Jīvera Svarūpa - Constitutional Position of the Living Entity
The fundamental education of the Vedic scriptures addresses the constitutional position of the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that unless one understands who they are—a spirit soul distinct from the body and eternally related to the Supreme—they cannot achieve happiness. The verdict of all scriptures is that the living entity is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, and forgetting this position is the root cause of all suffering.
The Eternal Servant (Jīvera 'Svarūpa' Haya)
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites the teaching of Lord Caitanya to Sanātana Gosvāmī: jīvera 'svarūpa' haya—kṛṣṇera 'nitya-dāsa'. This means the living entity is constitutionally and eternally a servant of Kṛṣṇa. Just as sweetness cannot be separated from sugar, servitorship cannot be separated from the soul. This position is not forced but is the healthy, blissful state of the living being.
- As described by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, jivera 'svarupa' haya-krsnera 'nitya-dasa': the constitutional position of the living entity is that he is the eternal servant of Krsna.
- Everyone is servant. Every living entity is a servant. As enunciated by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-dasa - The real, constitutional position of the living entity is eternal servant of Krsna.
- In His teachings to Sanatana Gosvami, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has declared every living entity to be an eternal servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the constitutional position of all living entities.
Subordination to the Supreme
Unlike the Mayavadi philosophers who claim the soul is identical to God, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the living entity is a fragmental part and parcel, eternally subordinate to the Supreme. The living entity is the predominated enjoyer, while Kṛṣṇa is the predominator. Acknowledging this subordination and acting under the order of the Supreme is the perfection of life, whereas trying to imitate God leads to bewilderment.
- The actual fact is that every living being is an individual part and parcel of the Supreme Being, and his constitutional position is subordinate cooperative service.
- The real constitutional position of the living entity is that of subordination to the Supreme Lord, who is pure knowledge.
- Beginning from Brahmaji, the leader of this universe, down to the insignificant ant, all are abiding by the order of the Supreme Lord. Thus the constitutional position of the living being is subordination under the control of the Lord.
The Predominated Enjoyer
A crucial aspect of understanding the constitutional position is realizing the distinction between the "enjoyer" and the "enjoyed." Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa is the only enjoyer (bhoktā), and the living entities are meant to be enjoyed by Him. The conditioned soul's suffering stems from the aspiration to be the enjoyer, which is contrary to their nature. When the living entity aligns their desire with Kṛṣṇa's enjoyment, they experience the highest spiritual pleasure.
- The Lord is the only enjoyer, and all others are enjoyed. The living beings are predominated enjoyers. But the eternally conditioned souls, forgetful of this constitutional position, have strong aspirations to enjoy.
- Because the living entity is infinitesimal, the allurement of material enjoyment attracts him, and he tries to enjoy matter, forgetting his constitutional position.
- The living entity cannot be happy independant of the cooperation of the Supreme Lord because the eternal constitutional position of the living entity is to become subordinate to the desires of the Lord.
Forced vs. Voluntary Service
Service is inevitable. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the living entity must serve; the only choice is "whom" to serve. If one refuses to serve Kṛṣṇa, one is immediately captured by māyā and forced to serve the senses, lust, and anger. Liberation means transferring one's service from the illusory energy back to the Supreme Lord, thereby regaining one's original constitutional glory.
- One has to understand, however, that he is in all circumstances forced to serve. Either he serves the illusion or the reality. The constitutional position of the living entity is to be a servant, not a master.
- Actually this is the position of all living entities. Everyone is servant. But in the material sense, he is servant of maya, servant of senses.
- The living entity's constitutional position is to be servitor; he either has to serve the illusory maya or the Supreme Lord.
Freedom from Reactions
In the material world, every action produces a reaction, leading to bondage. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that acting in one's constitutional position burns these reactions to ashes. Knowledge of one's identity as a servant of Kṛṣṇa is the fire that destroys the results of past karma. When one acts solely for Kṛṣṇa's pleasure, they are no longer entangled by the laws of karma, even while performing duties in this world.
- There are many stages of reaction: reaction in the making, reaction fructifying, reaction already achieved, and reaction a priori. But knowledge of the constitutional position of the living entity burns everything to ashes.
- Upon gaining such realization (that "I am God's eternal servant"), one attains liberation and becomes prasannatma, or jolly, for this is the constitutional position of the living entity.
- The whole process of spiritual culture is aimed at changing the heart of the living being in the matter of his eternal relation with the Supreme Lord as subordinate servant, which is his eternal constitutional position.
Restoration of Consciousness
The purpose of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to revive this dormant understanding. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that currently, the living entity is in a diseased condition, having forgotten his constitutional nature. By the association of pure devotees and the chanting of the mahā-mantra, the covering of nescience is removed, and the soul is reinstated in its normal, blissful condition (brahma-bhūta).
- A living being in his normal constitutional position is fully satisfied in spiritual bliss. This state of existence is called brahma-bhuta or atmananda, or the state of self-satisfaction.
- By the association of pure devotees, he (the living being) is awakened, and immediately the spirit soul is situated in his own glory by understanding his constitutional position as the eternal servant of the Lord.
- When the conditioned soul attains his real spiritual energy and fully surrenders unto the Lord’s lotus feet, he tries to engage in the Lord’s service. This is the real constitutional position of the living entity.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that knowledge of the constitutional position of the living entity burns all material reactions to ashes. Whether one is in a material body or a spiritual body, the soul remains a servant. The perfection of human life is to recognize this truth, give up the struggle for artificial mastership, and happily engage in the service of the Lord.
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