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Is It Worthwhile Discussing Darwin's Theory? (refined and resent)

From the Bhakti List Archives

Venkat Nagarajan • May 22, 1999 


Dear bhagavatas,

This is something I have been contemplating for a
while and feel it is a worthwhile topic for discussion.
In fact, this topic is quite relevant given the current
discussion of mundane topics such as Darwin's theory
of evolution. I wrote to Sri. Krishna Kalale about this and
he gave me some feedback. I submit this refined outline,
of my (current and partial) understanding, for feedback.
Note I will continue with the posts on elements of
Vis'isTadvaita Vedanta this weekend.

Knowledge (dharmabhUta-jNAna) is a substance
(dravya) that inheres in the Jiva as an attribute.
This knowledge (dharmabhUta-jNAna), being
substance, is subject to modification due to Karma
(for Jiva's subject to karma.) These modifications bring
about different states of knowledge.  Knowledge can be
implicitly classified into two broad categories, mainly
spiritual and mundane. Spiritual knowledge is that which
is required to experience the bliss of Brahman.
Mundane knowledge is that which is not required for
experiencing the bliss of Brahman.

Given this, a mukthA is one who has fully expanded
dharmabhUta-jNAna in what sense?

-For the muktA, knowledge is in a state such that
the bliss of Brahman can be experienced in its
fullest form.

Then in what sense is a muktA omniscient or all knowing?
-If we think of the BrahmajNAna (knowledge
required to enjoy the bliss of Brahman in the fullest
form) as a subset (a particular state) of the universal
set of knowledge, then there are infinitely many subsets
(states) consisting of BrahmajNAna plus some other
extraneous knowledge; a muktA, by using its will, can
modify the dharmabhUta-jNAna to take on any one of
these states.

- You may ask why does a muktA need mundane
knowledge?

A friend of mine, who is perceptive and well learned,
pointed this out to me. A muktA or Nitya suri needs to
make use of mundane knowledge to transmit the spiritual
Knowledge.
(This is a terse but profound statement, I can elaborate
on this but was hoping that some of the more learned
members of the group can do that.)

A Baddha jivAtman, who aspires for moksha, should
cultivate BrahmajNAna, for that alone will help to
develop the conviction required for unconditional
surrender to Brahman. Extraneous (mundane) knowledge
is only helpful in the sense that it aids in the cultivation of BrahmajNAna.

Should this not be the sense in which extraneous knowledge
(or mundane knowledge) is viewed?

Given the above, how is Darwin's theory relevant to an
aspirant of mokshA, who's prarabdha karma is such that he
or she is in a field that does not involve the study of Darwin's
theory ?

Please note, I am not trying to argue that mundane
knowledge is totally useless; I am merely arguing that it is
only useful in the sense that it may help in the cultivation of
BrahmajNAna.

Adiyen,
Venkataramanan
krishNArpaNam