1 WHY IS VEDIC KNOWLEDGE A MORE AUTHENTIC SOURCE
OF KNOWLEDGE THAN THAT OBTAINED THROUGH THE
MIND AND SENSES ? 3 MARKS
The Vedic knowledge is considered more authentic than knowledge obtained through the
mind and senses due to its origin and transmission through a disciplic succession. It is received from
authoritative sources, such as Brahmā and Nārada, who received it directly from the Supreme Lord.
This knowledge is called śabda-pramāṇa or śruti, which means it is acquired through aural reception
and not through experimental or speculative means.
IMPERFECT SENSES AND MIND
Our senses and mind are imperfect, prone to mistakes and subject to illusion. Direct evidence
obtained through the senses is not reliable as our senses are limited and imperfect. Inductive
knowledge, based on hypotheses and theories, is also not perfect. Therefore, to overcome these
limitations, one must rely on the Vedic knowledge, which is received from authoritative sources and
has been tested and verified over time.
AUTHORITY OF THE VEDAS
The Vedas are considered the mother of all knowledge, and the spiritual master is the bona fide
representative of the Vedas. Just as we accept our mother's authority in identifying our father, we
accept the Vedas as the ultimate authority in understanding the Absolute Truth and spiritual
knowledge. The Vedas are not compilations of human knowledge but come from the spiritual world,
from Lord
(Intro 6th,9th, 10th para, M1 Purport 1th para )
2 HOW IS BHAGAVAN REALISATION THE MOST COMPLETE
UNDERSTANDING OF TRANSCENDENCE ? 3 MARKS
Bhagavan realization encompasses the complete conception of the Absolute Truth, surpassing the
partial realizations of Brahman and Paramatma.
Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is Sat-cid-ananda-vigraha: possesses infinite
knowledge and transcendental potencies.
Brahman realization is the realization of His sat feature, the aspect of eternity.
Paramatma realization is the realization of His sat and cit features, the aspects of eternity
and knowledge.
Bhagavan realization, however, encompasses the realization of all transcendental features:
sat, cit, and ānanda (bliss).
It is only achieved through devotion and surrender to the Lord. Realizing the Personality of
Godhead leads to a comprehensive understanding of the Absolute Truth in its entirety.
(Invo 1st para)
BHAGAVAT-SANDARBHA
In the Bhagavat-sandarbha, Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī explains the deep meanings of "bhagavān" syllables.
"Bha" signifies "one who fully maintains" and "guardian."
"Ga" means "guide," "leader," or "creator."
"Vān" indicates that every being lives in Him, and He lives in every being.
The sound "bhagavān" represents infinite knowledge and potency.
Bhagavan realization is the complete understanding of the Absolute Truth.
(M16 Pur 5th Para)
3 HOW CAN THE LIVING ENTITY REALISE ITS
COMPLETENESS ? 3 MARKS
3.1 REALIZING COMPLETENESS IN RELATION TO THE COMPLETE WHOLE
Living entity's completeness realized through understanding its relationship with the
Complete Whole.
Incompleteness arises from incomplete knowledge of the Complete Whole.
Human form of life represents a complete manifestation of consciousness after evolving
through different species.
Failure to realize completeness leads to rebirth in the Saṃsāra, cycle of birth and death.
Realizing completeness achieved through engaging in service to the Complete Whole.
All other services in the world remain incomplete until connected with the Complete Whole.
(Invo Pur 3-5 Para)
4 ANSWER THE FOLLOWING INQUIRY BASED UPON
MANTRA 1 : “IF EVERYTHING BELONG TO KRISHNA, CAN
I TAKE YOUR LAUNDRY SOAP WITHOUT ASKING?” 3
MARKS
The Lord is the possessor of all potencies and the benefactor of everyone. He is full of opulence,
power, fame, beauty, knowledge, and renunciation. Therefore, one should be intelligent enough to
know that except for the Lord, no one is a proprietor of anything.
Isopanisad mantra 1 says “tena tyaktena bhujīthā mā gṛdhaḥ kasya svid dhanam “
So we should accept only those things that are set aside by the Lord as His quota and one must not
accept other things. So, taking someone else's belongings without asking would not be in line with
this understanding.
