Understanding How From Kṛṣṇa Comes Forgetfulness
The illusion of independence is the primary disease of the conditioned soul. In the material world, living entities constantly strive to acquire knowledge, achieve success, and act autonomously, oblivious to the divine direction guiding their every move. Śrīla Prabhupāda systematically shatters this illusion by explaining the profound truth found in the Bhagavad-gītā 15.15, where Lord Kṛṣṇa declares that He is seated in everyone's heart as the Paramātmā (Supersoul). From this localized position, the Lord acts as the supreme witness and director, perfectly facilitating the desires of the soul by granting remembrance, knowledge, and even forgetfulness (apohanam). By understanding this mechanism, a sincere practitioner realizes that true intelligence is not a product of the material brain, but a gift from the Supreme Lord, given in exact proportion to one's surrender.
Teachings Overview
This article explores the mechanics and philosophical reasons behind why forgetfulness, remembrance, and knowledge all emanate from the Supreme Lord. It highlights the role of the Supersoul in directing the wanderings of the living entity based on their desires.
Key Teachings
- Lord Kṛṣṇa is intimately situated within the core of every living entity's heart as the Paramātmā.
- Actual intelligence, remembrance, and true knowledge are not generated independently, but are dictated by the Lord.
- To facilitate the soul's desire for material enjoyment, the Lord mercifully grants forgetfulness (apohanam).
- Even basic material actions and worldly conflicts are carried out under the supreme direction of the Supersoul.
The Supersoul in Everyone's Heart
The foundational understanding of spiritual life is recognizing that one is never truly alone. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa is intimately present within the core of every living entity's heart as the Paramātmā, acting as the ultimate source of all consciousness and direction.
The Localized Presence of God
"The Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated as the Supersoul within the cores of the hearts of all living entities. As the Lord says in Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.15): "I (Krsna) am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes Kṛṣṇa's position as the Supersoul.
"Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.15): "I (Krsna) am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness." The Lord is present in everyone's heart, and He gives the living entity intelligence."
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the source of a living entity's intelligence.
"According to the Bhagavad-gita (BG 15.15): I (Krsna) am seated in everyone’s heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness. By all the Vedas, I am to be known. Indeed I am the compiler of the Vedanta, and I am the knower of the Vedas."
Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the Lord's comprehensive declaration of His presence.
The Source of Knowledge and Remembrance
Progress in any field of endeavor requires intelligence, which is not mechanically generated by the material body. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that genuine knowledge, the ability to remember past actions, and even the intellect of great scientists all emanate directly from the Supreme Lord's dictation.
Intelligence as a Divine Gift
"The first consideration is the intelligence of the scientist; one must be elevated by the dictation of the Supreme Lord (Krsna), who says in Bhagavad-gita (15.15), mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca: "From Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that even scientific intelligence is dictated by God.
"As stated in Bhagavad-gita, mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca: (BG 15.15) remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness come from You (Krsna). Nothing can be done independently, yet You act independently of the service rendered by Your servants."
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the complete dependence of the living entity.
"Everyone's heart, Krsna is there, or the Paramatma is there. And mattah smrtir jsanam apohanam ca: and all the speculation or real understanding or forgetfulness or real knowledge, they are coming, being initiated from Him."
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that all forms of understanding are initiated by Kṛṣṇa.
The Purpose of Forgetfulness (Apohanam)
The material world is specifically designed for souls who wish to enjoy independently of God. To facilitate this desire without causing psychological torment, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Lord mercifully provides apohanam, allowing the conditioned soul—especially in lower species—to completely forget their spiritual identity and fully absorb themselves in material life.
The Mercy of Material Forgetfulness
"In Bhagavad-gita 15.15 Sri Krsna says: "I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness." In the animal form the living entity is completely forgetful of his relationship with God. This is called apohanam, or forgetfulness."
Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the total forgetfulness experienced in animal life.
"In Bhagavad-gita 15.15 Krsna says: "I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness." The living entities are completely absorbed in the three states of wakefulness, dreaming and deep sleep through their intelligence."
Śrīla Prabhupāda connects the Lord's dictation to the soul's states of consciousness.
"This apasmrtih (forgetfulness of one's own identity) can be controlled by the Supreme Lord, for the Lord says, mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca: (BG 15.15) "From Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness.""
Śrīla Prabhupāda affirms the Supreme Lord's total control over memory.
"Bhagavad-gita 15.15: "I am seated in everyone's heart, and from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness." When two parties fight, the fighting actually goes on under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is Paramatma, the Supersoul."
Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates how even worldly conflicts are directed by the Supersoul.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Lord Kṛṣṇa facilitate the intelligence of a living entity?
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Lord is seated in everyone's heart as the Paramātmā, and from this localized position, He directly provides the living entity with their requisite intelligence.
Can a scientist or philosopher claim independent intelligence?
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that even the highest scientific intelligence is not independent, but is specifically dictated and elevated by the Supreme Lord.
Why does a living entity forget its relationship with God?
Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that to allow the soul to fully engage in material life, particularly in lower forms like animals, the Lord grants apohanam, or complete forgetfulness of their spiritual nature.
Is it possible to perform any action independently of the Supreme Lord?
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that absolutely nothing can be done independently, as every action, thought, and memory relies entirely on the Lord's sanction.
Conclusion
The realization that from Kṛṣṇa comes both knowledge and forgetfulness humbles the conditioned soul and dismantles the false pride of material independence. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Lord, as the Supersoul, is the ultimate well-wishing friend, perfectly reciprocating with the desires of the living entity. If a soul desires to forget God and enjoy the material world, the Lord grants the necessary ignorance. Conversely, if one sincerely desires to return back to Godhead, Kṛṣṇa supplies the divine intelligence and remembrance required to achieve the highest perfection of life.
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 From Krsna Comes Forgetfulness. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.