© 2002 VNN
|
EDITORIAL  Inquiries Into The Absolute: Digest 36 BY ISKCONDC EDITORIAL, Jun 23 (VNN) — Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja Devotional Service Q.1) In Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 3, page 30 - Srila Prabhupada says, "The killer of the soul is destined to enter the darkest region of ignorance to suffer perpetually." Does perpetual here mean forever or eternally? Do such living entities ever have hope again or are they condemned forever in the lower planetary regions? Answer. Lord Krishna also makes a very similar statement in Bhagavad-gita (16.19,20): "I perpetually cast such persons in the ocean of material existence, into various demoniac species of life· Gradually they sink down to the most abominable type of existence." Krsna is all-merciful, and as Srila Prabhupada explains in his purports to the above verses, this is just another feature of the Lord's mercy. In these verses, the word 'perpetually' conveys the idea that such souls glide down further and further, repeatedly being born in demoniac species until they at last reach the animal species of life such as cats and dogs. Thereafter, one again goes through the entire cycle of transmigration until they attain another human form of life, the rare opportunity to put an end to this cycle. Krishna's desire is that ALL living entities come back to Him, to the spiritual world. The very purpose of the material creation is to facilitate the living entity to rectify his mentality and go back to Godhead. Therefore, NO ONE is eternally condemned to material existence; everyone is repeatedly and endlessly given yet another chance to revive his or her spiritual consciousness. In addition, Krishna personally incarnates, especially in His most-munificent feature as Caitanya Mahaprabhu to benefit even the most sinful and demoniac persons. And so also the pure devotees of the Lord compassionately walk the earth; just by coming in contact with them even the birds and beasts are spiritually uplifted! Krishna's mercy is endless and one can take advantage of it in any status of life. Q.2) On page 32 of Isopanisad Mantra 3, Srila Prabhupada talks about the word atma-sambhavita. Do devotees who have approached Krishna Consciousness with materialistic desires (for fame and recognition), and therefore fall from this path eventually, also have the same destination as the asuras? Answer. Devotional service is very powerful and purifying. Therefore it is recommended that whether one is desireless or full of desires, one should perform tivra-bhakti (intense devotional service), which can burn up all impurities. (Cf. Bhag. 2.3.10) Initially many people who begin Krishna consciousness come with some material motivation (Bg 7.14) but they are quickly purified of such desires. Krishna personally instructs them from within and from without through the spiritual master and scriptures to relieve them of all such material contamination. However, care should be taken that one should not hold on to such desires steadfastly and nourish and cultivate such desires even after having repeatedly heard and understood the messages of pure devotional service. This is the tenth offense to the Holy Name. It is because of continuing to cultivate such desires, that one eventually falls away from the path. Nevertheless, Krishna never forgets any service done to Him, even casually. Even if such persons fall away, as stated in the purport they are given a chance to take birth in good families or personally corrected by Krishna. The risk is however there, that on account of maintaining such material attachments and conceptions, one may seriously offend an exalted Vaishnava and by so doing his devotional creeper is destroyed, even though whatever service has been performed is to that person's eternal credit. And therefore we ought to very carefully correct such materialistic mentality. Modes of Material Nature - Mahabharata Q.3) My question is about Arjuna's softhearted, devotee-like nature, and not so Ksatriya-like nature. Varnashrama divisions are based on nature and not by birth. Though one may be born in any one of the varnas, one can be elevated to the position of a Vaishnava by practice of devotional service. Right? Arjuna was a Ksatriya, but on the battlefield he did not want to fight because he was also a devotee and softhearted by nature. I understand that some of Arjuna's reactions were due to material conceptions and attachments. [Editor's note: Refer BG 1.28-30 purports, for a discussion on why Arjuna refused to fight.] My questions are: Part 1. Once someone comes to devotional service, can their nature (according to Varnashrama system) change and therefore their occupation also? Or do they have to still continue with their prescribed duty? Answer. A person's propensities may or may not change by taking to devotional service. Whatever stage of bhakti in which one is situated, as one progresses in devotional service, they are gradually elevated to the brahminical status or mode of goodness, (and ultimately beyond mode of goodness). Thus one becomes increasingly austere, self-controlled, clean, truthful etc., but one's propensities towards work may or may not change. For instance, a person with artistic or administrative tendencies may not become a scholarly, studious person, but they can continue to serve Krishna with whatever qualities and tendencies they have, under the guidance of a pure devotee. When someone becomes completely transcendental, then they actually are not bound to any social duties, but are spontaneously attracted to serve Krishna. Even then, one might continue to function within their previous occupational duties in service to Krishna, just as Nanda Maharaja was the king of the cowherds. On the other hand, being transcendental, they can function in any other capacity also, if service to Guru and Krishna requires it. Someone functioning as a brahmana may take up some administrative role when called upon to do so, for example. Part 2. A hypothetical question - If Arjuna did not have material conceptions but just reacted the way he did out of compassion because he was a pure devotee - would that be right? Answer. Any action is judged based on how much it is pleasing to the Supreme Lord. That is the ultimate criterion. Krishna's will was that the unrighteous should be vanquished. One who is situated on the platform of pure devotion will make no other consideration than executing the Lord's plan. It is noteworthy that Srila Prabhupada simultaneously lauds the soft-heartedness of Ajuna, and in the same breath criticizes the materialistic calculations of Arjuna's arguments against fighting (BG 1.28-36 purports). The soft-hearted nature in itself is virtuous for a Vaishnava; but if it comes in the way of one's surrender and service to the Lord, it has no meaning. In such a circumstance, soft-heartedness can be understood to be acting as a material conception. This is an important conclusion of the message of Bhagavad-gita: no matter how lofty or noble an act may appear to be, it is worthless when divorced from loving service to the Supreme Lord. Our contacts are: Email : iskcondc@prastha.com Web Address : http://www.iskcondc.org Postal: 10310 Oaklyn Drive, Potomac, MD 20854 Contact VNN about this story  Send this story to a friend
NEWS DESK | EDITORIALS | TOP |
