Inquiries into the Absolute: Digest 72

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Digest 72, November 4th, 2003

Answers by His Holiness Romapada Swami Maharaja

*** You are welcome to send in your questions to HH Romapada Swami at

iskcon_dc with the word "Question" in the subject. The previous

digests are available at:

http://iskcondc.prastha.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/renderphilo.pl?ndx=132

 

Why did we come to the material world?

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Q1: Why did we come to the material world in the first place? I know this

question has been asked many times and it seems no one really has the

correct answer. I have heard from various other devotees that each

individual will eventually find out why based on their own individuality;

but there must be some logical explanation for God to build this material

world. From my own conclusion and what I have heard is that we were given

a choice to enjoy independently of Him while we were in the spiritual

world since we are all individual beings, but why would we make that

choice if we were enjoying eternal happiness? Could it be that we still

didn't have freedom, perhaps? And keeping us there in the spiritual world

with no choice at all would have meant He really caged us in and forced

us to be there. But then again it is our eternal position. It's confusing -

can you please elaborate on this subject. Why did we come to the material

world?

 

Answer: We have discussed this question in previous issues in some detail.

As you indicated, yes, we are here because of our choice to enjoy

independently of Krishna. But your question probes the reason or cause

as to why would someone who is experiencing complete happiness in the

spiritual world would make such a choice, as if he was experiencing

some shortcoming, or exhibiting a reaction to his dissatisfaction

or rebellion against being 'caged' within the spiritual realm?

 

If you search through the digest of previous questions and answers,

you will find that the 'event' of misuse of free will is not a

'chronological event' (this means 'an event within time', eg "In the

past I was outside of this room, then some time passed, then some

notion came into my mind, and that inspired me to come within the room,

which also took place through the passage of some time.") but constitutes

an event nonetheless. Call it an ontological event, if you will.

 

Now let us explore the 'cause' of the soul's misuse of free will.

 

The source of any hypothetical dissatisfaction could not be a

reaction to the lack of freedom, as it seems your question proposes.

The very fact that we are within the material circumstance of life

implies that we do have such freedom; if we were forced or caged

within the spiritual world, as you put it, we wouldn't be here!

The point is that free will also exists in the spiritual realm, and

naturally so, since minute free will is an inherent quality of the

soul, just as unlimited free will is an inherent quality of God.

 

Despite the all-perfect nature of the spiritual world, there is one

desire which a living entity cannot possibly satisfy in that realm,

a desire which can only be approached in illusion - the unceremonious

aspiration to become God oneself!

 

The source of the misuse of free will is NOT coming from some source

outside of the soul, acting upon it. Tiny free will is inherent

within the soul itself, and there is no other cause.

 

By constitution, the living entity, being a miniscule fragmentary

part of the Supreme, has freedom which is correspondingly limited.

Jivas are dependent on the Supreme for enjoyment, much as a child is

dependent on their mother and father. In the spiritual world, souls

can enjoy unlimited bliss, but by serving the Lord and not independently.

There, Krishna is the only Enjoyer and the Cynosure of everybody's

attention and devotion. For those who unfortunately resent the Lord's

unrivaled opulence and His position as the central Enjoyer of all

existence, He out of great kindness creates this illusory realm - like

a loving father's indirect protection of his prodigal son. Besides

giving the soul the opportunity for an illusory sense of unlimited

freedom, by illusion's inherent miserable nature, it helps rectify

the soul of this mentality. This is one of the grand mysteries of

material creation.

 

 

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----- Festivals over the next week ------

Nov 04 2003, Tuesday Disappearance Srila Gaura Kisora Dasa Babaji (Fast)

Ekadasi Utthana (Break fast 06:40-10:08)

Bhisma Pancaka

(Fasting till noon)

(Feasting is done tomorrow)

Nov 07 2003, Friday Disappearance Sri Bhugarbha Gosvami

Disappearance Sri Kasisvara Pandita

Nov 08 2003, Saturday Appearance Sri Nimbarkacarya

Sri Krsna Rasayatra

Tulasi-Saligrama Vivaha (marriage)

Nov 09 2003, Sunday Katyayani vrata begins

 

*** NOTE: All times are for Washington D.C, USA, EST ***

For festival information for your city please go to http://www.iskcondc.org and

click on 'Calendar'

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** A brief biography of His Holiness Romapada Swami available at

:http://www.prastha.com/cgi-bin/uncgi/renderphilo.pl?ndx=2

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