We must understand that this jnana and karma—the energy and knowledge, are of lower importance. They are rather covers of real life, not a part of real life. That is rather a cover and love is our real life—these two will be subservient to love and beauty. This is the situation of the world in reality. When we understand this, then we’ll understand what is devotion, what is bhakti. Otherwise we will become Sahajiya—imitationist. We shall go on with a fashion, wearing tilaka, the garb and all these things but if at heart we can really realize what is the position of real love then we will understand that this faculty of trying to know everything is a luxury, a fashion which is impossible. Finite can never measure Infinite—jnana is sheer folly. And karma is an enemy—any karma is digging your own grave. The energy by which you want to thrive here, that is digging your grave if it is not connected with the Absolute. And jnana is a ludicrous thing. As the finite, you want to get the Infinite in your fist—this is a ludicrous attempt. Only the method of love, through which the Infinite will be inclined to come to you by saranagati, is the sole realistic attempt of our development. All else is absurd and injurious, a madman’s gesticulation.
Swami B.R. Sridhara, Encounters with Divinity, vol.1
