During the month of Hrshikesha in the Vedic calendar (August/September) there is an especially important date: Bhadra-Purnima. In the twelve canto of Srimad Bhagavatam (12.13.13) it’s stated that: “If on the full moon day of the month of Bhadra one places Srimad-Bhagavatam on a golden throne and gives it as a gift, he will attain the supreme transcendental destination.”
According to the Vedas, there are two ways of obtaining knowledge: by speculation (the ascending process), or by hearing from someone who knows (the descending process).
When one has just material aspirations, both processes may work. If one wants to build a house, for example, he may be able to figure out how to do it by trial and error (ascending process), or he may learn from someone who knows (descending process). In both cases, it’s possible to achieve success, although the descending process is going to be much faster.
The industrial revolution brought great suffering to most of the population. While the industrialists had the opportunity of amassing fabulous wealth, the workers were forced to work in very miserable conditions, receiving very small salaries.
