Q180. Is acquiring spiritual knowledge Bhakti?

Yes. You will truly advance in devotional service unto God by studying and applying the knowledge in the Bhagavad-Gita and other Vedic scriptures. Not by jumping from one Temple to another. Religion without philosophical knowledge is just sentiment. Please don’t waste your time, energy, and money on travelling from one Temple to another, stay in one place and absorb the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita. In this way you will truly advance. You cannot find Lord Krishna, He will find you when you become qualified. By reading or listening to the Bhagavad-Gita or any Vedic scripture, this is considered performing Bhakti, devotional service unto Lord Krishna. “Those who study this sacred dialogue of ours are worshipping Me with the yagna of knowledge.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.70) "Knowledge [spiritual] is the cause of liberation and ignorance is the cause of bondage to material life." (Lord Krishna, Uddhava Gita). Many people visit India to jump around from one Temple to another. They learn absolutely nothing from doing this and in many cases, they become sick due to the travelling. These people also visit Singapore, Dubai, Las Vegas, Rome, Paris, London, and so on. This clearly indicates that they are materialistic people who are simply interested in sightseeing and not serious about religion. A genuine devotee of God would not even think of visiting such places. It is an unfortunate fact that by visiting most Temples, one will not learn anything and thus will not advance in devotional service. Temples are not setup to give spiritual knowledge and guidance which people most desperately need. They are simply money grabbing stores. Acquiring spiritual knowledge is most important and this is real advancement of consciousness and devotional service unto God. Without reading the Bhagavad-Gita directly or learning via others, one will not know what is taught by Lord Krishna. From the Bhagavad-Gita we learn that Arjuna bowed down to Lord Krishna and then heard His instructions. He didn’t simply bow down and then go home.

When visiting holy places, one should do something for the benefit of the place by cleaning it, spreading religious knowledge to others who come there, helping to maintain it and serve everyone. Unfortunately, most people visit holy places and make it more materialistic by spending money there, make it dirtier by leaving their droppings, and do absolutely nothing that is of benefit to the place. God is not an egoistic person who simply wants people to bow down to Him. He wants people to change their consciousness by acquiring spiritual knowledge and do something that is of benefit to the place (environment, people, animals, and plants).