Eternal Constitutional Position: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "The fundamental question of "Who am I?" is answered with precision in the Vedic literature. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that every living entity has an eternal constitutional position, or ''svarūpa''. Unlike the temporary bodily designations of "man," "woman," "American," or "Indian," this identity is immutable. The soul is, by nature, an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Realizing and acting upon this truth is the essence of self-real...") |
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* [[Vaniquotes:Liberation means to be situated in one's constitutional position as the eternal servitor of Krsna (Krsna consciousness). BG 1972 purports|Liberation means to be situated in one's constitutional position as the eternal servitor of Krsna (Krsna consciousness).]] | * [[Vaniquotes:Liberation means to be situated in one's constitutional position as the eternal servitor of Krsna (Krsna consciousness). BG 1972 purports|Liberation means to be situated in one's constitutional position as the eternal servitor of Krsna (Krsna consciousness).]] | ||
* [[Vaniquotes:Every living entity is by constitutional position an eternal servant of Krsna. As soon as one engages in the service of Lord Vasudeva, he attains his normal constitutional position. This position is called the liberated stage|Every living entity is by constitutional position an eternal servant of Krsna. As soon as one engages in the service of Lord Vasudeva, he attains his normal constitutional position. This position is called the liberated stage.]] | * [[Vaniquotes:Every living entity is by constitutional position an eternal servant of Krsna. As soon as one engages in the service of Lord Vasudeva, he attains his normal constitutional position. This position is called the liberated stage|Every living entity is by constitutional position an eternal servant of Krsna. As soon as one engages in the service of Lord Vasudeva, he attains his normal constitutional position. This position is called the liberated stage.]] | ||
* [[Vaniquotes:He who is actually elevated in Krsna consciousness does not care for the different processes. He simply directly engages himself in activities of KC and thereby factually attains his constitutional position as eternal servitor of Lord Krsna. BG 1972 pur|He who is actually elevated in Krsna consciousness does not care for the different processes. He simply directly engages himself in activities of | * [[Vaniquotes:He who is actually elevated in Krsna consciousness does not care for the different processes. He simply directly engages himself in activities of KC and thereby factually attains his constitutional position as eternal servitor of Lord Krsna. BG 1972 pur|He who is actually elevated in Krsna consciousness does not care for the different processes. He simply directly engages himself in activities of Krsna consciousness and thereby factually attains his constitutional position as eternal servitor of Lord Krsna.]] | ||
=== Dependence on Lord === | === Dependence on Lord === | ||
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Revision as of 13:03, 19 January 2026
The fundamental question of "Who am I?" is answered with precision in the Vedic literature. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that every living entity has an eternal constitutional position, or svarūpa. Unlike the temporary bodily designations of "man," "woman," "American," or "Indian," this identity is immutable. The soul is, by nature, an eternal servant of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Realizing and acting upon this truth is the essence of self-realization.
Verdict of Lord Caitanya
When Sanātana Gosvāmī asked Lord Caitanya about the real identity of the living being, the Lord replied with a definitive statement: jīvera 'svarūpa' haya—kṛṣṇera 'nitya-dāsa'. This axiom forms the foundation of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness philosophy. Just as sugar is constitutionally sweet and fire is constitutionally hot, the living entity is constitutionally a servant.
- As described by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, jivera 'svarupa' haya-krsnera 'nitya-dasa': (CC Madhya 20.108) the constitutional position of the living entity is that he is the eternal servant of Krsna.
- Actually, the constitutional position of the living entities are that he is eternally servant of God.
- Original means eternal servant of God, Krsna. That is our constitutional position. We are eternal servant of God, Krsna.
Cause of Entrapment
Why is the eternal soul suffering in a temporary world? Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it is due to forgetfulness. When the living entity rejects their position as a servant and tries to imitate the master, they are captured by the illusory energy, māyā. This unnatural state forces the soul to serve the senses and the dictations of the mind rather than the Lord.
- Materialistic life means forgetting one's constitutional position as the eternal servant of Krsna, and this forgetfulness is especially enhanced in the grhastha-asrama.
- As soon as the living entity forgets his real, constitutional position of eternal servitorship to the Lord and wants instead to enjoy himself by sense gratification, he is captured by maya.
- Although he (the embodied soul) is constitutionally eternal, blissful and cognizant, due to the littleness of his existence he forgets his constitutional position of service to the Lord and is thus entrapped by nescience.
True Liberation
Liberation is often misunderstood as becoming void or merging into the light. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that true liberation means being reinstated in one's original position. Since the soul is active by nature, it cannot remain idle. Liberation implies engaging that activity in its proper channel: the service of Kṛṣṇa.
- Liberation means to be situated in one's constitutional position as the eternal servitor of Krsna (Krsna consciousness).
- Every living entity is by constitutional position an eternal servant of Krsna. As soon as one engages in the service of Lord Vasudeva, he attains his normal constitutional position. This position is called the liberated stage.
- He who is actually elevated in Krsna consciousness does not care for the different processes. He simply directly engages himself in activities of Krsna consciousness and thereby factually attains his constitutional position as eternal servitor of Lord Krsna.
Dependence on Lord
The living entity is the marginal potency of the Lord, simultaneously one with and different from Him. Because the soul is small, it cannot be happy independently. Just as a spark loses its brilliance when separated from the fire, the soul loses its happiness when separated from Kṛṣṇa.
- The living entity cannot be happy independant of the cooperation of the Supreme Lord because the eternal constitutional position of the living entity is to become subordinate to the desires of the Lord.
- It is the living entity's constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Krsna because he is the marginal energy of Krsna and a manifestation simultaneously one with and different from the Lord, like a molecular particle of sunshine or fire.
Conclusion
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement aims to revive this lost memory. By practicing devotional service, one cleanses the heart and realizes that they are not the master of the world, but the eternal servant of the Supreme. This realization brings an end to the struggle for existence and establishes the soul in eternal bliss.
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 Eternal Constitutional Position. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.