Struggle in Conditioned World
The "conditioned world" refers to the material atmosphere where eternal souls are entrapped by the laws of nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites Bhagavad-gītā 15.7 to describe the reality of this existence. While the living entities are constitutionally eternal parts of the Supreme Lord, their presence in this world is marked by a severe and continuous struggle. This article explores the nature of this struggle, the agency of the mind and senses, and the ultimate identity of the struggling soul.
Eternal Parts of Kṛṣṇa
The fundamental truth regarding the living entity is that they do not belong to the material world. They are mamaivāṁśo, the eternal fragmental parts of Kṛṣṇa. Despite being situated in a temporary, conditioned atmosphere, their intrinsic nature remains spiritual and eternal.
- According to Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.7): The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.
- Lord Krsna confirms this statement (of CC Madhya 19.140) in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.7): mamaivamso jiva-loke jiva-bhutah sanatanah. “The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal fragmental parts”.
Hard Struggle
The defining feature of life in the conditioned world is the struggle for existence. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this struggle is fought with the "six senses," with the mind acting as the center. Driven by the dictation of the unbridled mind, the soul works hard to achieve happiness but finds only suffering.
- The Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.7): The living entities in this conditioned world are My eternal, fragmental parts. Because of conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind.
- As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.7): "The living entities in this conditioned world are My (Krsna's) eternal, fragmental parts. Due to conditioned life, they are struggling very hard with the six senses, which include the mind."
Compassion for Conditioned
A realized soul understands the plight of those bound in this world. Seeing the conditioned souls suffering the threefold miseries and transmigrating from one body to another, the devotee becomes compassionate and preaches the truth to liberate them from this confinement.
- One who actually assimilated the essence of the Vedas can preach the truth. He is compassionate to conditioned souls who are suffering the threefold miseries of this conditional world due to their not being Krsna conscious.
- They actually want to be free from the confinement of this world of conditional happiness, but not knowing the process of liberation, they are bound to transmigrate from one species of life to another and from one planet to another.
Conclusion
The conditioned world is a place of mismatch: eternal souls struggling in a temporary environment. By understanding their true identity as parts of Kṛṣṇa, living entities can cease their hard struggle with the material senses and return to their original, blissful position.
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 Conditioned World. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.