Aligning Individual Free Will with the Supreme Will of Kṛṣṇa
The concept of free will is central to the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, defining the relationship between the individual soul and the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that as parts and parcels of Kṛṣṇa, living entities naturally possess a minute degree of free will. However, the improper use of this freedom—the desire to act independently or to dominate—is the very cause of our entanglement in the material world. While the Lord is vibhu, or omniscient and fully independent, the soul is anu, or atomic, and its desires can only be fulfilled by the Lord’s grace. To become free from the clutches of māyā, one must choose to purify their will rather than negate it. By surrendering to the instructions of the Lord and the spiritual master, the living entity aligns its minute will with the Supreme will, reaching a state of transcendental freedom. This article explores the distinction between atomic and supreme will, the consequences of misusing freedom, the process of purification through surrender, and the absolute freedom enjoyed by the Lord and His pure devotees.
The Distinction Between Atomic and Supreme Free Will
The living entity is a spiritual being, and as such, it possesses the quality of free will because Kṛṣṇa, the source, possesses it. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Lord is the fully independent Personality of Godhead who causes the whole world to act as He likes. In contrast, the living entity’s freedom is minute. While the soul has the capacity to desire, it does not have the power to fulfill those desires independently; only the omnipotent Lord can do so. This relationship is a practical application of the philosophy of being simultaneously one with and different from God—sharing His qualities but remaining subordinate in quantity.
- My dear Lord, You are the fully independent Personality of Godhead. You act by Your own free will. You cause the whole world to dance and act as You like.
- The Lord is vibhu, or omniscient, but the living entity is anu, or atomic. Because he is a living soul, he has the capacity to desire by his free will. Such desire is fulfilled only by the omnipotent Lord.
- That is simultaneously one and different philosophy - the living entities thus have free will because they are parts of Krsna and Krsna has free will, but the free will of Krsna is Supreme while the freedom of the parts and parcels is minute.
- For example, building materials do not automatically "react" and suddenly assume the shape of a residential house. The living spiritual being handles matter appropriately by his free will and thus constructs his house.
The Misuse of Free Will and Material Bondage
The varied conditions of life in the material world, whether one is happy or unhappy, are not ordained by the Lord but are the results of the individual’s use of free will. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that an "abuse" of free will leads to self-created engagements that entangle the soul in the modes of nature. The moment a servant desires to be the master, he falls into the influence of māyā. These material acts and their results are directed by nature’s laws, and the Supreme Lord remains aloof from them. Even the choice to remain in the material world and visit higher planets like Siddhaloka is a result of the living entity’s free will to seek material enjoyment.
- All acts performed by the living entity - except those with transcendental results - are self - created engagements arising from an abuse of the free will.
- Such differences (that some are happy and some are unhappy) in the material world are due to the proper or improper use of free will enjoyed by the individual living entity.
- The servant always remains subordinate to the master, and this relationship is eternal and undisturbed. As soon as the servant feels like becoming the master, he falls into maya. Thus it is by misuse of free will that one falls under the influence of maya.
- Man is endowed with free will, and as such if he does not want to free himself from the material world he may enjoy the life of brahma-pada (occupation of the post of Brahma) and visit Siddhaloka, the planets of materially perfect beings.
Purification of Free Will through Surrender
The solution to material suffering is not to destroy or stop free will, as some philosophical schools suggest, but to purify it. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the neophyte stage of Kṛṣṇa consciousness involves surrendering independent decisions and following the guidance of the spiritual master. This discipline is the training ground for real freedom. When the soul chooses to reciprocate with the Lord by its own free will, Kṛṣṇa attracts that soul and frees it from all material bondage. Our only duty is to surrender and seek His protection, as everything in the cosmic manifestation is ultimately dependent on the supreme free will of Kṛṣṇa.
- The Mayavadi philosopher says, the Buddha philosopher says, that "Stop this free will, and then you become happy." But our proposition is not to stop free will but purify free will.
- Neophyte means no independent decisions, no free will, that means surrender. But when he is trained up then automatically he gets his freedom.
- As soon as there is a reciprocal exchange by the living entity’s free will, at once the great spiritual being attracts the small living entity, thus freeing him from all material bondage.
- Since everything is dependent on the free will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, our only duty is to surrender unto Him and seek His protection.
Transcendental Free Will of the Lord and the Liberated
The Lord and His pure devotees operate on a level of free will that is entirely beyond material laws. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes how the Lord appears in the material world by His own free will, much like a governor inspecting a prison, without becoming subject to its rules. Similarly, great devotees like Nārada Muni wander the universe by their own free will to preach the glories of the Lord. Advanced souls like Mahārāja Pṛthu exercise their free will to leave the material body through yogic processes and enter the spiritual sky. This transcendental freedom is the ultimate aim of yoga and the natural state of the soul in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- The Maha-Visnu lies down in some part of the spiritual sky by His own free will.
- This (governor going to inspect a prison) may be called a pastime because he is going by his free will. It is not that he has become subject to the laws of the prison.
- Suta Gosvami said: Thus addressing Vyasadeva, Srila Narada Muni took leave of him, and vibrating on his vina instrument, he left to wander at his free will.
- He (Maharaja Prthu) took advantage of the sat-cakra penetration process and thus gave up the body according to his own free will and immediately entered the spiritual sky.
Conclusion
Free will is the divine spark of independence that allows the living entity to choose between the service of the Lord and the service of māyā. As Śrīla Prabhupāda has systematically outlined, our current material entanglement is not a result of fate or God's whim, but of our own choice to act independently of Kṛṣṇa. However, this same free will is the key to our liberation. By choosing to surrender our minute will to the supreme will of the Lord, we are released from the stringent laws of nature. This alignment is not a loss of individuality but the restoration of our true self. In the spiritual sky, the free will of the devotee is perfectly harmonized with the will of Kṛṣṇa, leading to a life of eternal bliss and transcendental activity. Ultimately, to be truly free is to realize our eternal position as Kṛṣṇa’s servant, where every act is performed by our own free will for His pleasure.
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 Free Will. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.