Two views of the role of intelligence in bhakti

Two views of the role of intelligence in bhakti – Bhakti practitioners often view intelligence ambivalently. On a negative side, they feel that overuse of intelligence may make them dry jnanis, critical intellectuals bereft of devotion. On a positive side, they acknowledge that many of the greatest devotee-teachers have used their intelligence to write serious philosophical works. And they wrote books not just to convince intellectuals but also to guide practitioners.

Combining these two sides, let’s consider two views of the role of intelligence.

Instrumental role: Intelligence is a tool we can use to serve Krishna. If we have drawing ability, musical ability or decorating ability, we will use them in Krishna’s service. Similarly, if we have intellectual ability, why should we not use it in Krishna’s service? We certainly can and should. First, we can use our intelligence to convince ourselves to keep doing devotional activities even when we don’t feel inspired to do so. Second, we can use our intelligence to explain to others bhakti principles and practices. By such coherent and cogent explanations, we can encourage and equip them to connect with Krishna. Further, we can use our intelligence to write about Krishna wisdom, thereby contributing to the literary legacy of the living bhakti tradition. 

Integral roles: If we truly love someone, we long to offer them our entire being, doing everything we do for them as well as we can. Similarly, As our intelligence is presently a part of who we are, we would naturally want to offer even our intelligence to our Lord. We can use our intelligence to not only improve our various offerings to our Lord, but to also make intellectual offerings such as composing devotional songs and poetry for the Lord’s pleasure. Pointing to this integral role of intelligence in devotion, the Bhagavad-gita (18.70) states that those who study the Gita worship Krishna with their intelligence.

One-sentence summary:

Intelligence isn’t just instrumental to devotion, being a tool to serve Krishna better; it is also integral to devotion, being a part of our being that we offer to him. 

Think it over:

• How does intelligence play an instrumental role in devotion?
• How does intelligence play an integral role in devotion?
• In your bhakti practice, what roles has intelligence played?

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18.70: And I declare that he who studies this sacred conversation of ours worships Me by his intelligence.