View source for Without God Independent Existence is Futile

Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently teaches that independent existence from the Supreme Lord is an illusion. The entire cosmic manifestation, the workings of material nature, and the ultimate liberation of the living entity are entirely dependent on the presence and sanction of Kṛṣṇa.

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=== The Supreme Controller ===
The Supreme Personality of Godhead sits in the heart of every living being as the Supersoul, directing all activities. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that without the explicit permission of the Lord, nothing can occur in the material or spiritual worlds.

* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna is the supreme controller also because the Paramatma feature of Lord Krsna destines all actions and reactions. Without His sanction not a blade of grass can move|Krsna is the supreme controller also because the Paramatma feature of Lord Krsna destines all actions and reactions. Without His sanction not a blade of grass can move.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Vedas say that the Supreme Lord has nothing to do personally, as is always the case with superiors, but everything is done by His direction. As it is said, not a blade of grass moves without His sanction|The Vedas say that the Supreme Lord has nothing to do personally, as is always the case with superiors, but everything is done by His direction. As it is said, not a blade of grass moves without His sanction.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The personality of religion knew perfectly well that nothing can take place without the sanction of the Supreme Lord, and still he was put into doubts by the deluding energy, and thus he refrained from mentioning the supreme cause|The personality of religion knew perfectly well that nothing can take place without the sanction of the Supreme Lord, and still he was put into doubts by the deluding energy, and thus he refrained from mentioning the supreme cause.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Unintelligent persons say that the Lord does nothing. Actually He has nothing to do, but nevertheless He has to do everything, because without His sanction no one can do anything|Unintelligent persons say that the Lord does nothing. Actually He has nothing to do, but nevertheless He has to do everything, because without His sanction no one can do anything.]]

=== The Illusion of Secular Society ===
Modern society constantly attempts to solve its problems and establish peace while completely ignoring the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that trying to enjoy the kingdom of God without God is a foolish endeavor that guarantees failure and endless suffering.

* [[Vaniquotes:All their activities are without God, without God consciousness. Therefore they have failed. Everyone will fail, because they do not know what is the aim of life. That is the mistake|All their activities are without God, without God consciousness. Therefore they have failed. Everyone will fail, because they do not know what is the aim of life. That is the mistake.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The so-called reading of Bhagavad-gita, lecture on Bhagavad-gita, without Krsna... God, kingdom of God without God. We want kingdom of God, peace and prosperity, but without God. There must not be God. That is our secular government|The so-called reading of Bhagavad-gita, lecture on Bhagavad-gita, without Krsna... God, kingdom of God without God. We want kingdom of God, peace and prosperity, but without God. There must not be God. That is our secular government.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Any religion without the conception of God, without knowledge of God, without knowing the surrendering process, that is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam as - cheating religion|Any religion without the conception of God, without knowledge of God, without knowing the surrendering process, that is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam as cheating religion.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Nor is religion without God religion, because the purpose of following religious principles is to know the Supreme Truth and man's relation with Him. BG 1972 purports|Nor is religion without God religion, because the purpose of following religious principles is to know the Supreme Truth and man's relation with Him.]]

=== The Dependence of Material Nature ===
Atheistic scientists often claim that the universe functions automatically through physical laws. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that dull matter cannot create or operate complex machineries without the direct touch and supervision of the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:Material nature cannot produce any variety of manifestations without the contact of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is very nicely explained in Bhagavad-gita|Material nature cannot produce any variety of manifestations without the contact of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is very nicely explained in Bhagavad-gita.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The material nature has no separate existence without the Lord. Therefore, setting aside the Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes is the logic of aja-gala-stana-nyaya, or trying to milk the nipples on the neck of a goat|The material nature has no separate existence without the Lord. Therefore, setting aside the Supreme Lord as the cause of all causes is the logic of aja-gala-stana-nyaya, or trying to milk the nipples on the neck of a goat.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Without His (the Supreme Lord's) presence within the material world, the cosmic body could not develop, just as without the presence of the spirit within the physical body, the body could not develop|Without the Supreme Lord's presence within the material world, the cosmic body could not develop, just as without the presence of the spirit within the physical body, the body could not develop.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Without the Supreme Personality of Godhead's energy, dull matter cannot create the cosmic manifestation. Its power does not arise from the material energy itself but is endowed by Sankarsana|Without the Supreme Personality of Godhead's energy, dull matter cannot create the cosmic manifestation. Its power does not arise from the material energy itself but is endowed by Sankarsana.]]

=== The Necessity of Divine Mercy ===
Overcoming the miseries of the material world is an impossible task through independent human endeavor. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that release from the cycle of birth and death is only achieved when a soul receives the causeless mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

* [[Vaniquotes:By dint of one's personal endeavor one may go nearer to the Lord, but without the Lord's mercy one cannot reach the ultimate point. Such understanding of the Lord is possible only by devotional service, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gita - BG 18.55|By dint of one's personal endeavor one may go nearer to the Lord, but without the Lord's mercy one cannot reach the ultimate point. Such understanding of the Lord is possible only by devotional service, as confirmed in Bhagavad-gita.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is said harim vina na mrtim taranti: no one can be saved from the repetition of birth and death without the help of the Supreme Lord|It is said harim vina na mrtim taranti: no one can be saved from the repetition of birth and death without the help of the Supreme Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Without the protection of Gaura-Nitai - Krsna and Balarama - one cannot get out of the dark well of ignorance in material existence|Without the protection of Gaura-Nitai, Krsna and Balarama, one cannot get out of the dark well of ignorance in material existence.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Without the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot get release from materialistic life|Without the Supreme Personality of Godhead one cannot get release from materialistic life.]]

=== Conclusion ===
To attempt any endeavor without acknowledging the Supreme Controller is a symptom of profound ignorance. Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that whether one is observing the vast cosmic manifestation, the functions of a secular society, or the journey of the individual soul, nothing exists or moves without the explicit sanction of the Supreme Lord. Material nature is utterly dependent on His glance, and all human attempts for peace without God consciousness are ultimately futile. By recognizing our eternal dependence and taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet, the living entity is released from the bondage of ''māyā'' and safely returns to the spiritual realm.

=== 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 [[Vaniquotes:Category:Without_God|Without God]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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