Understanding What is the Actual Position of the Living Being
Because the conditioned soul identifies with temporary matter, the entire human society suffers in a precarious state of ignorance and chaos. By exposing this fundamental error, Śrīla Prabhupāda forcefully reminds us that without questioning our actual identity and ultimate purpose, all our mundane achievements amount to nothing more than a polished defeat. We must understand exactly who we are to act correctly.
The Ignorance of Material Identification
Despite immense advancements in technology and mundane education, modern society remains completely blind to the existence of the eternal soul. Denouncing this catastrophic ignorance, Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that without knowing our true spiritual constitution, we are merely acting under the dictates of the gross and subtle material bodies.
- The gross body is made of earth, water, air, fire, and the subtle body is made of mind, intelligence and egotism. So we are within this. So nobody knows; there is no educational system, what is our real constitutional position.
- We do not know what is the position of my real self. That we do not know. This is called ignorance. That instruction is given in the Bhagavad-gita in the beginning: na hanyate hanyamane sarire.
- Education means brahma-vidya: to understand what is that living force within this body that is working, what is his position, constitutional position, how it is working, wherefrom it has come, so many things. That is called brahma-jijnasa.
- We have to take information from the authoritative literature what is the position of this material world, the spiritual world, God and His relationship with us, our position. This is real knowledge.
The Awakening of Spiritual Inquiry
Spiritual life officially begins the moment a person becomes frustrated with material miseries and sincerely questions their own existence. Highlighting the perfect example of Sanātana Gosvāmī, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that we must humbly approach a spiritual master and ask why we are forced to suffer against our will.
- I do not want all these miserable condition of life, but I am forced to accept them. Therefore what is my position? Why I am forced to accept? - This should be the question.
- Sanatana Gosvami is putting that, "What is my position? I think that I am very learned man, I am born of very aristocratic family and so on, so on, but actually, I do not know what I am, what is my position." This is pariprasna, inquiry.
- So long he does not inquire that, "What I am? What is my necessity? Why I am suffering?" - unless one comes to this position of inquisitiveness, whatever he is doing, it is all defeat for him. Because he does not know what is his position.
- Why I am put into this miserable condition of life although I do not want it? So what I am? What is my position.
The Precarious State of Modern Society
When human beings squander their rare opportunity for self-realization, acting no better than sophisticated animals, the entire world plunges into chaos. Observing this degradation, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that bad leadership and a lack of spiritual division (varṇāśrama) create a highly dangerous and misdirected civilization.
- In the human form of life, where there is chance of getting the real light, if they spoil in this way like cats and dogs, the whole world, what is the position of the world? Very precarious condition.
- People are so degraded, and there is no education, and there are so-called leaders, they are themselves degraded, they are themselves blind. So what is the position of the present society? It is very precarious condition.
- Chaotic condition. That is what is the position now. What is he, what he has to do, one does not know. And there are so many unemployment. But if you organize the society into varnas, there will be no question of unemployment.
- They (modern civilization) are in gross misunderstanding of life. So in order to cleanse their heart to understand what is the position, where they are going, where they are actually, how things are going on, Caitanya Mahaprabhu says ceto-darpana-marjanam.
The Eternal Subordinate Reality
Once the heart is cleansed of illusions, the living entity realizes its factual, unchangeable identity as a tiny, dependent servant of the Supreme Lord. Destroying the rebellious atheistic mindset, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that accepting our subordinate position to Kṛṣṇa is the foundation of all true sanity and spiritual joy.
- Don't claim that there is no God. There is God, and He is great, and you are small. Then what is your position? You have to serve Krsna. This is simple truth. So that rebellious attitude is called maya.
- God is great, we are all subordinate, and we are maintained. Eko yo bahunam vidadhati kaman. This is the Vedic information. Nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam (Katha Upanisad). So this principle should be broadcast. People should know what is his position.
- As we become advanced in spiritual conception of life, then we can understand what is the actual position in spiritual, transcendental life.
- As a matter of fact, we will see that we are no longer in ignorance or in passion, but are situated in the mode of goodness. What is that position? We will find ourselves joyful in every circumstance of life. We will never feel morose.
Conclusion
By dispelling the profound ignorance covering the soul, one regains their natural, joyous state of eternal servitude. Guiding the lost souls out of this precarious material trap, Śrīla Prabhupāda restores our vision so we can perfectly understand our subordinate position and re-engage in the loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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