Srila Prabhupada’s definition of intelligence is not the same as the definition of intelligence that is generally employed in various intelligence tests and IQ tests and so on. Srila Prabhupada would say intelligence means that one acts intelligent. If you don’t act intelligent, that proves that you’re not intelligent. As simple as that. No matter what kind of capacity you have in terms of understanding things theoretically, if you don’t act properly, that means you’re not intelligent. As simple as that. That is Prabhupada’s philosophy.
When philosophy is not practical, then it has no meaning. Philosophy is after all supposed to be, an understanding of reality. So if philosophy no longer has any bearing on reality, then it’s just a waste of time.
So Srila Prabhupada would give us this definition of intelligence: One must act intelligently, and Krishna, “dadami buddhi-yogam tam.” He gives us intelligence, because all intelligence comes in relationship with Krishna, because after all, nothing exists outside of the relationship with Krishna. And therefore – and the whole purpose of existence is to always be engaged in service to Krishna, therefore the more one becomes aware of this, the more intelligent one is.
Transcribed by Bhakta Frederick
(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Sweden 2010)
