Understanding the Conditioned State of Life: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "The term "conditioned state" refers to the situation of the eternal soul when it is covered by material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda compares this state to a disease or a deep sleep, where the living entity forgets their true identity as an eternal servant of God and instead identifies with the temporary material body. This article examines the symptoms, causes, and limitations of the conditioned state, as well as the process for regaining one's original, liberated nature...") |
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In the liberated state, the soul serves Kṛṣṇa voluntarily out of love. In contrast, the conditioned soul is forced to act by the modes of material nature. Driven by contaminated intelligence, the living entity struggles hard for sense gratification, unaware that they are merely a puppet in the hands of the material energy. | In the liberated state, the soul serves Kṛṣṇa voluntarily out of love. In contrast, the conditioned soul is forced to act by the modes of material nature. Driven by contaminated intelligence, the living entity struggles hard for sense gratification, unaware that they are merely a puppet in the hands of the material energy. | ||
* [[Vaniquotes:In the conditioned state, the living entity acts according to his contaminated intelligence. Although he simply remains an observer, he nonetheless acts, being forced by a contaminated intelligence, which in reality is a passive agent|In the conditioned state, the living entity acts according to his contaminated intelligence. Although he simply remains an observer, he nonetheless acts, being forced by a contaminated intelligence, which in reality is a passive agent.]] | * [[Vaniquotes:In the conditioned state, the living entity acts according to his contaminated intelligence. Although he simply remains an observer, he nonetheless acts, being forced by a contaminated intelligence, which in reality is a passive agent|In the conditioned state, the living entity acts according to his contaminated intelligence. Although he simply remains an observer, he nonetheless acts, being forced by a contaminated intelligence, which in reality is a passive agent.]] | ||
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Revision as of 04:22, 16 January 2026
The term "conditioned state" refers to the situation of the eternal soul when it is covered by material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda compares this state to a disease or a deep sleep, where the living entity forgets their true identity as an eternal servant of God and instead identifies with the temporary material body. This article examines the symptoms, causes, and limitations of the conditioned state, as well as the process for regaining one's original, liberated nature.
Bodily Conception
The primary symptom of the conditioned state is the false identification with the body. The soul, which is pure spirit, begins to think in terms of temporary designations such as "I am a human," "I am American," or "I am white." This illusion is the root of all material activities.
- In the conditioned state we are identifying, "I am American," "I am Indian," "I am human being," "I am this," "I am that," "I am white," "I am black." These are all designation. Actually, this is not self-realization.
- In the conditioned state a living entity, accepting his body as himself, forgets his eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead and acts on the interest of his body.
Forced by Nature
In the liberated state, the soul serves Kṛṣṇa voluntarily out of love. In contrast, the conditioned soul is forced to act by the modes of material nature. Driven by contaminated intelligence, the living entity struggles hard for sense gratification, unaware that they are merely a puppet in the hands of the material energy.
- In the conditioned state, the living entity acts according to his contaminated intelligence. Although he simply remains an observer, he nonetheless acts, being forced by a contaminated intelligence, which in reality is a passive agent.
- The Lord is the master of the material energy, but the living entities are in the conditioned state, controlled by the material energy. That is the version of Bhagavad-gita.
Limitations of "Common Brain"
The conditioned state severely limits the cognitive power of the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that a "common brain" in this state cannot conceive of the inconceivable potencies of the Supreme Lord, such as how He can be the master of both spiritual and material energies simultaneously.
- A common brain in the conditioned state cannot conceive of how He (the Supreme Personality of Godhead) is the master of both manifest and potential powers, and how contradictory potencies can abide in Him.
- Since the living being is constitutionally part and parcel of the Lord, he is unable to assimilate all the knowledge that God possesses. In the conditioned state, the living being is subject to forget everything after a change of body known as death.
Cure: Transferring Attachment
The remedy for the conditioned state is not inactivity, but purified activity. By transferring one's attachment from material objects to Kṛṣṇa, the same senses that caused bondage become the means of liberation.
- Our attachment for material things perpetuates our conditional state, but the same attachment, when transferred to the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His devotee, is the source of liberation.
- In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu it is said that although one who has a sincere desire to render loving service to the Supreme Lord is situated in the conditional state of material existence, he is to be considered liberated.
Conclusion
The conditioned state is a temporary anomaly caused by forgetfulness. Just as a cloud covers the sun, material nature covers the consciousness of the living entity. However, through the process of bhakti-yoga, this covering is removed, and the soul returns to its natural, blissful state.
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 Conditioned State. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.