Eighth Theme: The best tools to achieve knowledge

 

In the ninth section we will determine which is the most reliable instrument of knowledge to establish, without fear of being mistaken, what Sambandha, Abhideya and Prayojana are. Srila Jiva Gosvami has already mentioned that these are the main themes that will be dealt with by the work he has begun to compose (the Bhagavata-sandarbha). While these issues will be addressed again and again during our study of Tattva-sandarbha, we think it is useful to summarize what is meant by Sambandha, Abhidheya and Prayojana.

 

These three words can be taken as a summary of the Gaudiya Vaishnava philosophy, categories proposed by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu himself, when His disciple Sanatana Gosvami asked Him what His identity and position was within creation.  Lord Caitanya replied that the Vedas had three purposes:

 

The first is to make clear what are the relationships that unite souls with Krsna (Sambandha). 

The second is to establish the right ways to act according to those relationships (Abhidheya). 

And the third is the attainment of the ultimate goal (Prayojana), which is total realization and final union (yoga) with our origin.

 

Evidently, Sri Gauranga Mahaprabhu believed that this issue was of fundamental importance, as he has addressed it on other occasions. 

This is a section of the book “Tattva Sandarbha”, in English.

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