When the Lord descends into this world, He opens many different classrooms of knowledge which are unique, each suited to uplift conditioned souls in its own way. Interestingly, not every incarnation comes to speak philosophy. Some incarnations only perform pastimes and return. By observing their appearances, we begin to understand the variety of ways the Lord educates humanity – sometimes through silence, sometimes through strong instructions, and sometimes through the language of pure love.

Classrooms Without Instruction

Many incarnations appear primarily to perform līlās rather than give teachings.

Varāhadeva killed Hiraṇyākṣa but did not deliver any extended philosophical instruction.
Nṛsiṁhadeva manifested as a response to Prahlāda’s devotion but did not speak much Himself.
Matsyāvatāra and Kūrma also appeared, performed wonderful pastimes, but didn’t leave behind any teachings.

Classroom of Knowledge

Other incarnations came specifically to impart knowledge. Lord Haṁsa, Lord Dattātreya, the Four Kumāras, and Lord Ṛṣabha all offered clear philosophical instruction. Ṛṣabhadeva’s teachings in the Fifth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are especially strong. He plainly declares that human life is not meant for sense enjoyment like that of dogs and hogs, but for self-realization. He warns us that life is a failure if one does not inquire into the Absolute Truth.

Yet when we meet his sons, the Nava-yogendras, speaking to Mahārāja Nimi, their tone is remarkably gentle and sensitive. They present the same truth but in a way that does not threaten or overwhelm the listener.

Krishna’s Classroom With One Student

Kṛṣṇa’s most famous classroom is the battlefield of Kurukṣetra. Before Arjuna formally surrenders, Kṛṣṇa speaks like a concerned friend, urging him to rise and fight. But the moment Arjuna says, “I am Your disciple,” Kṛṣṇa assumes the role of teacher. In just over forty minutes, Arjuna moves from confusion to clarity. At the end, Kṛṣṇa offers him freedom to choose, yet He explains the essence in a clear and concise manner – Offer your mind to Me, surrender to Me and so on.

Classroom of Love — Where Krishna Becomes a Student

Although Kṛṣṇa is the supreme teacher, He Himself becomes a student when He observes the love of the Vrajavāsīs. Their affection is so deep and profound that Kṛṣṇa admits He does not possess what they possess. In front of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, He cries for Her love. This desire makes Him appear as Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, eager to learn the language of love from His devotees.

Classrooms We Must Avoid

In our spiritual journey, we may unintentionally enter the wrong classrooms.

One such classroom is the classroom of fault-finding, where the mind becomes absorbed in noticing small external imperfections in others.
Another is the classroom of comfort, where devotional life becomes merely a social gathering, with little desire for hearing or transformation.
There is also the classroom of gossip, where time slips away in casual talk rather than in cultivating devotion.

These classrooms look very attractive, but they slow or even halt spiritual progress.

Entering the Classroom of Love

When we sincerely learn in the classroom of knowledge, Kṛṣṇa gradually transfers us to the classroom of love. This is the highest classroom opened by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Mahāprabhu Himself became a student before Sārvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya and Rāmānanda Rāya.

When He taught Rūpa Gosvāmī at Prayāga and Sanātana Gosvāmī at Vārāṇasī, He gave them the complete essence of devotion, including the deepest moods of Vraja. Mahaprabhu also had single attendees in the form of Rupa and Sanatana in his classroom course which lasted for 10 days and 2 months respectively.

Entry into this classroom does not depend on scholarship. It depends solely on humility. Mahāprabhu accepted Rūpa and Sanātana not because of their learning, but because their humility touched His heart. Similarly, when Sārvabhauma became humble, Mahāprabhu lifted him from the dry realm of logic into the world of divine affection.

Mahāprabhu’s Open Classroom

During His South India tour, Mahāprabhu opened a classroom for the masses simply through the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. This was His universal teaching. Śrīla Prabhupāda continued this mood by giving the holy name freely and welcoming all into the path of Krishna Consciousness.

Why Knowledge Is Still Essential

Even though Mahāprabhu distilled the essence into the chanting of the holy name, the cultivation of scriptural knowledge remains essential. Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote sixty-nine books, not for casual reading but for study. Knowledge nourishes determination and discrimination. Although bhakti naturally produces knowledge and detachment, steady bhakti requires proper understanding, and that comes through regular engagement with scripture. This is why daily Bhāgavatam and Gītā classes form the backbone of temple life.

Choosing the Right Classroom

The greatest danger is turning back to the old classrooms of gossip, comfort, and fault-finding. If we remain in the classroom of Mahāprabhu—hearing, serving, chanting, and assisting His mission—our heart will naturally awaken its pure love for Krishna. Prabhodananda Saraswati states that simply by serving Mahāprabhu’s mission, love for Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī arises on its own.

When we wake up everyday, we need to decide – Which classroom do I aspire to sit in ?