Curiosity is natural for us. Usually, we are curious about material things such as sports, movies, prices and politics. But when we direct our curiosity towards spiritual things, we get the highest returns – we realize our spiritual identity and attain eternal happiness in devotion to Krishna.

“Be spiritually curious” is the starting aphorism of the Vedanta-sutra. Similarly, the Bhagavad-gita (07.16) lists the curious as one of the four categories of people who approach Krishna. Significantly, the next verse (07.17) declares the knowledgeable as the best. What differentiates the curious and the knowledgeable is their seriousness of purpose. The curious are often materially curious about spiritual things – they want to know about the outer, informational aspects of spiritual things. So, when their thirst for information is satisfied, they often stop enquiring, and their spiritual journey pauses. The knowledgeable, on the other hand, approach Krishna for deepening their realization of life’s spiritual realities, a quest that takes them to the highest spiritual experience: the supreme sweetness of Krishna.

When the curious see devotees relishing spiritual experiences centered on Krishna, their curiosity rises from material to spiritual – they seek not information, but transformation. 

The curious become serious if their curiosity connects them with serious devotees. When they see devotees relishing spiritual experiences centered on Krishna, their curiosity rises from material to spiritual – they seek not information, but transformation. When they start serving Krishna for spiritual enrichment, they glimpse his unparalleled sweetness and thus become earnest seekers.

Spiritual curiosity is important for not just seekers, but practitioners too. If we let our thirst for Krishna wane, we will find devotional activities becoming monotonous and burdensome. And we will cut corners, if not take breaks or even U-turns. However, if we associate with serious devotees, our spiritual curiosity will strengthen and we will practice bhakti-yoga intensely, thereby tasting Krishna. Being thus enlivened, we will march firmly towards him, till we ultimately realize and relish him as the substance of everything (07.19).

Explanation of article:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwYGWK4TStY
Podcast


Download by “right-click and save content”