The Eternal Soul - Constitutional Position of the Soul
The foundation of spiritual knowledge is the understanding of the distinction between the body and the soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the constitutional position of the soul is eternal, cognizant, and blissful, completely separate from the temporary material covering. Suffering arises only when the living entity identifies with the mind and body, forgetting its qualitative oneness with the Supreme Lord.
The Nature of the Self
The soul is not a product of material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the soul is qualitatively the same as God—spiritual and pure. It does not take birth, nor does it die. In his instructions to Sanātana Gosvāmī, Lord Caitanya confirmed that the soul is neither the body, nor the mind, nor the intelligence, but a pure living entity whose constitutional nature is happiness.
- "Your constitutional position is that you are pure living soul," the Lord told Sanatana. "This material body cannot be identified with your real self; nor is your mind your real identity, nor your intelligence, nor false ego."
- Krsna is instructing about the constitutional position of the soul: na hanyate hanyamane sarire, na jayate na mriyate kadacit. Kadacit, at any time, the soul does not take birth, does not die.
- All feelings of distress and happiness are due to the body. Under certain conditions the body and mind feel happiness and distress. Factually we are hankering after happiness, for the soul's constitutional position is that of happiness.
The Bodily Concept of Life
The root cause of material existence is forgetfulness of the soul's constitutional position. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this state as "material disease," where the living entity artificially tries to enjoy the material world instead of serving. Covered by the mind and false ego, the soul falls into the bodily concept of life (deha-ātma-buddhi), subjecting itself to the rules and regulations of material nature and the cycle of birth and death.
- Conditioned soul means we wanted to enjoy this material world, not to serve anyone. Although our constitutional position is to serve, but artificially we want to give up service and we want to enjoy. That is material disease.
- Unfortunately, the soul forgets his constitutional position and thinks he is only the body (deha-atma-buddhi). Thus the soul is subjected to the rules and regulations of material nature.
- One who does not understand the constitutional position of the body and the soul (atma) becomes too attached to the bodily concept of life.
Qualitative Oneness, Quantitative Difference
While the soul is spiritual like God, it is not equal to God in magnitude. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the individual soul and the Supersoul are qualitatively non-different but quantitatively distinct. The individual soul is minute and prone to illusion, whereas the Supreme Soul is infinite. Constitutionally, the small soul is the subordinate servitor of the great Soul, and realizing this relationship is the key to solving the problems of life.
- My dear friend, I, the Supersoul, and you, the individual soul, are not different in quality, for we are both spiritual. In fact, My dear friend, you are qualitatively not different from Me in your constitutional position.
- When the smaller soul thinks himself quantitatively as big as the larger soul, he is under the spell of maya, for that is not his constitutional position. No one can become the greater soul simply by mental speculation.
- The jiva soul says, I take shelter of the Supreme Lord. Therefore, constitutionally, the jiva soul is the subordinate servitor of the Supreme Soul, the Personality of Godhead.
Liberation Through Knowledge
Liberation (mukti) is achieved when one gives up the bodily conception and becomes situated in their original glory. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of King Rahūgaṇa, who, after being instructed by the great devotee Jaḍa Bharata, understood the constitution of the soul and gave up his false identification. Simply by knowing the truth of the soul and its relationship with Kṛṣṇa, one attains the eternal spiritual world.
- After receiving lessons from the great devotee Jada Bharata, King Rahugana of the state of Sauvira became completely aware of the constitutional position of the soul. He thus gave up the bodily conception completely.
- Directly understanding the constitutional position of the soul is the solution of the whole problem.
- He (a liberated soul) goes to the eternal spiritual world and attains his constitutional position full of bliss, knowledge and eternality. All this can be obtained simply by knowing in truth the transcendental nature of Krsna's birth and activities.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that the aim of human society, and specifically brahminical culture, is to elevate everyone to the understanding of the soul's constitution. By engaging the mind in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and serving the spiritual master, one conquers the mind, realizes the self as distinct from the body, and attains the highest perfection of eternal life.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Constitutional Position of the Soul. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.