Making our scriptural study relevant
3 questions:
- What did this mean in its original context?
- What is the context-independent principle here?
- How does that principle apply in my context?
The more specific something is, the less universal it seems – unless we climb up the ladder of abstraction
Two meanings of original – for subjective interpretation (eg abstract art), original = originating from me; for objective comprehension (eg road sign), original = as it meant originally
Context determined externally by tradition, culture, mood and logic
How Prabhupada made scripture relevant:
Eg. Translated Prahlad prayer – ears attracted to radio songs; Gita 15.06 – included electricity; happiness of Vaikuntha like ocean of LSD
Learn to see context – Don’t mistake what is in scripture with what scripture teaches.
Eg. Hiranyakashipu praises Brahma as Supreme
Eg. Papa-yonayah in Gita 9.32 as fourth category