Vedic Understanding of Annihilation
In the material world, everything that has a beginning must have an end. This is the law of annihilation. Śrīla Prabhupāda provides a vast and detailed exposition on this subject, ranging from the death of the biological body to the dissolution of the entire universe. Yet, amidst this inevitable destruction, the Vedic literature offers the promise of amṛtatva—that which is never annihilated. Understanding the difference between the temporary material body and the eternal spirit soul is the first step in conquering the fear of annihilation.
The Myth of Total Death
The common fear of death arises from the misconception that the self is destroyed when the body dies. Śrīla Prabhupāda tirelessly corrects this view by citing the Bhagavad-gītā. He explains that annihilation applies only to the material covering. The conscious observer within—the spirit soul—survives the dissolution of the body and moves on to a new destination.
- Actually, death means annihilation of the present body. As soon as the present body stops functioning and mixes with the five elements of material nature, the living entity within the body accepts another body.
- As spirit is not annihilated even after the annihilation of the material body, so also spiritual consciousness is not annihilated.
- The soul is never annihilated. Avyayam: indestructible, immutable. So Krsna is explaining in different ways the nature of the soul. We have to take it seriously, then we get perfect knowledge.
- It is within our experience that every created thing is subject to annihilation. The eternality of the spirit soul is proved through its noncreatability by material means.
- Take advantage of this knowledge, understand the philosophy of life, that "I am eternal." Na hanyate hanyamane sarire (BG 2.20). I do not die after the annihilation of this body. I accept another body.
Cosmic Cycles of Devastation
Just as the body dies, the universe itself undergoes cycles of destruction. Śrīla Prabhupāda details two primary types of cosmic annihilation: the partial devastation at the end of Lord Brahmā's day (every 4.32 billion years) and the total annihilation at the end of Brahmā's life. During these periods, the manifest world enters an unmanifest state, only to be created again.
- Annihilation of the material world takes place in two ways. Partial annihilation occurs at the end of every 4,300,000 x 1,000 solar years, or at the end of each day of Brahmaloka, which is the topmost planet in the material world.
- Avyakta means the night of Brahma, when partial annihilation takes place and the living entities of that particular brahmanda, up to the planets of Brahmaloka, along with the big oceans, etc., all repose in the belly of the virat-purusa.
- At the end of every 4,320,000,000 solar years, when Brahma, the lord of one particular universe, goes to sleep, there is one annihilation. And at the end of Lord Brahma's life, which takes place at the end of Brahma's one hundred years of age.
- O King Pariksit, at the end of the past millennium, at the end of Brahma's day, because Lord Brahma sleeps during the night, annihilation took place, and the three worlds were covered by the water of the ocean.
- The three kinds of annihilations are (1) due to the scheduled time of the annihilation of the entire universe, (2) due to a fire which emanates from the mouth of Ananta, and (3) due to one's qualitative actions and reactions.
The Supreme Annihilator
Annihilation is not an accidental or chaotic event; it is orchestrated by the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that God is the source of creation, maintenance, and annihilation. He is the āśraya (shelter) into whom everything enters at the time of dissolution. Acknowledging God's role as the annihilator is essential to understanding His absolute nature.
- According to the Vedanta-sutra (janmady asya yatah (SB 1.1.1)), since creation, maintenance and annihilation exist in the Supreme Absolute, whatever we find within this material world is already in the spiritual world.
- Krsna is the original source of creation and the ultimate rest after annihilation. Krsna is therefore the eternal cause of all causes.
- The Lord is the creator of everything. Everything is born of Him, everything is sustained by Him, and everything, after annihilation, rests in Him.
- It is rightly stated herein (SB 6.16.35) that the credit for all the opulences of creation, maintenance and annihilation belongs to the Supreme Lord, not to the living entities.
- This entire material creation comes from the body of the SP of G and at the time of annihilation again enters into Him. This process of creation and dissolution is made possible by the breathing of the Maha-Visnu, who is only a plenary portion of Krsna.
The Process of Dissolution
The mechanism of annihilation involves the withdrawal of the material elements back into their subtle causes. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how the cosmos merges into the body of Lord Nārāyaṇa or Mahā-Viṣṇu. The living entities, suspended in a state of inactivity, await the next creation to resume their karmic activities.
- After each annihilation of the material creation, all the living entities are merged within the body of the Lord, and after creation they are again impregnated within the material energy.
- The whole creation merges within the body of transcendental Narayana at the time of annihilation, and the creation emanates from His body again with the same unchanging categories of fate and individual nature.
