Song 10. Kalyana Kalpa-taru:

MUNDANE KNOWLEDGE IS MOST HARMFUL:

Mana re, keno koro vidyAr gauraba
Smriti-shAstra, byAkarana, nAnA-bhAshA-Alochana,
Briddhi kore’ jAser saurabha

(1)
Oh mind, why do you give such importance to mundane knowledge ? Your discussion and diliberation on the smriti scriptures, various languages and grammar certainly increases the sweet fragrance of your own material reputation, name and fame.

Kintu dekho chintA kori’, jadi nA bhajile hari,
VidyA tabe kevala rauraba
Krishna prati anurakti, sei beeje janme bhakti
VidyA ho’te tAhA asambhava

(2)
But just look here and consider this for your judgement. If you have not worshipped Lord Hari, then all your so-called knowledge is just like a vicious hell. True devotional service actually takes its birth from the seed of attraction and affection for Krishna. Such a seed is impossible to get by the cultivation of ordinary worldly knowledge.

VidyAr mArjana tA’r, kabhu kabhu apakAr,
Jagatete kori anubhava
Je vidyAr Alochane, krishna-rati sphure mane,
TAhAri Adara jAno’ saba

(3)
I feel that the hair-splitting scrutiny of mundane knowledge is actually harmful. On the other hand, everyone will appreciate the cultivation of that transcendental knowledge which awakens love and attachment for Krishna within the mind.

Bhakti bAdhA jAhA ho’te, se vidyAr mastakete,
PadAghAta koro’ akaitaba
Saraswatee krishna-priyA, krishna-bhakti tA’r hiyA,
Binoder sei se vaibhava.

(4)
Among all the obstacles to devotion, this mundane knowledge is certainly the foremost. You must sincerely kick it out, dear mind, for the real understanding is that Mother Saraswati, the Gosddess of learning, is very dear to Lord Krishna, and devotion to Him is her very heart. This very devotion is indeed the sanctifying grace of Bhaktivinoda.

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