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Why is theoretical devotion less valuable than the sacrifice of service?

[Ms. Saatvika asked: ⁠⁠In the world, people like managing directors, who sacrifice weak nervous energy i.e., awareness (mind and word) are paid more than the people like labourers, who sacrifice their strong nervous energy (physical service). In spirituality, why is the sacrifice of word and mind (theoretical devotion) less valuable than the sacrifice of service (practical devotion)?]

Swami replied:- In spiritual line also, we said that theory is the source of practice. If theory is absent, the practice will not be generated at all. You passed an engineering course. You yourself tell Me that whether theory is more important or practical? Even if a physically weak personality as prime minister passes orders, the departments containing very strong physical males working under the prime minister will carry on the implementation of those orders in practical field. Without orders, implementation is impossible and without implementation, orders are useless. Similarly, mere theoretical knowledge and devotion are useless if their practical proof, which is practice is absent. Without the concepts of spiritual knowledge (Jnaana Yoga) and the force of inspiration (Bhakti Yoga), the practice (Karma Yoga) is not at all generated because unless a human being is convinced by the theoretical – logical analysis that generates inspiration to implement, no human being having even a little common sense will practically implement service and sacrifice to God. For a theorist, we stress on practice saying that practice is more important than theory. This type of effort is not necessary in the reverse case, because nobody practices anything without understanding its background theory.

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