(M1 Pur 8th Para,)
5 DEFINE KARMA, VIKARMA AND AKARMA. HOW WOULD
YOU CATEGORISE WORK DONE IN THE ISAVASYAM
CONCEPTION? 6 MARKS
5.1 KARMA, VIKARMA, AND AKARMA
Karma - Actions performed in accordance with one's prescribed duties mentioned in the
Vedic literature.
Vikarma - Actions that are performed through the misuse of one's freedom and lead to
lower life forms.
Akarma - Actions that free one from the bondage of karma and the cycle of birth and death.
(M2 Pur 1st 2nd Para)
5.2 WORK IN THE ISAVASYAM CONCEPTION
In the Isavasyam conception, work is categorized as karma-yoga, which is the path of selfless
action performed in the spirit of devotion to the Supreme Lord. It involves performing one's
prescribed duties without attachment to the results and with the understanding that everything is
controlled and owned by the Lord. This type of work leads to liberation and freedom from the cycle
of birth and death. (M2 Pur 4th Para)
6 WHO IS A “KILLER OF SOUL”? 2 MARKS
6.1 THE KILLER OF THE SOUL
The term "killer of the soul" refers to a person who does not fully utilize their human life for self-
realization. According to the teachings of Śrī Īśopaniṣad, the soul obtains a human form after many
millions of years of evolution. The human body is compared to a boat designed to cross the ocean of
material existence, and the scriptures and saintly teachers are compared to expert boatmen. If a
human being fails to utilize their life for spiritual growth, they are considered a "killer of the soul"
and are destined to suffer in ignorance. (M3 Pur 2th para )
7 WHY CAN EVEN THE GREAT DEMIGODS MISUNDERSTAND
KRISHNA’S POSITION? 4 MARKS
7.1 MISUNDERSTANDING KRISHNA'S POSITION
The great demigods can misunderstand Krishna's position because they are not fully aware of
His transcendental nature and supreme authority. They may see Him as a powerful demigod or an
ordinary mortal being, but they fail to recognize His true identity as the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. Their limited knowledge and perception prevent them from understanding Krishna's
divine nature and the extent of His power and glory. Only those who are devoted to Krishna and
have surrendered to Him can truly comprehend His true position and realize His supreme authority.
(M4 Pur 4th para-)
8 WHAT DOES CONTRADICTORY QUALITIES OF THE LORD
PROVE ? 4 MARKS
The contradictory qualities of the Lord prove His inconceivable power and transcendental
nature. While the Lord is omnipotent and can manifest Himself in various forms, He is not subject to
the limitations of material energy. He can accept service through any medium and convert His
potencies according to His will. Nonbelievers may argue that the Lord cannot incarnate or that He
descends in a form of material energy, but these arguments are nullified by the existence of the
Lord's inconceivable potencies. The Lord can appear in material forms, such as Deity forms, and still
be worshiped as the Supreme Lord. The arcā-vigraha, although made of matter, is not an idol but an
approachable form of the Lord. The Lord's inconceivable potencies allow Him to utilize different
energies according to His will.
(M4 Pur)
9 HOW IS THE MADHYAMA VAISNAVA OR ADIKARI
DIFFERENT FROM KANISTHA ? 4 MARKS
The kaniṣṭha-adhikārī is in the lowest stage of realization. He goes to a place of worship, such as a
temple, church or mosque, according to his religious faith, and worships there according to scriptural
injunctions. Devotees in this stage consider the Lord to be present at the place of worship and
nowhere else. They cannot ascertain who is in what position in devotional service, nor can they tell
who has realized the Supreme Lord. Such devotees follow the routine formulas and sometimes
quarrel among themselves, considering one type of devotion better than another. These kaniṣṭha-
adhikārīs are actually materialistic devotees who are simply trying to transcend the material
boundary to reach the spiritual plane.
