Page 1 - May-2025

Jïäna: The Greatest Gift

n the broad spectrum of dänam – offering food, shelter, and
Iresources to those in need – the gift of knowledge is regarded as the
highest form of charity. Manu Smriti states: sarveñämeva dänänäà
brahmadänaà viçiñyate, väryannagomahéväsas, tilakäïcanasarpiñäm – the
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giving of the Veda (Knowledge), surpasses all gifts of water, food,
cows, buffaloes, clothes, sesamum, gold, and clarified butter. All
the others provide temporary satisfaction; whereas this knowledge
grants Liberation – sävidyä yä vimuktaye. Shri Krishna points out:
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na hi jïänena sadåçaà pavitramiha vidyate – there is no purifier in this
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world like divine knowledge. Furthermore, extolling the greatness
of one who imparts it, the Lord states: na ca tasmän-manuñyeñu kaçcin-
me priya-kåttamaù bhavitä na ca me tasmäd-anyaù priyataro bhuvi – nor
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is there any human being who does dearer service to Me, nor shall
there be another on Earth dearer to Me.
Truly, Bhagavan’s words manifested in the form of our Pujya
Gurudev. A visionary Teacher, he devoted every breath to reviving
Vedantic wisdom. From the first jïäna yajïa in 1951 to over 500
yajïas and numerous camps spanning 42 years, from training
hundreds of teachers to opening diverse avenues for spiritual growth –
he made this sacred knowledge accessible to all. His legacy is not
confined to books or videos – but lives on as a dynamic tradition
that continues to inspire generations.

Pujya Gurudev embodied the highest service – imparting
knowledge. In doing so, he gave us the greatest gift – the gift of inner
transformation and lasting happiness. We can never repay even a
fraction of what he gave. All we can do is study, imbibe, share our
knowledge, and serve his Mission – with gratitude and
dedication.

1 Manu Smriti, 4,233 Editorial
2 Vishnu Purana, 1.19.41
3 Bhagavad Gita, 4.38
4 Ibid., 18.68–69

Tapovan Prasad 7 May 2025