07.19 – Have the intelligence to doubt the supremacy of the intelligence
“Look at all the incredible advances that modern science has made – all thanks to our human intelligence.” Such thoughts impel many people to enthrone human intelligence as god. Consciously or unconsciously, they make it as the supreme arbiter of good or bad, even real or false.
Gita wisdom acknowledges the glory of human intelligence, but with an integrated vision, not a fragmented vision. It explains that we are all souls, parts of Krishna. And our human intelligence is a part of the divine intelligence of Krishna. The part works best when it is in harmony with the whole. So, our human intelligence works best when it is in harmony with Krishna’s supreme intelligence.
Our intelligence when working separated from Krishna may improve some things temporarily, but in the long run it ends up making things worst. With our intelligence, we have created cozy air-conditioned rooms for ourselves. But we have also set the environment ablaze with the ominous fires of climate change – caused largely by our indiscriminate exploitation of natural resources and the resulting disruption of natural balances.
Such a tunnel view of reality keeps us bound to worshiping on the altar of the false god of human intelligence.
It requires extraordinary intelligence to recognize the limits of our intelligence. No wonder the Bhagavad-gita (07.19) indicates that a precious few become truly intelligent (jnanavan) and surrender to Krishna, knowing him to be the essence underlying everything including even their own intelligence.
Paradoxically, we glorify our intelligence the best when we stop deifying it and acknowledge its limits. This paves the way for us to recognize the supreme intelligence of Krishna, enthrone him as the Supreme in our hearts and thereby gain access to his infinite intelligence through the process of devotional service.
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After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.