The Topmost Lifestyle

In this material world everyone is trying to enjoy as much as possible. But in spite of all their endeavors because they are trying to please the material body rather than the true self within they are still not very satisfied. We suggest that they should instead adopt the topmost lifestyle of Krishna consciousness, which focuses primarily on satisfying the self within and gives only secondary importance to the temporary material body. If they seriously do so, they will gradually learn the art of enjoying life like anything at every moment. Once they get a real taste of Krishna consciousness they will not want to revert to material sense gratification for any reason because they will be solidly situated on the transcendental platform.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Teaching the Topmost Lifestyle Riga, Latvia--October 2007

Sankarshan Das Teaching the Topmost Lifestyle Riga, Latvia

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Mahamaya in the Spiritual World?

Dear Srila Gurudeva,

Please accept my obeisance, and all glories to Srila Prabhupada and to you.

I have a question regarding the fall of the living being, the jiva. In the Srimad Bhagavatam, 1st Canto, Chapter 1, Verse 1 it is stated:

"I therefore meditate upon Him, Lord Sri Krishna, who is eternally existent in the transcendental abode, which is forever free from the illusory representations of the material world".

I understand yogamaya, the spiritual energy, is conducting the spiritual world and she expands in the form of mahamaya, the material energy,to conduct the material world. In the case of the jiva falling from the spiritual world, would it not be the influence of mahamaya, and how is she existing in the eternal abode of Sri Krishna?

Your servant,

Jayananda das

Answer: No. She is Only in the Material World.

It is a fact that mahamaya, the material energy, does not act in the spiritual world. So this may cause one to wonder that since mahamaya is not present in the spiritual world, what could influence the jiva, the living entity, to leave the spiritual world and come to the material world?

What happens is that since the living entity is part of Krishna, who is supremely independent, he also possesses a minute degree of independence. Since he possesses independence he must necessarily possess the power to misuse it. If he chooses to misuse it, he instantaneously finds himself in the clutches of mahamaya, the material energy. He does not require the power of the material energy to misuse his independence because his independence alone is sufficient empowerment. But as soon as he does so, he is immediately bound hands and foot by the material energy until that time when he is fortunate to be released by the mercy of Lord Sri Krishna's pure devotee.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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