Beyond worldly intelligence 

By 

R. Eswaran 

Founder Acharya of Vedanta Institute 

The plight of humanity lies in failing to recognize the importance of intellect. Even after being exposed to its significance, many still do not grasp its value. Furthermore, the misconception that intelligence is the same as intellect. Besides, people are often preoccupied with worldly affairs, consumed by the pursuit of fulfilling their desires, which becomes their sole focus in life. This leads to a neglect of developing the intellect, leaving its quality poor and inadequate to guide the mind and senses. To strengthen the intellect, both proper materials and consistent effort are essential. Though guidance is readily available in the form of scriptures - shastras, it often goes unnoticed or ignored, further exacerbating the problem. 

The real crisis lies in the combination of a lack of understanding and the rush to find shortcuts. Therefore, the intellect is dormant. This drives individuals into turmoil, as exemplified in the Bhagavad Gita, where Arjuna is portrayed as a student in crisis. Arjuna’s crisis is symbolic. He is no ordinary individual—he is the best in his field, a warrior par excellence, a skilled musician and dancer, known as winner of wealth etc. How could someone so accomplished fall into despair and inaction? He sits trembling unable to do what he excels at. This highlights how even the most prepared individuals can falter when their minds lose direction. This picturization shows that worldly intelligence without intellect will always end in crisis. When the intellect is not guiding the mind and senses, one either becomes paralyzed or takes misguided actions.  

The solution lies not in reforming the world but in addressing the internal crisis. Any attempt to change the world without first resolving one’s own inner turmoil is like the blind leading the blind, resulting in collective downfall.  

To cultivate intellect, engage with challenging ideas embedded in the scriptures. Do not accept or reject them outright. The openness to exploring ideas beyond immediate perceptions fosters intellectual growth. The key is recognizing that the scripture's intention is not to confuse or brainwash but to reveal subtle truths that may not be immediately apparent. By maintaining this trust and curiosity, one develops the capacity to distinguish between mere opinions and universal truths, transforming information into wisdom. Once the internal struggles are conquered, you will either serve as an inspiring example for others to emulate or a warning as to how one should not be.