We may not at all agree with Tripurari Swamis cutting-edge answer or conclusion but I found this question to be absolutely brilliant and thought-provoking. I include this excerpt to uderscore the prime necessity for acute deliberation in order to dicuss Gaudiya Vedanta. I feel very much that is what is going on here at GD. What do you think?
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Taken from Tatha Srnu - Pay Attention:
Q. What does tattva-viveka mean?
A. Tattva-viveka means deliberation (viveka) on truth (tattva). This exercise is necessary for devotees. They should study the philosophical canvas on which the art of Krsna lila is drawn with a view to fuel their practice with the appropriate conceptual orientation to their ideal. The attempt to realize the truth can be aided considerably by theoretical knowledge of the same. Therefore devotees should participate in meaningful philosophical discussion of Gaudiya Vedanta in proportion to their capacity to do so. Not all devotees will excel in studying and discussing philosophy. Some have a propensity for this more than others. Still, all can participate on some level and benefit. Asking questions is as important as giving answers. [top]
Q. I would like to advance spiritually but it seems that I just don't have the interest or mental capacity to discuss Gaudiya Vedanta. What should I do?
A. Don't be intellectually lazy when it comes to spiritual life. Your intelligence belongs to Krsna. Give it to him. One of the biggest problems in the Gaudiya community today is sentiment for Srila Prabhupada that is not grounded in or tempered by proper understanding of scripture. Prabhupada himself liked to quote Rabindranath Tagore who said, "Religion without philosophy is sentiment."
Religious sentiment ungrounded by philosophy leads to religious fanaticism. Our religion divides us and our philosophy unites us. When properly united by philosophy, our religious differences (sentiments/bhava) are ornaments. When the differences are not grounded in tattva, there will be no bhava, only anarthas (false values). Indeed, in the opinion of Thakura Bhaktivinoda, distortion of tattva is itself an anartha. Furthermore, Bhagavan Sri Krsna says:
adhyesyate ca ya imam dharmyam samvadam avayoh jnana-yajnena tenaham istah syam iti me matih
"It is my conviction that whoever studies this sacred dialogue of ours worships me by the sacrifice of intellect."
Thus for beginners some study of philosophy must be there. Of course, if you just sing the Gita in glorification of Krsna without knowing the meaning of its verses, Krsna will deliver you, but who will have the conviction to sing the Gita unless he or she has some understanding of its meaning? [top]