Those who have attained the second stage of realization are called madhyama-adhikārīs. These
devotees observe the distinctions between four categories of being:
(1) the Supreme Lord
(2) the devotees of the Lord
(3) the innocent, who have no knowledge of the Lord
(4) the atheists, who have no faith in the Lord and hate those in devotional service.
The madhyama-adhikārī behaves differently toward these four classes of person. He adores the
Lord, considering Him the object of love; he makes friends with those who are in devotional service;
he tries to awaken the dormant love of God in the hearts of the innocent; and he avoids the atheists,
who deride the very name of the Lord.
(M6 Pur 1st & 2nd Para)
10 FROM MANTRA 7, PLEASE EXPLAIN TWO WAYS TO
UNDERSTAND HOW THE SOUL AND GOD ARE ONE. 4
MARKS
10.1 TWO WAYS TO UNDERSTAND THE ONENESS OF THE SOUL AND GOD
Through Spiritual Knowledge: According to the Vedic scriptures, the soul and God are one in their
spiritual identity. By cultivating spiritual knowledge and understanding the teachings of the
scriptures, one can realize this oneness. This knowledge helps us see beyond the external differences
and recognize the spiritual essence that exists within all living beings.
Through Surrender and Devotion: Another way to understand the oneness of the soul and God is
through surrender and devotion. When we surrender ourselves to the Supreme Lord and engage in
devotional service, we develop a deep connection with Him. Through this loving relationship, we can
experience the unity and oneness that exists between the soul and God.
Both these approaches, the path of knowledge and the path of devotion, lead to the realization of
the soul's inherent connection with God. By understanding and experiencing this oneness, we can
transcend the material world and attain spiritual liberation.
(M7 Pur 4th 5th para)
11 WHAT IS THE VALUE OF UNDERSTANDING THE LORD HAS
NO VEINS 3 MARKS
Understanding that the Lord has no veins is valuable because it helps us realize that His
transcendental body is completely different from ours. His body is not made of material elements
and is not subject to the limitations and defects of the material body. This knowledge helps us
develop a proper understanding of the Lord's divine nature and transcendental existence. It also
helps us appreciate His omnipotence and purity.
(M8 Pur)
12 HOW CAN KNOWLEDGE BE CONSIDERED WORSE THAN
IGNORANCE? 4 MARKS
12.1 KNOWLEDGE AND IGNORANCE
Knowledge can be considered worse than ignorance when it is mistaken or misguided. In the
modern world, there is a focus on material advancement and mass education, but this has led to
people being more unhappy than ever before. The stress on materialism has overshadowed the
spiritual aspect of life, causing a sense of dissatisfaction and unhappiness.
(M9 Pur)
13 WHAT ARE SOME OF THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A DHIRA ?
6 MARKS
13.1 QUALIFICATIONS OF A DHIRA
A dhira is someone who is not disturbed by material illusion and has perfect spiritual realization.
They neither hanker nor lament for anything and make the best use of the material body and mind
they have acquired. They understand that the material world is dead and that it is the living souls,
the parts and parcels of the supreme living being, who move the world. Dhiras acquire knowledge
from superior authorities and follow the regulative principles. They take shelter of a bona fide
spiritual master and submissively hear from them. Arjuna, for example, became a dhira by
submissively hearing from Lord Krishna Himself. The spiritual master must be as good as the Lord
Himself.
(M10 Pur 6th para)
14 WHAT IS THE VALUE OF VEDIC ACTIVITIES OF
RELIGIOUS SENSE GRATIFICATION? 4 MARKS
14.1 THE VALUE OF VEDIC ACTIVITIES OF RELIGIOUS SENSE
GRATIFICATION
Vedic activities of religious sense gratification have a specific value in the overall system of Vedic
knowledge. These activities are regulated in the Vedas under the principles of salvation. They serve
as a means to maintain a healthy body and mind, which is necessary for self-realization. However, it
is important to note that the purpose of religion is not solely for economic development or sense
gratification. The ultimate goal of Vedic knowledge is to attain self-realization and understand the
Absolute Truth.
