Hare Krsna,
It is a well-established fact that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not perceivable through the gross material senses. According to Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.234, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa’s name, fame, pastimes, etc., cannot be understood by material senses. Only to one who is engaged in pure devotional service under proper guidance is He revealed.
There are various grades of bhakti. With respect to the context we are discussing in this lesson, two of the varieties of bhakti are Jnana-sunya-bhakti (bhakti free from all speculative knowledge) and Jnana-misra-bhakti (bhakti mixed with speculative knowledge). Out of this two, Jnana-sunya-bhakti is superior to Jnana-misra-bhakti.
This is verified by Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī in his Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu (1.1.11):
anyābhilāṣitā–śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam
ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu- śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā
“One should render transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa favorably and without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation. That is called pure devotional service.”
Therefore, one should discard jnana-misra-bhakti and take to jnana-sunya-bhakti. The former cannot lead one to pure love of Godhead. In jnana-sunya-bhakti, there is a complete manifestation of
sambandha-jïäna, or knowledge of one’s relationship with Bhagavän. However, in the path of jnana-misra-bhakti, the jiva simply becomes a dry speculator. Upon the awakening of good fortune, by the influence of the association of pure devotees, one very quickly achieves prema–bhakti. In such a position all obstacles are gradually destroyed.
In relation to jnana-sunya-bhakti, Sri Ramananda Raya quoted the prayer of Lord Brahma (SB 10.14.3)
“My dear Lord, those devotees who have thrown away the impersonal conception of the Absolute Truth and have therefore abandoned discussing empiric philosophical truths should hear from self-realized devotees about Your holy name, form, pastimes and qualities. They should completely follow the principles of devotional service and remain free from illicit sex, gambling, intoxication and animal slaughter. Surrendering themselves fully with body, words and mind, they can live in any āśrama or social status. Indeed, You are conquered by such persons, although You are always unconquerable.”
By presenting this verse from Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Çré Rämänanda Räya has made it totally clear that the sädhaka is able to achieve everything by only hearing hari-kathä from the mouths of the unalloyed devotees. To obtain sambandha, abhidheya, and prayojana (knowledge of the relationship, process, and ultimate goal) rests on the basis of this hari-kathä, which is both the sädhya (goal) and the sadhana (process).
Therefore the key message is that in this Age of Kali Yuga, the best means to attain self-realization is through the process of bhakti beginning with hearing and chanting.
“This age of Kali is not at all suitable for self-realization by the methods practiced in Satya-yuga, the golden age, or Tretā– or Dvāpara-yugas, the silver and copper ages. For self-realization, the people in Satya-yuga, living a lifetime of a hundred thousand years, were able to perform prolonged meditation. And in Tretā-yuga, when the duration of life was ten thousand years, self-realization was attained by performance of great sacrifice. And in the Dvāpara-yuga, when the duration of life was one thousand years, self-realization was attained by worship of the Lord. But in the Kali-yuga, the maximum duration of life being one hundred years only and that combined with various difficulties, the recommended process of self-realization is that of hearing and chanting of the holy name, fame, and pastimes of the Lord.” (SB 1.1.21, Purport)
Just by thirstily endeavoring to hear the topics of Sré Kåñëa (hari-kathä), a person is not merely liberated, but he subjugates the Supreme Lord. If someone tries to obtain jnana alone, then just like a person threshing empty husks of rice, he achieves nothing.
“My dear Lord, devotional service unto You is the best path for self-realization. If someone gives up that path and engages in the cultivation of speculative knowledge, he will simply undergo a troublesome process and will not achieve his desired result. As a person who beats an empty husk of wheat cannot get grain, one who simply speculates cannot achieve self-realization. His only gain is trouble.” (SB 10.14.4)
I think it may be fair to say that say that this jïäna-çünyä-bhakti is one of the milestone on the path to attain prema-bhakti (as elucidated by Sri Ramananda Raya in his conversation with Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu). Real success lies in hearing and chanting the sweet name, form, qualities and pastimes of the Supreme Lord in the association of like-minded and serious devotees – as we are engaging here in this Sadhu Sanga course.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 