- Simply due to the glance of Lord Ananta, the three material modes of nature interact and produce creation, maintenance and annihilation. These modes of nature appear again and again.
- In the material world everything is created, and everything is annihilated, and the duration of life between the creation and annihilation is temporary.
- Then, as the Supersoul, He enters each body and influences the qualities of creation, maintenance and annihilation, using sattva-guna for maintenance, rajo-guna for creation and tamo-guna for annihilation.
Beyond Annihilation: The Spiritual World
While the material world is subject to repeated creation and destruction, there is another nature that is eternal. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the existence of the sanātana (eternal) atmosphere—the Vaikuṇṭha planets—where the mode of ignorance is absent, and thus annihilation does not exist. This is the destination for the liberated souls.
- Since the quality of passion is conspicuous by its absence in the Vaikuntha planets, nothing there is created; everything there is eternally existent. And because there is no mode of ignorance, there is also no question of annihilation or destruction.
- Even after annihilation of this whole cosmic manifestation, the spiritual varieties will not be annihilated.
- The Vaikunthalokas, also accepted in the Bhagavad-gita as being of the sanatana nature, are not annihilated even after the annihilation of the manifested cosmos.
- There is no question of creation and annihilation in the brahmajyoti, or spiritual sky. The Bhagavad-gita also confirms that beyond the material sky there is another, eternal, spiritual sky, where everything is eternally existing.
- Material nature is subject to repeated creation and annihilation, that spiritual nature remains as it is eternally.
Philosophical Misconceptions
Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts the Vedic conclusion with other philosophical systems, particularly Buddhism and material science. While Buddhists seek nirvāṇa (annihilation of the self) as the ultimate goal to end suffering, Vaiṣṇavas understand that the self is eternal and cannot be annihilated. Similarly, material scientists may theorize about antimatter or nuclear annihilation, but they lack knowledge of the spiritual antimaterial world that survives all physical clashes.
- Along the Buddhist path there are nine principles: (1) The creation is eternal; therefore there is no need to accept a creator. (2) This cosmic manifestation is false. (3) “I am” is the truth. (4) There is repetition of birth and death. (5) Lord Buddha is the only source of understanding the truth. (6) The principle of nirvana, or annihilation, is the ultimate goal. (7) The philosophy of Buddha is the only philosophical path. (8) The Vedas are compiled by human beings. (9) Pious activities, showing mercy to others and so on are advised.
- The Buddhists theorize that annihilation, or nirvana, is the ultimate goal.
- Their first principle is that the creation has always existed. But if this were the case, there could be no theory of annihilation. The Buddhists maintain that annihilation, or dissolution, is the highest truth.
- We think that the theory maintaining that the material and antimaterial worlds may clash, resulting in the annihilation of both worlds, is correct only within the context of the scientists' limited definition of antimatter. The Bhagavad-gītā explains the nature of the antimaterial particle, which can never be annihilated: The fine and immeasurable antimaterial particle is always indestructible, permanent and eternal. After a certain period, however, its encagement by material particles is annihilated. This same principle also operates in the case of the material and antimaterial worlds. No one should fear the annihilation of the antimaterial particle, for it survives the annihilation of material worlds.
Shelter from the Storm
In a world destined for destruction, where is the safety? Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that the devotees are protected. Even during the cosmic devastation, the Lord protects the Vedas and His devotees. By taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa, one transcends the fear of annihilation and prepares for a life that is eternal, full of knowledge, and blissful.
- Devotees do not fear the annihilation of the body, for they are confident that after the annihilation they will go back home, back to Godhead.
- Intelligence engaged in My devotion cannot be thwarted at any time. Even at the time of creation, as well as at the time of annihilation, your remembrance will continue by My mercy.
- If we adhere to the lotus feet of the six Gosvamis and pray for their mercy, all impediments will be annihilated, and the transcendental devotional desire to serve the Supreme Lord will be fulfilled.
- Krsna is the ultimate goal of shelter, and as such one should take shelter of Krsna either for protection or for annihilation of his distressed condition.
- Those who are engaged in creation, maintenance and annihilation should consult the Supreme Person, who has appointed them, and should act accordingly. Then everyone will be satisfied, and there will be no disturbances.
Conclusion
The Vedic understanding of annihilation is not a message of doom, but a revelation of reality. It strips away the illusion of permanence in the material world and points us toward the eternal reality of the spiritual sky. By accepting Kṛṣṇa as the ultimate cause and shelter, the living entity can pass through the cycles of creation and annihilation unaffected, ultimately returning to their eternal home.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Annihilation. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.