The Inevitable Influence of Time
The concept of eternal time is described by Śrīla Prabhupāda as the invincible and impersonal representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Within the material world, this force is the ultimate authority, dictating the duration of life and the inevitable decay of all physical forms. By recognizing that the influence of time is absolute and irreversible for the conditioned soul, one is encouraged to seek the transcendental platform of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This realization is the beginning of genuine spiritual intelligence, as it shifts the focus from temporary material achievements to the eternal reality of the soul's relationship with the Lord.
The Supreme Control of the Time Factor
The entire cosmic manifestation operates under the direct supervision of the Supreme Lord through His feature as eternal time. Every celestial body, from the sun to the smallest atom, follows a precise orbital schedule governed by this energy. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that nothing in the material world happens independently, as the time factor ensures that everything moves according to the Lord's divine direction.
- All the luminaries, the planets and stars, revolve by the influence of the supreme time factor. The time factor is another feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Everyone is under the influence of the time factor.
- Devaki prayed - My Lord, the whole cosmic manifestation is under the influence of time, beginning from the moment up to the duration of the year. All act under Your direction.
- Beginning from the sun down to the atom, all bodies are under the influence of the kala-cakra, or the orbit of eternal time, and each of them has a scheduled orbital time of one samvatsara.
- The influence of time and space is exerted upon the dependent living entities, who are all parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord.
The Destructive Nature of Material Time
In the material world, the influence of time is synonymous with the progression toward death and the deterioration of all mundane opulences. The physical body is born at a specific moment and immediately begins to undergo changes that lead to its eventual destruction. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that even the most influential individuals must eventually surrender their property and honor to the cruel hands of time.
- The influence of time is exhibited by the symptoms of birth, death, old age and disease, and these four principles of material conditions are present everywhere in any part of the material cosmos up to the planet Brahmaloka.
- The body is born at a certain time, and immediately the influence of time acts upon it. From the date of the birth of the body, the influence of death is also acting; the advancement of age entails the influence of time on the body.
- However ignorant one may be regarding the path of good fortune and the path down to the darkest region of ignorance, everyone is aware of the influence of eternal time, which devours all the effects of our material activities.
- During the political upsurge in India and its division into Pakistan and Hindustan, so many rich and influential Indians had to surrender life, property and honor due to the influence of time.
The Invincibility of the Supreme Energy
No living being within the universe possesses the power to overcome or halt the effects of time, as it represents the inexplicable wish of the Lord. Regardless of one's pious acts, weapons, or expert management, the reverses caused by time remain irreversible and absolute. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that for a learned person, there is no reason to lament these changes, as they are simply the movements of the Lord's energy.
- The influence of time is very strong. Time is so powerful because it is a representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; time is therefore stronger than the strongest. The influence of time can effect changes in subtle things without difficulty.
- There are hundreds and thousands of examples all over the world, all over the universe, which are all effects of the influence of time. The conclusion is that there is no powerful living being within the universe who can overcome the influence of time.
- O how wonderful is the influence of inevitable time. It is irreversible - otherwise, how can there be reverses in the presence of King Yudhisthira, the son of the demigod controlling religion and Bhima, the great fighter with a club?
- The influence of kala indicates the inexplicable wish of the Lord Himself. There is nothing to be lamented when a matter is beyond the control of any human being.
Transcendental Immunity to Time
Although time dominates the material world, it has no influence within the spiritual sky or over the process of devotional service. The Vaikuṇṭha planets are described as eternal and free from the cycles of creation and annihilation that define material existence. By engaging in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as taught by Śrīla Prabhupāda, spiritual assets remain unchanged and completely beyond the reach of the temporal factor.
- Devotional service which is rendered by the devotee in this lifetime can never be destroyed by time. Such spiritual assets remain unchanged, being beyond the influence of time.
- In the spiritual sky of the brahma-jyotir there is no change of various kalpas or millenniums, and there are no creative activities in the Vaikuntha worlds. The influence of time is conspicuous by its absence.
- For the devotees engaged in Krsna consciousness, in the Vaikuntha atmosphere, there is no influence of time.
- The changing effects of eternal time are conspicuously absent in the immortal kingdom of God, which should therefore be understood to have no influence of time and therefore no fear whatsoever.
Conclusion
The pervasive influence of time serves as a constant reminder of the temporary nature of the material world and the supreme authority of the Lord. While time acts as a cruel destroyer for those identified with the body, it is powerless against the eternal soul and its relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Through the instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we learn that the only way to gain release from the clutches of time is to elevate our consciousness to the spiritual platform, where existence is nitya, or eternal.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Influence of Time. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.