Karma and Accepting Different Types of Bodies
The process of transmigration, where the eternal soul accepts various physical vessels, is a fundamental teaching in the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this continuous change of body is not accidental but is strictly determined by the living entity's karma and their specific psychological disposition at the time of death.
Influence of Material Modes and Desires
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that our present body is the result of our past desires and our association with the three modes of material nature. By associating with goodness, passion, or ignorance, the living entity develops a specific mentality, and nature awards a suitable body to facilitate those material propensities.
- According to our inclination we are contacting a certain type of the modes of material nature and we are getting different types of body. Karanam guna sango 'sya sad-asad janma yonisu (BG 13.22).
- Because the soul within the body associates with the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion and ignorance), he receives different types of bodies.
- Desire means you have to accept different types of body. It is . . . you cannot make any permanent settlement. That is not possible. And that is also your fault.
- Due to our association with the modes of material nature, we get different types of bodies, good and bad.
Supervision of the Supersoul
Although the living entity desires to act in a certain way, the fulfillment of those desires through a specific body is sanctioned by the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Supersoul (Paramātmā) observes the activities of the individual soul and directs material nature to award a body that corresponds to the soul's karma.
- Although the individual living entity (jiva) and the Lord are both situated within the material energy, the Lord is directing the movements of the jiva soul by offering him different types of bodies through the material energy.
- The Supersoul is overlooking the activities of the jiva soul and according to his karma, He is giving a different type of body. Again he is working. Again he is creating another situation. This vast knowledge is unknown to the modern educational department.
- God is not responsible for the living entity's accepting different types of bodies. One has to accept a body according to the laws of nature and one's own karma.
Transmigration Through Species
Śrīla Prabhupāda challenges the modern Darwinian theory of evolution, clarifying that the forms of life are already existing and created by the Lord. The soul travels through these 8,400,000 species—from aquatics to plants, animals, and finally humans—based on the gradual development of consciousness and karma.
- We do not accept Darwin's rascal theory of evolution from lower-grade life, in the creation everything is there. All the 8,400,000 species. According to the past karma, everyone comes out again, gets a different type of body and begins his work.
- According to the circumstances, we get different types of body. So from the aquatics, next promotion is trees, plants, then insects, then birds, then beasts.
- So long you have to remain within this material world with material desires, then you have to change your body according to your desires, and there are 8,400,000 forms of bodies you have to accept. There is no guarantee.
Inevitability of Suffering
The acceptance of a material body is identified by Śrīla Prabhupāda as the root cause of all suffering. Whether one possesses a body in the higher planetary systems or in the lower animal species, the inherent miseries of birth, death, old age, and disease are unavoidable as long as one remains entangled in the cycle of karma.
- How your problem is solved? The real problem is that I am forced to accept different types of body. Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi (BG 13.9). And as soon as I accept body, I have to be under the tribulation of material nature.
- So long we have got this body, we must suffer. This is the truth. Asann api klesada asa dehah (SB 5.5.4). We are getting different types of bodies, tatha dehantara-praptih (BG 2.13). Each body is for a short period. It will not last forever.
- As long as one is entangled in karma-bandhana, one must accept different types of bodies that spoil the human form of facility.
- All living entities within this material world are sensually inclined. Consequently they become entangled in different types of bodies and suffer the pangs of material existence.
Conclusion
The cycle of accepting different types of bodies is a precarious condition for the spirit soul, driven by material desire and enforced by the laws of karma. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that the only solution to this perpetual problem of birth and death is to purify one's existence through Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By understanding the futility of material engagement and reviving our original spiritual consciousness, we can stop the repetition of changing bodies and return to our eternal position in the spiritual world.
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 Different Types of Bodies. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.