Darkness - Material and Spiritual Perspectives

In the Vedic view, "darkness" has a dual significance. On one hand, it defines the very nature of the material world—a place of ignorance and absence of self-illumination. On the other hand, it describes the exquisite complexion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is known as Śyāmasundara, the beautiful dark Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses these contrasting definitions to illustrate the difference between material bondage and spiritual perfection.

Nature of Material World

The material universe is constitutionally dark (tamas). Unlike the spiritual world, which is self-luminous, this world requires the aid of the sun, moon, and fire. This physical darkness is a metaphor for the ignorance that covers the conditioned soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that human life is meant to transcend this darkness, not merely to alleviate it with artificial lights.

• Actually this dark universe is illuminated by the sun, but the sun and moon simply reflect the bodily effulgence of the Supreme Lord. In Bhagavad-gita (7.8) the Lord says, prabhasmi sasi-suryayoh: "I am the illuminating energy of both the sun and the moon."
• Krsna consciousness means not to remain in the dark consciousness. Tamasi ma jyotir gama. That is the Vedic instruction, "Don't remain in the darkness." And what is that darkness? The darkness is bodily concept of life.
• It is said: "I was born in the darkest ignorance, and my spiritual master opened my eyes with the torch of knowledge. I offer my respectful obeisances unto him." This gives the definition of the guru.

Beauty of Dark Lord

While material darkness is to be avoided, the dark complexion of Lord Kṛṣṇa is the object of meditation. His body resembles a fresh, dark raincloud (megha-śyāma), a color that is pleasing and beautiful. This transcendental darkness is distinct from the gloom of ignorance.

• After the scorching heat of the summer season, it is very pleasing to see dark clouds in the sky. As confirmed in Brahma-samhita. The Lord wears a peacock feather in His hair, and His bodily complexion is just like a blackish cloud.
• He (Krsna) plays a flute, and His eyes are like the petals of a lotus flower. He wears a peacock feather, and His complexion is very beautiful, like a dark cloud.
• The Balarama feature is as good as Krsna Himself, the only difference being that the bodily hue of Krsna is dark and that of Balarama is fair.

Pastimes in Dark

Kṛṣṇa's pastimes often utilize darkness to enhance the sweetness of His dealings. Whether He is stealing butter in a dark room or entering a cave to recover the Syamantaka jewel, the darkness serves as a background for His self-effulgence or the glitter of His ornaments.

• While the elderly gopis go about their household affairs, Krsna and Balarama sometimes go into a dark room, brightening the place with the valuable jewels and ornaments on Their bodies and taking advantage of this light by stealing - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.8.30.
• He (Krsna) asked them (citizens of Dvaraka) to remain outside, He Himself entered the dark tunnel alone to find Rksa, Jambavan. After entering the tunnel, Krsna saw that the valuable jewel known as Syamantaka had been given to the son of Rksa as a toy.

Darkest Regions

For those who are envious of the Supreme Lord, the darkness of the material world intensifies. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that asuras (demons) who act against the principles of religion glide down to the "darkest regions" of hellish existence.

• Persons who are demons, enemies of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, are called asuras. As stated in Bhagavad-gita, the asuras, because of their enmity toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, take birth after birth in asura families and therefore glide down to the darkest hellish regions.
• Asuras, devoid of self-realization and knowledge of isavasya, the Lord's universal proprietorship, are certain to enter into the darkest regions.

Conclusion

The choice before the living entity is between two types of darkness: the darkness of material ignorance, which leads to suffering, or the shelter of the dark Lord Kṛṣṇa, which leads to enlightenment. By turning to the Lord, even the inherent darkness of this universe can be illuminated by the lamp of knowledge.

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 Dark. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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