When we face problems, we need practical solutions, not philosophical solutions – how can scripture help?

Anwser Podcast

Transcription:

Duration: 3 min

Transcription by: Sundarinath das

Question: When we face problems, we need practical solutions, not philosophical solutions – how can scripture help?

Answer (short):
• Philosophy is meant to be practical. We should make best efforts but our efforts should be guided by the philosophical principles.
• On a flight, our plane may be going very fast, but if the pilot is not sure in which direction the plane is going, then the fast speed does not really matter.
• Both practical and philosophical are complementary.

Answer (long)
Philosophy is meant to be practical. If we look at the Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna was bewildered. He was thinking, whether to fight or not. Krishna gave him the guidance and the wisdom which energized him to fight. After that, he fought and won the war.

Now the question arises, did Arjuna win the war by the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita or by the knowledge of archery he learnt throughout his life?

It’s by both. Knowledge of Bhagavad-gita gave Arjuna the inspiration, but knowledge of archery helped him to practically implement things. This implies that the material and the spiritual are complimentary. The spiritual does not replace the material. Nor does the material make the spiritual unnecessary.

Srila Prabhupada spread Krishna consciousness all over the world, an unparalleled activity. Who can have more faith in Krishna than Srila Prabhupada? However, Srila Prabhupada did not just stay in Vrindavan chanting Hare Krishna. He practically went to America, approached people there, talked to them, persuaded them etc. He did a lot of practical things but at the same time he was profoundly philosophical in his approach. The philosophy guided his practical actions. He did not simply chant Hare Krishna and left everything else to happen by itself. On the contrary, Prabhupada chanted Hare Krishna and also did practical things.

The Kauravas also had the knowledge of archery but were they doing the right thing? Philosophy help us correctly identify the purpose for which we are working. We may do all the things practically right but if our essential purpose is wrong, then it is like climbing a ladder which is leaning against the wrong wall. On a flight, our plane may be going very fast, but if the pilot is not sure in which direction the plane is going, then does the speed really matter? Without philosophy, our life is like a directionless plane.

The philosophical and the practical, both are meant to go together in parallel. They are complimentary. That is what the Bhagavad-gita illustrates.

(End of answer)