Mechanism of Desiring a Material Body: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "The physical form is the external manifestation of the internal desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the process of reincarnation is a strict science governed by the laws of nature. The living entity is the passenger, the body is the vehicle, and the fuel is material desire. This article explores the mechanical arrangement by which the soul wanders through 8,400,000 species, accepting one body after another in a futile attempt to satisfy the senses. <div class="toc...") |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Desiring a Material Body|Desiring a Material Body]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form. | Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Desiring a Material Body|Desiring a Material Body]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form. | ||
[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles | (See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]]) | ||
[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]] | |||
Latest revision as of 16:11, 28 December 2025
The physical form is the external manifestation of the internal desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the process of reincarnation is a strict science governed by the laws of nature. The living entity is the passenger, the body is the vehicle, and the fuel is material desire. This article explores the mechanical arrangement by which the soul wanders through 8,400,000 species, accepting one body after another in a futile attempt to satisfy the senses.
The Body as a Machine
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the body not as the self, but as a "machine" (yantra) designed to facilitate specific activities. Just as a person selects a dress for a specific occasion, the soul selects a body to fulfill a specific type of enjoyment. This machine is constructed by material nature under the direction of the Supreme Lord.
- According to the desire and karma of the individual soul, the Lord, through the agency of maya, creates another body for him. The heart of the body is a mechanical arrangement.
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita (BG 18.61): The Lord is situated in the core of everyone's heart, and, according to the material desires of the living entity, the Lord offers a particular type of machine - the body - through the agency of the material energy.
- The living entity, according to his material desires, receives different types of bodies, which are nothing but machines offered by material nature according to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Varieties of Species and Desires
The existence of millions of species is not an accident of evolution but a necessity of desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because there are 8,400,000 types of desires, there must be 8,400,000 types of bodies to accommodate them. From the demigods to the insects, every form is a response to a specific volition.
- We have got desires, different types of desires. The 8,400,000 bodies means at least we have got 8,400,000 different types of desires. That we have to learn from authorities like Krsna. Therefore He says: "You try to understand." You cannot speculate.
- Modern scientists do not know why there are varieties of bodies in 8,400,000 forms. The fact is that all these bodies are ordained for the living entities by the Supreme Personality of Godhead according to the living entities' desires.
Critical Moment of Death
The transfer from one body to another occurs at the time of death. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the mind's absorption at this final moment determines the next destination. If one dies with unsatisfied material desires, nature automatically forces the soul into a new womb to continue the pursuit of sense gratification.
- At the end of life, a person thinks of what he has done throughout his whole life; thus he gets another body (dehantara) according to his thoughts and desires at the end of life.
- Entangled means now I have got this human form of body, but according to my desire at the time of death I may get another body, which may not be human form of body.
Sanction of the Supreme
While the living entity desires, he is not the creator of his own body. He is dependent on Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa, as the Supersoul, notes the desire and orders material nature to provide the facility. Thus, the living entity wanders through the universe under the supervision of the Supreme Lord.
- Krsna gives order because we want it. Krsna does not force you to enter into the dog's body or hog's body or demigod's body or human being's body, but as we create situation by desire, Krsna gives us the facility to possess such body.
- According to the living entity’s desires, he is wandering from one body to another and from one planet to another, under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Paramatma.
Conclusion
The cycle of birth and death is a direct result of polluted desire. As long as the living entity harbors the desire to enjoy the material world, he will continue to manufacture new material bodies. The only way to stop this mechanical process and return to the spiritual world is to purify the desire—changing the objective from self-satisfaction to the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa.
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 Desiring a Material Body. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.