Everything Material or Spiritual Is an Expansion of Kṛṣṇa's Energy
The cosmic manifestation is a complex interplay of energies, but the source of these energies is one: the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the duality we perceive—between matter and spirit—exists primarily due to our forgetfulness of the Lord. In reality, everything is His energy. Whether in the material world or the spiritual world, Kṛṣṇa is the central enjoyer and the ultimate proprietor. A devotee who realizes this truth utilizes everything in the service of the Lord, thereby spiritualizing their entire existence.
Source of All Energies
The Vedānta-sūtra and Bhagavad-gītā confirm that Kṛṣṇa is the energetic source of both the material and spiritual worlds. Just as the stomach is the enjoyer of the body, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the enjoyer of the entire cosmic manifestation.
- Anything, either material or spiritual, is but an expansion of the energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as stated in the Bhagavad-gita, the omnipotent Lord has His transcendental eyes, heads and other bodily parts distributed everywhere.
- In the Vedanta-sutra, Vyasadeva has described that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is potent and that everything, material or spiritual, is but an emanation of His energy.
- As in this body the stomach is the enjoyer, the central figure of the whole cosmic manifestation, material or spiritual, is Krsna, God. He is the enjoyer. We can understand this just by considering our own bodies.
Pure Devotee Desires Nothing
A distinctive feature of a pure devotee, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes, is the absence of personal desire. While karmīs seek material gain and jñānīs seek spiritual liberation (merging), the devotee seeks neither. Their only prayer is to serve the Lord, regardless of the condition of life.
- A pure devotee never asks for any kind of material or spiritual benediction from the Lord; his only prayer is that he may not forget the lotus feet of the Lord (Krsna) in any condition of life.
- Karmis, jnanis and yogis all hanker to possess some material or spiritual assets. Karmis want material possessions, jnanis and yogis want spiritual possessions, but devotees do not want any material or spiritual assets.
- The word ahaituki means "without reason." A pure devotee does not render loving service to the Personality of Godhead for any cause or for any benefit, material or spiritual. This is the first symptom of unalloyed devotion.
Spiritualizing the Material
When an activity is performed for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, it ceases to be material; it becomes yajña (sacrifice). Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that a Kṛṣṇa conscious person does not reject material things (phalgu-vairāgya) but engages them in the Lord's service. For example, the Pāṇḍavas used their military prowess and resources for Kṛṣṇa's cause, showing that there is no scarcity of resources for a devotee.
- Anything material or spiritual done for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord is understood to be an actual yajna, and by performing such yajnas one gets liberation from material bondage.
- One who is in full Krsna consciousness does not distinguish between things material and spiritual; he takes everything to be related to Krsna and therefore spiritual.
- As far as the material or spiritual resources were required, there was no scarcity in the case of the Pandavas. Materially they were well equipped because two great warriors, namely Bhima and Arjuna, were there.
Power of Regulation
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes one more point regarding power: regardless of whether one's goal is material or spiritual, the acquisition of power depends on strict adherence to principles. A brahmacārī who follows his vows becomes powerful. Conversely, contamination by sinful activities reduces one's potency in both spheres.
- Anyone who sticks to the regulative principles, he gets a power, spiritual or material. He gets power. A brahmacari gets power if he follows brahmacarya. Everyone, if we follow the prescribed rules and regulations, automatically you become powerful.
- When one is infected by contaminated activities, his power, material or spiritual, reduces.
Conclusion
The duality of "material vs. spiritual", Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts, is resolved in the realization of Kṛṣṇa. Since nothing exists outside of His energy, the sincere soul sees Him everywhere. By giving up the desire for personal enjoyment—whether in this world or the next—and engaging everything in the service of the Lord, one attains the highest platform of realization.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Material or Spiritual. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.