Volume 3 - Prabhupada Books

Text 245] Talks Between the Lord and Ramananda Raya 241
TRANSLATION
On one occasion, the Lord inquired, "Of all types of education, which is the
most important?" Ramananda Raya replied, "There is no education that is im­
portant other than the transcendental devotional service of Kr�r;1a."
PURPORT
Texts 245 to 257 are all questions and answers between Sri Caitanya
Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya. In these exchanges there is an attempt to
show the difference between material and spiritual existence. Education in Kr�Qa
consciousness is always transcendental and is the best of all forms of education.
Material education aims at increasing the activities of material sense gratification.
Beyond material sense gratification is another negative form of knowledge called
brahma-vidya, or transcendental knowledge. However, beyond that brahma­
vidya, or knowledge of the impersonal Brahman, is knowledge of devotional ser­
vice to the Supreme Lord, Vi�QU. This knowledge is higher. And higher still is devo­
tional service to Lord Kr�t:Ja, which is the topmost form of education. According to
Srimad-Bhagavatam (4.29.49):
tat karma hari-to?aril yat
sa vidya tan-matir yaya
"Work meant for pleasing the Supreme Lord is best, and education that enhances
one's Krsna consciousness is the best."
·
Also, ��cording to Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.5.23-24):
sravaf)ariJ kirtanariJ Vi$f)OQ
smaraf)aril pada-sevanam
arcanaril vandanaril dasyam
sakhyam atma-nivedanam
iti purilsarpita vi?Qau
bhaktis cen nava-lak$af)a
kriyeta bhagavaty addha
tan manye 'dhitam uttamam
This is a statement given by Prahlada Maharaja in answer to a question raised by
his father. Prahlada Maharaja said, "To hear or chant about Lord Vi�Qu, to remem­
ber Him, to serve His lotus feet, to worship Him, to offer prayers to Him, to be­
come His servant and His friend, to sacrifice everything for His service-all these
are varieties of devotional service . One who is engaged in such activities is under­
stood to be educated to the topmost perfection."