Material World Is A Shadow Reflection of the Spiritual World
A fundamental teaching of Vedic philosophy is that the world we perceive with our senses is not the ultimate reality. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the material world is a "perverted reflection" or a shadow of the eternal spiritual world. Just as a shadow indicates the presence of a real object, the varieties of the material world indicate the existence of a superior, spiritual reality where life is eternal, full of knowledge, and blissful. Understanding this distinction is crucial for a soul attempting to break free from the cycle of birth and death.
Analogy of the Reflection
To help us understand the nature of the material world, Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the analogy of a reflection. If we see the sun reflected in water or a mirror, it appears to be the sun, yet it is not the actual sun. Similarly, the material world appears factual, but it is temporary and illusory. It is an imitation, much like a doll is an imitation of a real girl.
- This material world is imitation beauty of the spiritual world, as much as the doll-girl is imitation of the real girl.
- A reflection of the sun in a mirror or on water appears to be the sun but is not. Similarly, the material world is but a reflection of the spiritual world. Although it appears to be factual, it is not.
- It is stated in Bhagavad-gita that this material world is just like a tree whose roots are up and branches down. This means that the material world is the shadow of the spiritual world.
Blissful Variegatedness
A common philosophical error, particularly among Māyāvādīs (impersonalists), is to assume that because material variety causes suffering, spiritual perfection must be void or without variety. Śrīla Prabhupāda corrects this by explaining that the spiritual world possesses "blissful variegatedness." The negation of material qualities does not mean the negation of spiritual qualities.
- Considering the many varieties and activities in material nature, why should the Mayavadi philosophers deny the spiritual varieties of the spiritual world?
- The most unfortunate persons are the impersonalists, who cannot understand the transcendental variegatedness of the spiritual world. They are afraid to talk about the beauty of the Vaikuntha planets because they think that variegatedness must be material.
- This sandhini-sakti of the internal potency maintains and manifests all the variegatedness of the spiritual world.
Beyond Material Experience
Because our senses are conditioned by matter, we cannot estimate the extent or nature of the spiritual world through direct perception or mental speculation. The sounds, relationships, and scale of the spiritual world are qualitatively different. Therefore, one must approach a spiritual master to understand it.
- In the material world everything is but a reflection of the spiritual world, and that reflection is perverted. We cannot understand the affairs of the spiritual world on the basis of our experience in the material world.
- As confirmed in the Vedic literatures, tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet: one has to search out a guru to understand the affairs of the spiritual world.
Transforming the Atmosphere
While the material world is characterized by forgetfulness (avidyā), the spiritual world is characterized by knowledge (vidyā). However, a pure devotee can import the atmosphere of the spiritual world into this realm. By engaging in devotional service, the environment becomes surcharged with the existence of Kṛṣṇa, and the illusion recedes.
- For the devotee this world becomes transformed, surcharged with the existence of Krsna in everything. The illusory potency recedes into oblivion, and this world takes on the characteristics of the spiritual world, Vaikuntha.
- Devotional service of the Lord is not an activity of this material world; it is part of the spiritual world where eternity, bliss and knowledge predominate.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the material world is a place of duality, a shadow where happiness is fleeting. The spiritual world is the substance, the eternal home of the living entity. By rectifying our consciousness and engaging in the service of the Lord, we can transcend the shadow and enter the reality of the spiritual kingdom.
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 Of The Spiritual World. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.