From Becoming Affected by Matter to Becoming Affected by Spirit
In the material world, to be "affected" usually implies falling under the influence of something external. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the conditioned soul is constantly being affected by the three modes of material nature—goodness, passion, and ignorance. However, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, is unique because He never falls under this influence. This article explores the distinction between the fallible living entity and the infallible Lord, and how we can trade our material contamination for spiritual ecstasy.
Vulnerable Living Entity
The constitutional position of the living entity is marginal, meaning he is susceptible to influence. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that we become affected not only by our physical actions but even by our thoughts and associations. If one mixes intimately with atheists or engages in bad habits like intoxication, the consciousness immediately becomes polluted. This susceptibility forces the soul to suffer the reactions of karma.
- When we come into this material world, we become contaminated, we become affected by this, by the influence of this material nature. But Visnu, although He is looking after the management of creation of this brahmanda, He is not affected.
- Nor should we extend invitations to Mayavadis and atheists nor accept their invitations, for by such intimate intermingling we may become affected by their atheistic mentality (sangat sanjayate kamah).
- Even by mind, we can commit sinful activities. If I contemplate something sinful by my mind, then we become affected. Therefore we must keep always sinless.
Kṛṣṇa is Never Affected
A common mistake made by fools (mūḍhas) is to think that when God descends to this world, He becomes affected by material nature just as we do. Śrīla Prabhupāda corrects this misconception, explaining that Kṛṣṇa is the master of māyā. Just as a king visits a prison house without becoming a prisoner, the Lord enters the material world without being touched by its qualities. He remains always in His original, transcendental status (turya).
- Krsna, the Lord, when He comes within this material world - yuge yuge sambhavamy atma-mayaya (BG 4.6) - He comes in His own original turya status. He does not become affected. He's not affected. This is the position of Krsna. He's always transcendental.
- Maya cannot stand without Krsna. But Krsna is not affected by maya. Because Krsna is not affected, absorbed. But the living entities, yaya sammohito jiva, the living entities, they become affected by the presence of maya.
Becoming Affected by Bhakti
While becoming affected by matter leads to bondage, becoming affected by spiritual emotion leads to liberation. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the beautiful symptoms of advanced devotees who, upon hearing the glories of the Lord, become overwhelmed with ecstasy. Furthermore, by dedicating one's work to God, one acts in the world without being entangled by it. This positive "infection" of Kṛṣṇa consciousness acts as an antidote to material existence.
- Anyone who takes to Krsna consciousness becomes more and more affected by it and forgets his material consciousness.
- One who becomes affected by the pleasure potency of the Supreme Lord manifests various symptoms of ecstasy, such as slackening of the heart, laughing, crying, shivering, and dancing. These symptoms are not material.
- Anyone who is fully conversant with all the intricacies of this law of karma, or fruitive activities, does not become affected by the results of his activities.
Conclusion
The path of spiritual life is essentially a change of influence. We are currently infected by the three modes of nature, which dictate our happiness and distress. By voluntarily placing ourselves under the influence of the internal potency—through chanting and hearing—we become immune to the external energy. As we become more deeply affected by the beauty and mercy of Kṛṣṇa, the hold of the material world naturally fades away.
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 Becoming Affected. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.