Becoming One with Impersonal Brahman - A Rejected Liberation
The spiritual journey often begins with a desire to escape the miseries of the material world. For the jñānī, this escape culminates in sāyujya, or the attempt at becoming one with the impersonal Brahman effulgence. However, the Vedic conclusion reveals that this impersonal aspect of the Absolute Truth is not the final destination. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that while the brahmajyoti is a spiritual reality, the desire to merge into it is considered a "rejected liberation" by the pure devotees, who favor the eternal variety of the spiritual planets.
The Immature Goal
Many transcendentalists believe that the highest perfection is the annihilation of individuality and the attainment of oneness with Brahman. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that this conception does not represent mature knowledge. Real knowledge leads one beyond the impersonal light to the source of that light—the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Only by surrendering to the Lord and engaging in His service can a living entity reach a stable and perfect state of existence.
- Becoming one with the brahmajyoti does not represent mature knowledge. Only by surrendering unto the Lord completely and developing one's sense of spiritual service does one reach the highest perfectional stage.
- Finally there is the jnana-kanda, which recommends activities that enable one to reach the Absolute Truth and realize His impersonal feature in order to become one with Him. But the impersonal aspect of the Absolute Truth is not the last word.
- Brahma satyam jagan mithya. This is all false. Now let us become Brahman, become one with Brahman." But that is also false. That idea, to become one with the Brahman, that is also false. So real reality is Krsna consciousness.
A Subtle Form of Self-Interest
While the desire for material sense gratification is obviously selfish, the desire for impersonal liberation is also classified as a form of self-interest. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that jñānīs and yogīs want to refuse a material body because they are tired of suffering, but their focus remains on their own relief. A devotee, however, is selfless; they do not mind accepting a material body if it allows them to serve Kṛṣṇa. For the devotee, the pleasure of the Lord is the only priority.
- A devotee does not think like yogis and jnanis, who want to refuse a material body and become one with the impersonal Brahman effulgence. A devotee does not like this idea.
- Actually they (the sannyasis who artificially think that they have become liberated) are self-interested because their goal is becoming one with the impersonal Brahman.
- Such a desire (becoming one with the impersonal Brahman) is greater than any material desire, but it is not without self-interest.
Hellish Conception of Oneness
In the advanced stage of God consciousness, the idea of "becoming one" and losing the ability to love and serve Kṛṣṇa is viewed with distaste. For a pure devotee, the impersonal effulgence is considered "hellish" because it is a state of spiritual inactivity. The soul is by nature active, and to be suspended in a void-like oneness is a denial of the soul's constitutional function. Consequently, devotees have no eagerness for such liberation, preferring instead the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
- In that (brahma-bhuta) stage of existence, the idea of becoming one with the Supreme Brahman and annihilating one's individuality becomes hellish.
- They (devotees of God) have no eagerness to be happy by being placed in the heavenly planets, becoming liberated or becoming one with Brahman, the supreme effulgence. These benefits do not appeal them. They are interested in giving direct service to God.
- Out of the two possibilities of merging in transcendence - namely becoming one with the impersonal Brahman effulgence and becoming one with the Personality of Godhead - the latter is more abominable to the devotee.
Conclusion
Real liberation does not mean becoming one with the impersonal Brahman, but rather becoming one with the interest of the Lord. As Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes, the goal of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is to enter the spiritual planets for personal association and service. The impersonal effulgence may be the destination for those who seek to end their existence, but for the devotee, it is merely the outer radiance of the spiritual kingdom where the eternal varieties of life and love truly begin.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Becoming One with Impersonal Brahman. 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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