Page 76 - Shri Venkateswara Book

The material conception of life is called tamasa
buddhi. It means intelligence in ignorance. When
human intelligence is used for achieving sense
gratification instead of striving to understand Krishna,
it is called tamasa buddhi. Such misuse of intelligence
represents the genesis of the false ego by which the
living entity identifies with the temporary material
body and everything in relation to it.

However, like Vedavati, one may decide to use all
their human faculties to approach the Supreme Lord
with love and devotion. Lord Krishna says, “My dear
Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I
be understood as I am, standing before you, and can
thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter
into the mysteries of My understanding.” (Bg 11.54)

Vedavati engages in real tapasya
(austerity)

Austerity is any discomfort one may feel in
performing genuine service for the pleasure of God.
There is austerity of the body, speech and the mind
as explained by Lord Krishna.
“Austerity of the body consists in worship of the
Supreme Lord, the brāhmaṇas, the spiritual master,
and superiors like the father and mother, and in

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