Entering the Eternal Kingdom of God: Difference between revisions
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=== | === Nature of the Spiritual World === | ||
The kingdom of God is not subject to the laws of material nature. In the material world, everything is acted upon by the three modes—goodness, passion, and ignorance—resulting in creation, maintenance, and destruction. In contrast, the spiritual world is ''sanātana'', or eternal. It is a place of pure consciousness where the illusion of time and death does not exist. | The kingdom of God is not subject to the laws of material nature. In the material world, everything is acted upon by the three modes—goodness, passion, and ignorance—resulting in creation, maintenance, and destruction. In contrast, the spiritual world is ''sanātana'', or eternal. It is a place of pure consciousness where the illusion of time and death does not exist. | ||
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* [[Vaniquotes:More intelligent men guided by sages like Vyasa and Narada know that the eternal kingdom of God is more delightful, larger, and eternally full of bliss and knowledge|More intelligent men guided by sages like Vyasa and Narada know that the eternal kingdom of God is more delightful, larger, and eternally full of bliss and knowledge.]] | * [[Vaniquotes:More intelligent men guided by sages like Vyasa and Narada know that the eternal kingdom of God is more delightful, larger, and eternally full of bliss and knowledge|More intelligent men guided by sages like Vyasa and Narada know that the eternal kingdom of God is more delightful, larger, and eternally full of bliss and knowledge.]] | ||
=== | === True Home of the Soul === | ||
Why is the living entity unhappy in the material world? Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it is a mismatch of nature. The soul is eternal, while the body and the world are temporary. Real happiness can only be found when the eternal soul resides in the eternal abode, the ''paravyoma''. | Why is the living entity unhappy in the material world? Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it is a mismatch of nature. The soul is eternal, while the body and the world are temporary. Real happiness can only be found when the eternal soul resides in the eternal abode, the ''paravyoma''. | ||
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* [[Vaniquotes:Spiritual happiness in the eternal kingdom of God cannot be imagined even by the great brahmacaris or sannyasis who are eligible to be promoted to the planets beyond the region of heaven|Spiritual happiness in the eternal kingdom of God cannot be imagined even by the great brahmacaris or sannyasis who are eligible to be promoted to the planets beyond the region of heaven.]] | * [[Vaniquotes:Spiritual happiness in the eternal kingdom of God cannot be imagined even by the great brahmacaris or sannyasis who are eligible to be promoted to the planets beyond the region of heaven|Spiritual happiness in the eternal kingdom of God cannot be imagined even by the great brahmacaris or sannyasis who are eligible to be promoted to the planets beyond the region of heaven.]] | ||
=== | === Path of Entry === | ||
Entering this kingdom is not a matter of mental speculation or material adjustment. It requires the revival of one's original consciousness through the practice of devotional service. Under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, one cleanses the heart of sinful reactions and becomes qualified to enter the ''nitya-līlā'', the eternal pastimes of the Lord. | Entering this kingdom is not a matter of mental speculation or material adjustment. It requires the revival of one's original consciousness through the practice of devotional service. Under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, one cleanses the heart of sinful reactions and becomes qualified to enter the ''nitya-līlā'', the eternal pastimes of the Lord. | ||
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(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]]) | (See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]]) | ||
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Revision as of 13:09, 19 January 2026
The material world is characterized by duality and impermanence. Whatever is created here must eventually be destroyed. However, beyond this temporary manifestation lies another nature, described in the scriptures as the eternal kingdom of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this kingdom is the ultimate destination for humanity, offering a life of endless bliss and knowledge that the eternal soul naturally craves.
Nature of the Spiritual World
The kingdom of God is not subject to the laws of material nature. In the material world, everything is acted upon by the three modes—goodness, passion, and ignorance—resulting in creation, maintenance, and destruction. In contrast, the spiritual world is sanātana, or eternal. It is a place of pure consciousness where the illusion of time and death does not exist.
- The interaction of the three qualities makes it possible for things to be created, maintained and annihilated. But in the spiritual world, or the kingdom of God, there is no such exhibition, since everything is eternal, sentient and blissful.
- Eternal kingdom, which is never destructible like this material world, can be approached by amudhah. Amudhah means nonbewildered, one who is not bewildered by the attraction of this false enjoyment.
- More intelligent men guided by sages like Vyasa and Narada know that the eternal kingdom of God is more delightful, larger, and eternally full of bliss and knowledge.
True Home of the Soul
Why is the living entity unhappy in the material world? Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that it is a mismatch of nature. The soul is eternal, while the body and the world are temporary. Real happiness can only be found when the eternal soul resides in the eternal abode, the paravyoma.
- Because the living being is eternal, he can be happy only in the eternal abode of the kingdom of God (paravyoma), from which no one returns to this region of repeated birth and death, disease and old age.
- One can get complete liberation from all the above-mentioned material pangs when one enters into the eternal Brahmaloka sanatana atmosphere, the kingdom of God.
- Spiritual happiness in the eternal kingdom of God cannot be imagined even by the great brahmacaris or sannyasis who are eligible to be promoted to the planets beyond the region of heaven.
Path of Entry
Entering this kingdom is not a matter of mental speculation or material adjustment. It requires the revival of one's original consciousness through the practice of devotional service. Under the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, one cleanses the heart of sinful reactions and becomes qualified to enter the nitya-līlā, the eternal pastimes of the Lord.
- In the Eighth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita it is clearly said that the Supreme Person, who lives eternally in the spiritual kingdom of God (sanatana-dhama), can be approached only by devotional service.
- If he makes progress under the direction of the Spiritual Master, then he revives his original Krsna Consciousness in full and thus he regains his position in the eternal Kingdom of God.
- By engaging oneself in devotional service, one can gradually enter into the eternal kingdom of God.
Specific Abodes
The kingdom of God is not a void; it is filled with specific planets and locations. Places like Dhruvaloka, Mathurā, and Dvārakā are eternal realms within the spiritual sky. Even the term "Brahmaloka," when used in a specific context by commentators like Śrīdhara Svāmī, refers to Vaikuṇṭha.
- Dhruvaloka is one of the lokas like Svetadvipa, Mathura and Dvaraka. They are all eternal places in the kingdom of Godhead, which is described in the Bhagavad-gita (tad dhama paramam) and in the Vedas.
- Srila Sridhara Svami rightly commenting on this verse (SB 2.5.39), says that the Brahmaloka mentioned here is Vaikuntha, the kingdom of God, which is sanatana, or eternal, and is not exactly like the material creations described above.
Conclusion
Human life is a rare opportunity to break the cycle of birth and death. Śrīla Prabhupāda urges us to take every risk to attain this eternal kingdom. Holding onto material attachments only disqualifies one from entering the realm of eternal bliss.
- If there is some chance of entering such a immortal, eternal kingdom of God, why should I not take chance? - You should take chance at all risk in this life to enter into the nitya-lila, nitya-lila, eternal pastimes of the Lord.
- One who wants to remain here in the material world for material enjoyment has no business entering into the eternal kingdom of God. The Lord favors such a foolish devotee by snatching all that he may possess in the material world.
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 Kingdom of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.