Yogeśvara: He says one thing is that he feels kind of glad that it's more or less a question of opinion because if it was Absolute Truth, then it would be too restricting for everyone.
Prabhupāda: No, it is Absolute Truth. But there are different ways of understanding Absolute Truth. He is taking only one way, direct perception. (French)
Yogeśvara: He said, if it were an absolute truth, it would be evident to everyone.
Prabhupāda: Yes. But everyone is not advanced in knowledge. (French)
Yogeśvara: He says the question remains because there are other, very spiritually advanced men who don't accept that idea.
Prabhupāda: No, somebody may be known as spiritually advanced according to the society, but he may not be. So another thing is that what is the way of understanding the Absolute Truth. Let him explain. What is the standard way of understanding Absolute Truth? (French)
Yogeśvara: He says he doesn't have an answer in that kind of a context.
Church Representative: No context, problematic.
Prabhupāda: It may be problematic to some, but Absolute Truth can be understood by śruti, authoritative hearing.
Karandhara: When the Absolute reveals Himself, then... Śruti means the absolute knowledge from the Absolute, from God.
Prabhupāda: Yes, the Absolute Truth is known by the absolute method which is called śruti, hearing from the Absolute. Absolute cannot be imagined or speculated. (French)
Yogeśvara: He says that is a fundamental point.
Prabhupāda: Yes. So therefore we accept Absolute Truth from the Absolute.
Karandhara: And according to the Vedic system, in different times and different places, according to the mentality and the culture of the people, the Absolute has made Himself known on different levels, higher and lower levels. But that... The Absolute as revealed through the Vedas, specifically the Bhagavad-gītā, is the most advanced level. It is the standard by which all other levels are judged. It is the most advanced, complete knowledge.
Church Representative: Yes, I know this. I know. I know this.
Karandhara: But it's not just an opinion. It's not just a secular idea. By scientific principle, if we consider the logic of all the propositions of Bhagavad-gītā in relation to the Bible and Koran, if we're actually impartial and open, then we'll understand that truth. It's not a matter of opinion, it's a matter of superior logic, extending the same basic truths to their highest perfection. So in discussing the merits of Bhagavad-gītā versus another scripture, it's not that we're trying to argue just for the sake of polemics but to establish the real standard, what is the most elevated or advanced standard of the knowledge.
Bhagavān: But people are suffering due to lack of that accurate knowledge.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Bhagavān: And our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to make that knowledge available in practical activity to stop this suffering. It is not just a philosophy without practice. That is the reason why it is important for discussing, not just for the sake of discussing but for the sake of bringing out the highest principles for action.
Prabhupāda: So according to Vedic way, Kṛṣṇa is the Absolute Truth. Kṛṣṇa is Absolute Truth, accepted by the ācāryas. Indian civilization is carried on the advice of the ācārya-sampradāya. So all the ācāryas like Śaṅkarācārya, Rāmānujācārya, Madhvācārya, they all accept Kṛṣṇa as the Absolute Truth. So when we hear from Kṛṣṇa then we get absolute knowledge.
Karandhara: The reason why we gather like this to discuss these principles is that just like a group of scholars will gather to refine and crystallize their knowledge.
Guest: (French)
Yogeśvara: He must excuse himself, he has a prior engagement.
Guest: I thank you so much for your... I must go now.
Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. (some people leave)
Karandhara: I'd just like to finish the one point I was making, that the reason we gather like this and we desire to discuss with other personalities, other people with different views of religion, is for the sake of the edification of everyone, so that the highest principles can be isolated and so we can advance the purpose of religiosity. It's not simply for the sake of argument that we pose questions. But it's for the sake of the edification or the crystallization of the highest principles of religion.
Church Representative: I absolutely agree on this point, certainly. (French)
Yogeśvara: He says he's familiar with this principle. He says he knows of it, but he doesn't consider himself to be an expert.
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: But because you are part of God, you have real interest in this. Everyone.
Church Representative: Certainly. (French)
Yogeśvara: He says he's willing to admit this philosophy even though he doesn't belong to it himself. He sees this as being...
Paramahaṁsa: He appreciates the fact that it has a coherent aspect, that it holds together logically. And this is what he appreciates.
Yogeśvara: He respects the Vaiṣṇava philosophy because it is substantial. It doesn't contradict itself.
Karandhara: So then the... If the Vaiṣṇava philosophy has a systematic logic, then integrity would dictate that we have to surrender or accept that logic. If a logic is true, we can't stand apart from it and simply observe it. We have to accept it ourselves.
Church Representative: (French)
Bhagavān: You are right on the brink of Absolute Truth. Don't run away. (laughs)
Yogeśvara: He says that even though he has a great interest in this discussion, because he has prior commitments, he's unable to stay.
Prabhupāda: That's all right. That's all...
Bhagavān: Of course.