When we perceive an object with our senses, the process of perception itself produces a change in our mental state (vṛtti). Since the mind is material and is subject to transformation, how can it perceive either the pure self or Brahman, which are free from transformation?
Śrī Kṛṣṇa states this directly to Uddhava:
“Knowledge related to Me is free from the material guṇas” (man-niṣṭhaṁ nirguṇaṁ smṛtam, i.e., “it is transcendental,” SB 11.25.24).
Since knowledge of the pure self or Brahman is beyond the faculties of the mind and senses, it could not possibly arise from any propensity of the heart dependent on mental or sensual faculties that are in a constant state of instability due to the ebb and flow of the material guṇas:
"Just as various rivers flow into the ocean, which is ever full and immovable, similarly a person in whom all enjoyments merge without causing any disturbance attains peace; but not a person who hankers after such enjoyments." (Gītā 2.70)
One of the revolutionary ideas that Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī is pointing out to us is that Brahman realization is impossible without the mercy of God, which comes only as a result of the being’s participation in devotion. In other words, Brahman realization is impossible without engagement in bhakti-yoga. Thus, even the followers of Śaṅkarācārya, the chief protagonist of brahma-jñāna in recent times, must imbibe the spirit of devotion [which is to say, they must wed devotion to jñāna] to attain perfection in their path. Otherwise, they encounter only misery in the form of repeated birth and death.
Śrī Kṛṣṇa states this directly to Uddhava:
“Knowledge related to Me is free from the material guṇas” (man-niṣṭhaṁ nirguṇaṁ smṛtam, i.e., “it is transcendental,” SB 11.25.24).
Since knowledge of the pure self or Brahman is beyond the faculties of the mind and senses, it could not possibly arise from any propensity of the heart dependent on mental or sensual faculties that are in a constant state of instability due to the ebb and flow of the material guṇas:
"Just as various rivers flow into the ocean, which is ever full and immovable, similarly a person in whom all enjoyments merge without causing any disturbance attains peace; but not a person who hankers after such enjoyments." (Gītā 2.70)
One of the revolutionary ideas that Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī is pointing out to us is that Brahman realization is impossible without the mercy of God, which comes only as a result of the being’s participation in devotion. In other words, Brahman realization is impossible without engagement in bhakti-yoga. Thus, even the followers of Śaṅkarācārya, the chief protagonist of brahma-jñāna in recent times, must imbibe the spirit of devotion [which is to say, they must wed devotion to jñāna] to attain perfection in their path. Otherwise, they encounter only misery in the form of repeated birth and death.
Thank you for the quiz.