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Our holy book is called the Vijñāna Dīpa Gītā. The name itself holds profound meaning, which we will explore further in the chapters. Literally, Vijñāna means science. Vijñāna is knowledge—specifically, a special, detailed knowledge about particular things. Jñāna is general knowledge, while Vijñāna is a specialized form of knowledge concerning a specific object. Dīpa is the light—the flame, the lamp. Without light, life cannot exist. Our own Self is also that light: the eternal light, the eternal soul. Gītā, as you know, is a song. It is a song of glory that you sing—the glory of the Divine, the glory of that divine light, the glory of that science (the science of the ātmā), and the glory of Gurudeva. Glory to Gurudeva. This glory has already been spoken in various Upaniṣads and Vedas. Mahāprabhujī is illuminating some of that wisdom. Through this Gītā, we can now understand who Mahāprabhujī was, or who Mahāprabhujī is. Many different Gītās exist, including the very famous Bhagavad Gītā. The Bhagavad Gītā is also the essence of the Upaniṣads, compiled in a perfect manner. The truth is that whenever you read it, you can gain more knowledge or new knowledge. No matter how many times you read it, your knowledge will not be lost. This is unlike unhealthy food or fast food. The first bite is tasty, but the more you chew it, the more unpleasant the taste becomes. When you eat such food, the initial impression is of flavor, but prolonged chewing reveals its unpleasant nature. This illustrates the difference between reality and unreality, between what is real and what is not. In holy books, the truth is written. You can open any holy book to a chapter—perhaps the same page or chapter every day—and each day it will open a new window for you. A new window with a new, beautiful view. You can read the same chapter your entire life, and every day you will discover something new. That is why these holy words constitute a holy book. These holy words are known as Amar Vākya—Immortal Words. They are true words, words of nectar, because they unite and connect us with reality, with the Supreme. The same truth is repeated in almost every holy book, more or less identically, because the truth is one. There may be some cultural or traditional differences, which can change every fifty kilometers. But this Amar Vākya, this Amar Vāṇī—these immortal words—do not change because they are immortal. --- Recording location: Hungary, Vep, Summer Workshop