Inquiries Into the Absolute: Digest 152, Separated Expansions,

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Digest 152, January 17th, 2006. Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja

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Separated expansions

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Question in connection with Inquiries Into the Absolute: Digest 144

Understanding how and why God becomes many

 

Question: What does separated expansion actually mean, in terms of our

relationship with Krishna?

 

Answer: 'Separated' refers to our existence as eternally separate entities with

individual identity, having minute freewill. Further, unlike the integrated

expansions, viz. the Vishnu-tattva forms, the tiny living entities are prone to

turn toward illusory energy and become separated from Krishna's association, by

improper use of their freewill -- the same idea as conveyed by the term

'marginal energy'.

 

At the same time, the term 'separated parts-and-parcels' implies that the

living entity cannot be completely independent of Krishna at any time, although

he may think himself to be so under the influence of external energy.

 

 

Material vs. Spiritual Personality/Individuality

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Q: I have a question related to digest 144. If the Supreme Lord can expand

himself into the tiny souls with separate individualities for His enjoyment,

why do they have to be covered by the illusory energy? Does the covering not

create a virtual entity with the particle of spirit being forgetful of its

oneness with the Supreme in order for the living entity to display a separate

individuality? I recall in another email it was said that even the soul does

not belong to us as the only thing we have is our relationship with Krishna. Am

I just a temporary instance in time with no factual existence?

 

Answer: This was also explained within the answer being referred to: the living

entity does NOT have to be covered by illusory energy, but has the choice to do

so, by choosing to enjoy independent of the Supreme Lord.

 

The spirit soul is eternally individual, either under the covering of illusory

energy or under the shelter of Krishna's internal energy -- but in either case

we exist with our individual separate identity. This is affirmed by Lord

Krishna in Bhagavad-gita 2.12.

 

Once again, we DO NOT HAVE TO be in forgetfulness in order to display separate

individuality. The residents of Vaikuntha are eternally rendering loving

devotional service to the Lord in their individual capacities in the liberated

state. And since all spirit souls are expansions from Krishna, this eternal

loving service is the real purpose to be fulfilled by our existence also.

 

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