Spiritual Suicide - Desiring to Merge
In the vast landscape of Vedic philosophy, the concept of liberation (mukti) is often misunderstood. While many schools of thought, particularly the Māyāvāda and impersonalistic paths, hold the desire to merge into the existence of the Absolute as the highest goal, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents a radically different perspective. Drawing from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the teachings of Lord Caitanya, he classifies the desire to merge into the Supreme as "spiritual suicide." This article explores why pure devotees consider the loss of individuality not a victory, but a catastrophe that prevents the soul from experiencing the higher taste of eternal service.
Nature of Sāyujya-Mukti
The impersonalists, often frustrated by the sufferings of the material world, seek relief by merging into the brahma-jyotir, the spiritual effulgence of the Lord. They often use the analogy of a water drop merging into the ocean to describe this state. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this form of liberation denies the soul's eternal individuality.
- The ambitious Mayavadi philosophers desire to merge into the existence of the Lord, and this may be accepted as sayujya-mukti. However, this form of mukti means denying one’s individual existence. In other words, it is a kind of spiritual suicide.
- This desire, that I shall merge into the existence of God, just like the example is given that, "I am drop of water. Now I shall merge into the big ocean. Therefore I shall become ocean." This example is generally given by the Mayavadi philosophers.
Disguised Form of Materialism
Surprisingly, the desire to merge is labeled by the Vaiṣṇava as a material desire. It is considered a reaction to material frustration—having failed to enjoy the world as a separate master, the conditioned soul now wants to become the Supreme Master by becoming one with God. Thus, the motive remains personal gratification rather than service.
- The desire of the impersonalist to merge into the existence of Brahman is also material because such an impersonalist wants to gratify his senses by merging into the existence of Krsna instead of serving His lotus feet.
- After being baffled in his material enjoyment, the impersonalist may desire to merge into the existence of the Lord, but a pure devotee of the Lord has no such desire. Therefore a pure devotee is really bhagavad-dharmi.
- The desire to merge into the impersonal Brahman is the subtlest type of atheism. As soon as such atheism, disguised in the dress of liberation, is encouraged, one becomes completely unable to traverse the path of devotional service to the SP of Godhead.
Rejection by Pure Devotees
A pure devotee never accepts the proposal of merging, even if offered by the Lord. The devotee understands that love requires duality—the lover and the beloved. By maintaining their individuality, devotees can exchange reciprocal feelings with Kṛṣṇa, a pleasure that far exceeds the stagnant peace of the Brahman effulgence.
- The mental speculators desire to merge into the existence of the Lord, or to become one with the Lord, whereas the devotees of the Lord desire to keep separate identities and constantly engage in the service of the Lord.
- That (that Prthu does not desire to merge with God's existence) is made clear in this verse (SB 4.20.24): "My dear Lord, I do not want such a benediction." Maharaja Prthu wanted to have a million ears to hear the glories of the lotus feet of the Lord.
- They (those who desire to merge into the existence of God) have no information about serving the lotus feet of the Lord. Consequently, they are doomed to stand like trees for many thousands of years. Although trees are living entities, they are nonmoving.
Conclusion
The desire to merge into the Supreme is ultimately an impediment to the soul's true potential. While it offers a cessation of material pain, it simultaneously kills the opportunity for spiritual pleasure. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that true mukti is not the end of individual existence but the beginning of one's normal condition as an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. By rejecting the "spiritual suicide" of merging, the devotee enters the dynamic and ever-expanding ocean of transcendental bliss found only in the service of the Personality of Godhead.
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 Desiring to Merge. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.