‘Srila Prabhupada’s Aphorisms of Logic’
⁃ by London College of Vedic Studies
HH Bhakti Rasamrita Swami is known and respected for his exceptionally well structured and academic presentations on the Vedas. This special seminar ‘Srila Prabhupada’s Aphorisms of Logic’ was no exception to the high standard that he always delivers.
Maharaja explained that an aphorism is a concise and catchy expression of a general truth or principle. An aphorism is referred to as a ‘sutra’ in the Vedic teachings. The word ‘nyaya’ refers to logic.
Srila Prabhupada would often use such sutras of logic (‘nyaya sutras’) to explain philosophical and general principles. These sutras are very useful, ‘fun’ tools for deepening and clarifying our philosophical understanding.
During the seminar we discussed a collection of Srila Prabhupada’s favourite nyaya aphorisms, along with examples of the points he would use to illustrate them with. One favourite example is the humorous aphorism of the ‘frog in the well’. To paraphrase, a frog lives in a well and his friend comes one day to relay a great discovery; describing the limitless expanse of the ocean. To which the frog haughtily compares its size to the dimensions of his own well. Herein, due to his limited understanding of size, he misses the point.
Who can say they have not had a ‘frog’ moment like that at least once? By comparing new experiences or attaching our limited knowledge to the vastness of spiritual truth, when we could broaden our horizon so much further if only we could see with fresh eyes, uncontaminated by our material conditioning.
We came across many curious sounding terms like the ‘logic of the half hen’, the ‘logic of the blind man and the lame man’, the ‘logic of the tree branch and the man’ and so on. Maharaja had the audience fixed with rapt attention and enthusiasm on his every, carefully measured and perfectly articulated word. We will be waiting with bated breath for the next opportunity to host one of his excellent seminars again at the London College of Vedic Studies.
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