Freedom from Accepting Material Bodies
The fundamental problem of material existence is the repeated acceptance of material bodies, which subjects the living entity to the cycle of birth and death. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that as long as the soul remains attached to material enjoyment and acts in ignorance of its relationship with Kṛṣṇa, it must continue to transmigrate from one body to another, suffering the inevitable miseries of material life. The human form of life offers a unique opportunity to break this cycle through the cultivation of spiritual knowledge and devotional service.
By understanding the distinction between the temporary material body and the eternal self, and by directing one's consciousness toward the Supreme Lord, one can become free from the laws of karma. This article explores Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings on why we accept material bodies, the suffering entailed in this condition, and the scientific process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness that leads to ultimate liberation—returning home, back to Godhead.
Cause of Material Entanglement
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the living entity is forced to accept a material body due to past fruitive activities and the desire to lord over material nature. It is our ignorance and attachment to sense gratification that perpetuate this bondage, creating a chain of actions and reactions known as karma.
- A man engages in sinful activities because he does not know what he did in his past life to get his present materially conditioned body, which is subjected to the threefold miseries.
- Because we wanted to enjoy. So enjoy, you enjoy with this body, particular body. Either human's body, or dog's body, or cat's body, or demigod's body, you get as you desire. You get a material body and enjoy. This is material life.
- By the laws of nature one is offered another body to fulfill his unsatisfied desires, and upon taking birth again, accepting another material body, one voluntarily accepts the threefold miseries of life.
- Entangled means for one resultant action we are now, we have got this body. Again we are going to take another material body. So this is a chain of birth and death.
Inherent Misery of Embodiment
According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the very act of accepting a material body dictates that one must undergo suffering, regardless of one's social position or species. The body is temporary and a source of anxiety, inevitably leading to birth, death, old age, and disease.
- If we accept a material body, then all the miserable conditions that we are undergoing with this body, we have to accept it. This is not pessimistic view of life, but this is a fact. Only responsible persons, they can understand.
- So long we are attached to this nonpermanent body, there should be anxiety. Prahlada Maharaja says, asad-grahat, sada samudvigna-dhiyam asad-grahat (SB 7.5.5). Because we have accepted this temporary body, therefore we are full of anxiety.
- So long you'll get this material body, you have to suffer. It is meant for suffering. As soon as you get this material body, this body or that body, you have to suffer.
Divine vs. Mundane Bodies
There is a distinct difference between the living entity and the Supreme Lord; while the jīva is conditioned by material nature and accepts material bodies, the Lord's form is transcendental and eternal. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that God never accepts a body made of material elements, and thinking otherwise is a sign of ignorance.
- Ordinary living beings assume material bodies, but the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not.
- This (sac-cid-ananda-vigraha) is God's constitution. This our constitution. The difference between God and ourself is that God never accepts this material body, but sometimes we, under certain circumstances, we have to accept this material body.
- Those who think that the Supreme Lord appears in different forms by accepting a body made of material elements are wrong; their vision is imperfect because they do not understand how the Lord's internal potency works.
Path to Liberation
To stop the cycle of birth and death, one must cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness and understand the science of the soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that by engaging in devotional service and utilizing the human form of life to understand God, one can purify their existence and avoid taking another material birth.
- We should work in such a way that we will not get another material body, How can this be done? We simply have to try to understand Krsna.
- This (stopping samsara) can be done only when one is Krsna conscious, or has achieved the service of the lotus feet of the Lord. Otherwise one must rot in this material world and accept a material body subject to birth, death, old age and disease.
- Anyone who simply understands Krsna, then the result will be that after quitting this body you won't have to come back again in this material world and accept a body for different kinds of miserable condition. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti.
Ultimate Perfection
The perfection of existence is not voidism, but the attainment of a spiritual body in the eternal abode of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that those who are fully Kṛṣṇa conscious return home, back to Godhead, never to return to this miserable material world.
- After giving up this body, one who is fully Krsna conscious does not accept another material body but returns home, back to Godhead. Everyone should try to attain this perfection.
- In truth, not superficially, if you understand Krsna, then tyaktva deham punar janma naiti (BG 4.9): after giving up this body, you'll not have to accept another material body. That is samsiddhim paramam gatah. That is highest perfection of life.
- If we become Krsna conscious, we will not get another material body after leaving this body. We will go home, back to Godhead, and attain our original, spiritual body, which is the same kind of beautiful body that Krsna, Narayana, has.
Conclusion
Freedom from accepting material bodies is the ultimate goal of the human form of life. Śrīla Prabhupāda tirelessly taught that we are not these temporary bodies but eternal spirit souls, trapped in the cycle of saṁsāra due to our desire for material enjoyment. By understanding the miserable nature of material existence and the transcendental position of the Supreme Lord, one can awaken their dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This spiritual awakening extinguishes the fire of material existence, ensuring that upon leaving the present body, the soul does not accept another material vessel but returns to the spiritual world to serve Kṛṣṇa eternally in a spiritual body.
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 Accepting Material Bodies. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.