(M11 Pur 13th para)
15 BRIEFLY EXPLAIN WHY ONE CANNOT KNOW WHAT THE
ABSOLUTE TRUTH IS BY NEGATION. 4 MARKS
15.1 THE LIMITATIONS OF NEGATION IN UNDERSTANDING THE ABSOLUTE
TRUTH
The absolute truth cannot be fully understood through negation because negation only provides a
limited understanding of the concept. By negating material qualities and forms, one can only reach
the impersonal effulgence of God, known as Brahman, but cannot progress further to understand
the Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan. Negation alone does not reveal the transcendental qualities,
eternal bliss, and knowledge of the Absolute Person, Krishna. The dependent demigods and great
sages may consider the Absolute to be formless and without qualities, but the devotees of Krishna,
through their unalloyed devotion and surrender, can understand that He is the Absolute Person from
whom everything emanates.
15.2 THE IMPORTANCE OF SURRENDER AND DEVOTIONAL SERVICE
To truly understand the Absolute Truth, one must surrender to Him and engage in devotional
service. The fallen condition of living entities is due to forgetfulness of their relationship with God. By
surrendering to Krishna and engaging in devotional service, one can attain complete freedom from
the bondage of birth and death. Material knowledge and accomplishments are temporary and
cannot bring real happiness. Only through knowledge and detachment gained from serving the Lord
can one attain permanent relief on the spiritual plane, where eternal bliss, life, and knowledge exist.
15.3 THE DANGER OF MISGUIDED RELIGION AND IMPERSONAL
CONCEPTIONS
Misguided religionists and impersonalists who violate Vedic injunctions and mislead others are liable
to enter into the darkest regions of ignorance. They may pose as great scholars or incarnations of
God, but without knowledge of the science of Krishna described in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-
Bhagavatam, their teachings are misleading. Worshiping demigods or engaging in temporary relief
work cannot bring real and permanent life. The path to salvation from material clutches depends on
knowledge and detachment gained from serving the Lord, not on temporary material
accomplishments or philanthropic activities disguised as religious principles.
15.4 THE NEED FOR REAL KNOWLEDGE AND THE RIGHT PATH
Real knowledge can only be developed by following the eighteen items of knowledge mentioned in
the scriptures. All other methods are considered to be in the category of nescience. Material
knowledge is external and illusory, and by cultivating it, one becomes no better than an ass. The
Vedic scheme is meant to educate individuals in the art of attaining eternal life and to save
themselves and others in the right way.
(M12 pur)
16 HOW WOULD YOU COUNTER SOMEONE WHO PREACHED
THAT “ALL PATH LEAD TO THE SAME GOAL” ? 4 MARKS
16.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF A BONA FIDE SPIRITUAL MASTER
In the Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Krishna emphasizes the significance of receiving knowledge from a bona
fide spiritual master who is in the recognized line of disciplic succession. These self-proclaimed
spiritual masters who claim that all paths lead to the same goal are not connected to the authentic
system of disciplic succession. It is essential to understand that the real thing can only be obtained
through the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master.
16.2 THE ANALOGY OF PURCHASING A TICKET
Just as a person can only reach their desired destination by purchasing a ticket for that specific place,
one can only attain the supreme goal by following the prescribed path. The so-called spiritual
masters who claim that any and all paths will lead to the same goal are misleading and
compromising. The Vedic instructions do not support such claims. It is crucial to seek knowledge
from a bona fide spiritual master who is in the recognized line of disciplic succession to attain the
real goal.
16.3 THE NECESSITY OF SURRENDERING TO THE SUPREME LORD
The prime teaching of the Bhagavad-gītā is to surrender unto the Supreme Lord alone and give up all
other processes. Unfortunately, this teaching has been misinterpreted, leading people to focus on
temporary relief work rather than entering the spiritual kingdom through devotional service. The
Vedic scriptures aim to educate individuals in the art of attaining eternal life and emphasize the
necessity of surrendering to the Supreme Lord for salvation.
(M13 Pur 1-2 para )
17 WHAT IS THE MAIN THEME OF MANTRA 14 AND
PURPORT ? 4 MARKS
The main theme of mantra 14 is that there are different results obtained by worshiping the Supreme
Lord and by worshiping what is not supreme. The mantra emphasizes the importance of hearing
from undisturbed authorities who have real transcendental knowledge. It highlights the need to
worship the Supreme Lord, who is the cause of all causes, in order to attain the desired result.
