View source for Becoming Polluted - The Contamination of Original Consciousness

Every living entity possesses an original, pure consciousness that is inherently connected to the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this state through the analogy of distilled rainwater: as it falls from the sky, it is perfectly pure, but the moment it touches the earth, it becomes muddy and polluted. In the same way, the soul’s original nature becomes polluted through contact with the material atmosphere and the desire for independent enjoyment. This article explores how this pollution affects the individual mind, the social order, and the method for restoring our natural purity.

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=== Individual Mind and Intelligence ===

Pollution begins in the consciousness when the living entity adopts a "lording it over" mentality. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that even high-functioning intelligence can become polluted if it lacks a spiritual foundation. For instance, Arjuna’s temporary refusal to fight was attributed to his intelligence being clouded by material considerations. Furthermore, internal agitations like anger are so potent that even a single outburst can pollute the entire body. The mind, when polluted by desires for sense gratification, becomes a gateway for the soul to drop into the cycle of birth and death.

* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna consciousness is the original consciousness. Now it is polluted. Just like originally when the rain falls, it is pure distilled water. And as soon as touches the ground, it become polluted|Krsna consciousness is the original consciousness. Now it is polluted. Just like originally when the rain falls, it is pure distilled water. And as soon as touches the ground, it become polluted.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Akrodha means to check anger. Even if there is provocation one should be tolerant, for once one becomes angry his whole body becomes polluted|Akrodha means to check anger. Even if there is provocation one should be tolerant, for once one becomes angry his whole body becomes polluted.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As soon as our original consciousness becomes polluted with the consciousness of material enjoyment, that "I want to lord it over the resources of matter..." As soon as we turn our consciousness in this way, then our troubles begin|As soon as our original consciousness becomes polluted with the consciousness of material enjoyment, that "I want to lord it over the resources of matter..." As soon as we turn our consciousness in this way, then our clues begin.]]

=== Social and Institutional Pollution ===

The contamination of the individual inevitably spreads to society and its institutions. According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, when the administrative class loses its quality of goodness and becomes driven by mercantile or laborer interests, the "whole machinery of government" becomes polluted. This social decay is often rooted in the neglect of religious principles and the pollution of the family structure, which leads to the birth of unwanted population (''varna-saṅkara''). Even the spiritual master is warned to be cautious, as accepting charity from materialistic kings or wealthy men can pollute the mind and compromise one's spiritual standing.

* [[Vaniquotes:As soon as the administrative class is turned into a gang of mercantile and laborer men, the whole machinery of government becomes polluted|As soon as the administrative class is turned into a gang of mercantile and laborer men, the whole machinery of government becomes polluted.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Advaita Acarya, My spiritual master, should never accept charity from rich men or kings, because if a spiritual master accepts money or grains from such materialists his mind becomes polluted|Advaita Acarya, My spiritual master, should never accept charity from rich men or kings, because if a spiritual master accepts money or grains from such materialists his mind becomes polluted.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Contemptuous sons are born of the condemned womb of their mother. In Bhagavad-gita (1.40) it is said, "When there is deliberate negligence of the regulative principles of religious life, the women as a class become polluted|Contemptuous sons are born of the condemned womb of their mother. In Bhagavad-gita (1.40) it is said, "When there is deliberate negligence of the regulative principles of religious life, the women as a class become polluted.]]

=== Unpollutable Agents of Purification ===

Despite the pervasive nature of material pollution, there are certain elements that can never be contaminated. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that while the individual ''ātmā'' is affected by sin, the Supreme Lord remains like the sun—unaffected by any infection. Similarly, the waters of the Ganges and ''prasāda'' (sanctified food) retain their purity regardless of their external condition. By coming into contact with these unpollutable agents through the process of ''bhakti'', the polluted conditioned soul can gradually wash away the layers of false ego and return to their original, pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

* [[Vaniquotes:The individual atma becomes polluted by sin, but the Lord is never contaminated by sins. The Lord is compared to the powerful sun. The sun is never contaminated by anything infectious because it is so powerful|The individual atma becomes polluted by sin, but the Lord is never contaminated by sins. The Lord is compared to the powerful sun. The sun is never contaminated by anything infectious because it is so powerful.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Ganges waters do not become polluted. Those who are advanced in spiritual understanding will bathe in the Ganges without considering the condition of the water|The Ganges waters do not become polluted. Those who are advanced in spiritual understanding will bathe in the Ganges without considering the condition of the water.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sometimes the food (from Govardhana-puja) is thrown to the crowds, and they enjoy collecting it off the ground. From this we can understand that prasadam offered to Krsna never becomes polluted or contaminated, even if it is thrown on the ground|Sometimes the food (from Govardhana-puja) is thrown to the crowds, and they enjoy collecting it off the ground. From this we can understand that prasadam offered to Krsna never becomes polluted or contaminated, even if it is thrown on the ground.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The state of being polluted is not the soul's permanent condition, but a temporary covering caused by material contact. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that just as rain is naturally pure, our consciousness is naturally Kṛṣṇa conscious. The danger of pollution is greatest in isolation; therefore, the constant association of devotees and the practice of the ''bhakti'' process are essential to remain steady. By recognizing the ways in which anger, greed, and mundane attachments cloud our vision, we can consciously seek out the purifying mercy of the Lord and restore our original, distilled spiritual identity.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Becoming_Polluted|Becoming Polluted]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
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