God Is in Every Living Being - The All-Pervasive Supersoul
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is completely all-pervasive, residing intimately within the heart of every living entity as the Supersoul, or Paramātmā. By understanding this profound truth, one develops true spiritual vision and universal compassion.
The Presence of the Supersoul
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that God is not only in the spiritual world but also situated within the core of everyone's heart. In this feature, He is fully conscious of the desires and activities of all living beings.
- We understand from the Brahma-samhita that the Supersoul is present within the universe, within the atom and within the heart of every living creature.
- Because He (the Lord) lives in the heart of every living being, He is conscious of the psychic movements of the particular jivas. We should not forget this.
- The Lord lives within the core of heart in every living being, therefore He is conscious of the psychic movements, activities, of the particular jiva. We should not forget.
- The Supersoul is always in every living being. Outwardly, also, every living being is situated in the energy of the Lord.
Compassion for All Entities
Because the Supreme Lord resides within every living being, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that a genuine devotee treats everyone with kindness. Respecting others is practically a direct way of honoring the Lord situated within them.
- A devotee should not ignore any living entity. The devotee must know that in every living entity, however insignificant he may be, even in an ant, God is present, and therefore every living entity should be kindly treated.
- In every living entity, however insignificant he may be, even in an ant, God is present, and therefore every living entity should be kindly treated and should not be subjected to any violence.
- Because Rantideva perceived the presence of the Supreme Godhead everywhere, and in every living entity, he received the guest with faith and respect and gave him a share of the food. The brahmana guest ate his share and then went away.
- It is said that great personalities almost always accept voluntary suffering because of the suffering of people in general. This is considered the highest method of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is present in everyone's heart.
The All-Pervasive Supreme
The Lord's all-pervasive nature means He sustains the living entities in every possible way. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Personality of Godhead even acts internally to maintain our bodily functions.
- The Supreme is present in every living entity.
- The syllable van indicates that every being lives in Him (God) and that He also lives in every being.
- Lord Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita that He helps the digestion in the form of vaisvanara. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is all-pervasive; therefore, His presence in the stomach as vaisvanara is not extraordinary.
- In the Satwata Tantras there is a mention of the third Purusha avatar who is the Supersoul of every living being. That third Purusha avatar is no other than this pastimeous form of Garvodashayee Vishnu.
Spiritual Vision and Realization
To see properly is to see the Supreme Lord everywhere. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that an advanced, learned person realizes the spiritual equality of all beings by perceiving the Lord's presence within them.
- A pandita, or learned person, perceives the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead in every living being.
- One should worship the Deity of the Lord until one appreciates the presence of the Lord in every living entity.
- One who sees the Supersoul in every living being and equal everywhere does not degrade himself by his mind. Thus he approaches the transcendental destination.
- Queen Kunti affirms that the Lord, although both within and without all living beings, is still invisible. The Lord is, so to speak, a puzzle for the common man.
Conclusion
To realize that God is in every living being is to achieve perfect transcendental vision. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that recognizing the Supersoul within the heart cures the disease of material envy and violence. By honoring the all-pervasive Supreme Lord present within everyone, a sincere soul rapidly advances on the path of pure devotional service.
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 God Is in Every Living Being. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.