Origin Of Jiva Tattva

[Guest guest]

A Response to the Controversy

 

Submitted by Srimati Radhika devi dasi

 

[srila Narayana Maharaja recently gave a 5-day seminar in Paderdon, Germany, on the first two chapters of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Jaiva Dharma. One of the important topics in Chapter Two is the nature and origin of jiva-tattva. Therefore, in his class explaining that chapter, Srila Maharaja took the opportunity to discuss the controversy over whether or not the living entity fell from the spiritual world. Srila Maharaja had given a very similar class one year earlier, in Badger, California (New Vraja) on June 2, 2000. Therefore, rather than re-invent the wheel, or rather than transcribe this recent Dec.15th lecture, we pray that the lecture of June 2nd will give you inspiration.]

 

If you want to have krsna-prema, you will have to follow the six Gosvamis. Srila Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Srila Jiva Gosvami, Srila Rupa Gosvami -- all were like this. None are inferior to the other. When we will try to judge, we will see that each one of them is so high. We will not be able to decide. They were so humble, knowing all these special truths. If we want to achieve the goal of our life, which is krsna-prema, we will have to follow in this birth. Or, if it is not possible to fully follow in this birth, we will have to gradually follow the process for lakhs and lakhs of births. It may take a day or a moment, but you will have to follow. There is no other way. Better to follow in this life.

 

Sri Sanatana Gosvami asked Mahaprabhu, "I have come to this world, but I don't know who I am. Who am I?" Mahaprabhu repliedŠ

 

[sripad Aranya Maharaja:] Sri Caitanya Caritamrta, Madhya lila, chapter 20, text 102: 'ke ami kene amaya jare tapa-traya, iha nahi jani kemane hita haya'. Translation by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. In this verse Srila Sanatana Gosvamipada is inquiring from Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. "Who am I? Why do the threefold miseries always give me trouble? If I do not know this, how can I be benefited? Actually, I do not know how to inquire about sadhya, the goal of life, and sadhana, the process for obtaining it. Being merciful upon me. Please explain all these truths."

 

[srila Narayana Maharaja:] I consider that, "I am Narayana Maharaja." He considers that, "I am Isa prabhu", "I am Krsna Bhajana prabhu." Why did this question come? Really, none of us know who we are by constitution. Mahaprabhu is telling Sanatana Gosvami, "You know everything, but you are questioning for the benefit of others. Sadhura svabhavaŠ ["Therefore He is saying that 'By the grace of Krsna you are empowered, and so you have come to Me to help Me. You are asking. That is very good on your part because jani, you know everything." Dardhya lagi' puche sadhura svabhava. A sadhu, a saintly person, although he knows everything, still he remains very humble and tries to confirm from the higher authorities, 'I think this is right. Is it not right?' He knows it is all right, but still he waits for the higher authority to confirm it. So this is the relationship between Sanatana Gosvami and Caitanya Mahaprabhu.' (1976 Cc. Mad.20.105 lecture by Srila Prabhupada)] Why do sadhus ask questions? To confirm. Therefore you are asking." Then He said, "You are not really Sanatana, in the sense that you are not this physical body. Jivera svarupa hayaŠ" What has Srila Swami Maharaja written?

 

[sripad Aranya Maharaja:] Caitanya Mahaprabhu replied to Sanatana Gosvami, "It is the living entity's constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Krsna, because he is tatastha sakti, the marginal energy of Krsna, and a manifestation, simultaneously one and different from the Lord, like a molecular particle of sunshine or fire."