How the Soul Becomes Involved in the Laws of Nature
Every action performed in the material world generates a reaction, binding the performer to a complex web of consequences. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the living entity, although originally free, becomes involved in the stringent laws of nature through whimsical action and the misuse of independence. Driven by the modes of passion and ignorance, the soul attempts to exploit material resources for personal enjoyment, only to find themselves increasingly entangled in a cycle of birth, death, and forgetfulness.
Mechanism of Entanglement
The primary cause of material entanglement is the desire to act independently of the Supreme Lord. When a person ignores Vedic authority and acts according to their own whims and false prestige, they are immediately captured by the laws of nature. This involvement is mechanical and precise; just as a citizen becomes involved in criminal law by violating the state codes, the soul becomes involved in the cycle of karma by violating the laws of God.
- A person who acts whimsically falls down due to false prestige. Thus he becomes involved in the laws of nature, which are composed of the three qualities (goodness, passion and ignorance).
- As soon as one forgets that he is an eternal servant of Krsna, he becomes involved in material attachments.
- Being very eager to enjoy the fruits of their activities, conditioned souls become involved in the actions and reactions of material life. Consequently they enjoy and suffer the results of karma.
Role of Sex Life and Attachment
The most powerful force that deepens one's involvement in material existence is the attraction between man and woman. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the sex impulse acts as the foundational knot of material life. From this initial attraction, one expands their involvement into family, society, community, and nation, creating layers of obligation and attachment that make liberation increasingly difficult.
- Because of the strong sex impulse the living entity becomes more and more involved in this material world.
- The living entity, being inclined toward sexual gratification, becomes involved in many hundreds and thousands of actions and reactions.
- Such attracted (foolish persons) persons become involved in society, community and nation and waste their time, not having profited from having obtained human forms.
- When the modes of passion and ignorance increase in human society, giving rise to unnecessary economic development, the result is that people become involved with wine, women and gambling.
Freedom Through Spiritual Involvement
While material involvement binds the soul, spiritual involvement liberates it. The solution is not inactivity, but a change in the nature of one's activities. By following the instructions of the spiritual master and engaging in the service of Kṛṣṇa—such as distributing transcendental literature or participating in philosophical discussions—one remains active but free from the reactions of work.
- You have now got this golden opportunity of human form of life, and it is not by accident that you have met your spiritual master and have become involved in Krsna's work.
- The words jnanena na sa lipyate indicate that by following the Vedic principles, one does not become involved in the actions and reactions of his fruitive activities. Everyone is thus advised to act in terms of the Vedic injunctions and not irresponsibly.
- As more students become involved in our philosophical discussions, you will be able to sell them our books. I want that my books and literatures should be very widely distributed, as many as possible.
Conclusion
Becoming involved in the material world is a subtle process that begins with a simple desire for independent enjoyment and ends in a formidable network of karmic bondage. Whether through the pursuit of prestige, the allure of sex life, or the complexities of economic development, the result is the same: the soul is trapped in the cycle of birth and death. However, by redirecting one's energy toward the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord, one can break these shackles. A person fully involved in Kṛṣṇa consciousness lives within the material world but remains untouched by its laws, like a lotus leaf in water.
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 Involved. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.