karma and forgetfulness

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> > Is there any record of Srila Prabhupada's reply to the following query, or

> > a similar version of it?

> >

> > > Karmic reactions and reincarnation are, so to say, a sort of didactic

> > > punishment by God,

 

I do not have direct reply from Srila Prabhupada, but I want to share my

understanding from Srila Prabhupad's books, on this question so that devotees

may correct me if my understanding is wrong.

 

I think Bg 15.15 is a very good verse to answer the above question.

 

1. The Atma(soul) and the Paramatma(Supersoul) are both eternally conscious.

The soul is conscious of his present body. The supersoul is conscious of all

the bodies. This is because the supersoul lives in the heart of every living

being.

2. The soul is the controlled and the Supersoul is the controller. The

Supersoul gives direction to the soul according to the desires of the Soul.

That is what Lord Krishna is telling in the first two lines of this verse. "I

am seated in everyone's heart and from me comes rememberance knowledge and

forgetfulness" and this is according to one's desires. I remember Srila

Prabhupada mentioning in some place that no one has to go to University how to

learn to walk, and how to have sex. This is automatic, and comes in the course

of time. This rememberance, knowledge and forgetfulness is given by the

Supersoul acoording to one's desires.

3. The soul is entangled in the actions and reactions of his own Karma. After

giving up one type of body, he enters another type of body, as we put on and

take of clothes. As he migrates, he suffers the actions and reactions of his

past misdeeds, and more entangled in his new independant desires. This is a

vicious circle.

4. This Karma of entanglement of action and reaction can be changed, when the

living being is in the mode of goodness, in sanity, and understands what sort

of activities he should adopt. If he does so, then all actions and reactions

of his activities can be changed.

5. So how to come out of the vicious cycle of karma or Karma bandhana is given

in the second two lines of this verse. Krishna says "By all the Vedas, I am to

be known. Indeed, I am the compiler of Vedanta, and I am the knower of Vedas."

Not only does the jiva enjoy or suffer in this world according to the

dictation from the Supreme Lord situated locally in the heart, BUT he RECEIVES

THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THE VEDAS FROM HIM.

6. One can attain perfection in 3 stages. By understading the Vedic literature

one can understand his relationship with the Supreme Personality Of Godhead,

by performing different processes (devotional service is the ultimate process)

one can approach Him, and at the end one can attain the supreme goal,-Krishna.

 

7. So even though the jiva wants to enjoy independant of the Lord with his

independant desires, and get doomed for ever, the all merciful Krishna, never

forsakes the jiva but always accompanies him, and gives direction to fulfill

his desires, but simultaneously at the same time he sends the "Bhagavat and

Person Bhagavata"and always gives the opportunity to the living entity to come

out of his entanglement of Karma Bandhana.

8. So our desires should be always 'DOVETAILED' in the service of Krishna, and

according to our desires we can attain Krishna.

9. Krishna will make all arrangemnts and gives the knowledge, and rememberance

of Krishna and forgetfulness of things that are independant of Krishna. That

is His causeless mercy on His children.

10. Also Krishna is supremely independant. He does not work according to our

suggestions or according to our level of thinking. Why we, even Lord Shiva or

Lord Brahma cannot understand and donot question His actions.

 

Your humble servant,

Bhadra Govinda Das.