be a humble servitor of the Lord.

  6. Great article. Example of field and seed is awesome. Hence materialistic educated hard hearted people could be understood easily as there in fructification of seed.

  7. But all of that knowledge is simply targeted at cleansing the heart to become the humble servant of the Lord. – Like this statement very much. Thanks to swami Radhanath for this wonderful blog.

  8. Dry speculation can’t be considered a useful knowledge. Thank you Radhanath Swami for this great message.

  9. Actually in earlier days children’s were bought up in homely spiritual atmosphere.The idea is to make there heart soft to receive advanced spiritual knowledge when they grow older.Radhanath Maharaj rightly says that all this things were targeted to cleanse the heart and to become humble servant of the God.

  10. “To learn simply for the sake of accumulating knowledge is one of the greatest obstacles to spiritual advancement.” it means everything what we hear must be tried for application in life else increases pride. amazing statement.

  11. ‘Unless the heart is properly ploughed and made receptive to receive the seed, the seed of knowledge will simply be lost.’ Thank you Radhanath Swami for making this wonderful point.

  12. Very good statement – to learn simplly for the purpose of accumulating knowledge is one of the greatest obstacles to spiritual advancement. Thank you Guru Maharaj.

  13. Thank you Radhanath Swami. In a world where everyone is blindly trying to accumulate knowledge, especially through the internet, this article helps one know so clearly what is to be known & what need not be known.

  14. Yes the modern art of accumulating knowledge which is based only on material conception and bereft of spiritual combination is the greatest obstacle on the path of one’s spiritual progress.When we were learning in school we had so many stories in our text books which are related to the spiritual topics and The God.Now a days these thing are missing and therefore the receptive hearts are becoming rare and rare.Short and sweet article.Thank you very much.

  15. Very powerful point – Knowledge is like a seed and our heart is like an agricultural field.

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