The purport of mantra 14 explains the significance of hearing from a bona fide spiritual master who
has received knowledge from his undisturbed ācārya. It emphasizes that worshiping the Supreme
Lord leads to different results compared to worshiping what is not supreme. The purport also
mentions that the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrī Īśopaniṣad both verify that different modes of worship yield
different outcomes. It highlights the importance of hearing from authentic sources to gain the real
key to transcendental knowledge.
18 HOW DOES MANTRA 15 PROVE THE SUPREMACY OF THE
PERSONAL FEATURE OF GODHEAD? 4 MARKS
Mantra 15 of Śrī Īśopaniṣad states that the Personality of Godhead is swifter than the mind and can
overcome all others running. The demigods, who control natural phenomena like air, light, and rain,
cannot approach Him. He is the source of all spiritual and material worlds, and everything emanates
from Him. This mantra emphasizes that the Supreme Lord is a sentient being and is supreme over all
other living entities. It proves the supremacy of the personal feature of Godhead by highlighting His
transcendental qualities and abilities that surpass all others.
19 HOW ARE THE LORD AND THE SOUL DIFFERENT
ACCORDING TO THE FINAL VERSES OF SRI ISOPANISAD? 4
MARKS
The Lord and the soul are different in their nature and qualities. The Lord is the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, full of transcendental bliss, knowledge, and eternal life. He is the ultimate source of
everything and is beyond the material energy. On the other hand, the soul is a tiny part and parcel of
the Lord, with limited potency and activity. The soul is subject to the influence of material nature
and can experience birth, death, and the miseries of material existence. The Lord is always present
within the heart of every living being, guiding and protecting those who surrender to Him.
20 HOW DOES THE LORD ASSIST HIS DEVOTEES IN COMING
TO HIM ? 3MARKS
The Lord always helps the pure devotees by imparting necessary knowledge within their hearts, and
thus out of His special favor He dissipates all the darkness of ignorance. The speculative philosophers
and yogīs cannot imagine this, because they more or less depend on their own strength. As stated in
the Kaṭha Upaniṣad (1.2.23), the Lord can be known only by those whom He favors, and not by
anyone else. Such special favors are bestowed upon His pure devotees only. Śrī Īśopaniṣad thus
points to the favor of the Lord, which is beyond the purview of the brahmajyoti.
(M16 Pur last para)
21 WHAT TWO WAYS DOES THE LORD GUIDES THE
DEVOTEE ? 3 MARKS
The Lord guides the devotee in two ways:
Through saints, scriptures, and spiritual masters: The Lord provides directions to the sincere devotee
through the guidance of saints, scriptures, and spiritual masters. By surrendering oneself to the Lord
and following the instructions given by these sources, the devotee is protected and guided in all
aspects of life.
Through the Lord Himself: The Lord, who resides within the heart of everyone, also guides the
devotee directly. By fully surrendering to the Lord and acting in accordance with His directions, the
devotee is enlightened with Vedic knowledge and protected from falling into the illusions of material
existence. The Lord's guidance ensures that the devotee reaches the ultimate destination of
perfection.
(M18 Pur 7th para)
22 IS BIRTHRIGHT A QUALIFICATION FOR KNOWING
KRISHNA? 2 MARKS
Birthright is not a qualification for knowing Krishna. While being born into a Brahmin family may
provide a favorable environment for spiritual growth, one still needs to acquire the qualities and
qualifications of a true Brahmin. Merely being proud of one's birth as a Brahmin without developing
the necessary qualities can lead to degradation and hinder the path of self-realization. The
Bhagavad-gita assures that those who have fallen from the path of self-realization are given
opportunities to rectify themselves by taking birth in families of good Brahmins or wealthy
merchants, which provide higher chances for spiritual realization. However, if these opportunities
are misused, one loses the valuable chance of human life.
(M18 Pur 2nd para)
