Vaiṣṇavas Never Want to Merge Into the Existence of the Supreme
This article explores the fundamental philosophical difference between pure devotion and impersonalism, as explained in the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda. In the material world, conditioned souls pursue various goals—from heavenly enjoyment to mystic perfection. However, the most subtle trap of illusion is the desire to merge into the Supreme. By understanding the ulterior motives of the Māyāvādīs and comparing them to the pure, unconditional loving desires of the Vaiṣṇavas, one can grasp the true, eternal nature of the soul.
The Subtle Illusion of Impersonal Liberation
The desire for liberation (mokṣa) is often considered the highest goal of human life by empiric philosophers. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the desire to merge into the existence of the Lord is simply the ultimate manifestation of material sense gratification. Frustrated by the miseries of the material world, the jñānīs seek to escape by finishing their individuality. This impersonal destination is not a grand achievement; Kṛṣṇa easily grants this exact same liberation to the envious demons He slays on the battlefield.
- When one comes to the stage of moksa, the impersonalist liberation, the practitioner wants to merge into the existence of the Supreme. But that is also sense gratification.
- The jnanis cannot be desireless because their intelligence is unsound. They want to merge into the Brahman effulgence, but even though they may be raised to that platform, they cannot be satisfied there.
- If you want to finish your individuality and merge into the existence of God, that is not very difficult job. Even the enemies of Krsna - Kamsa, Jarasandha, Dantavakra, Sisupala, and many demons - they also merged into the existence of Krsna.
- The fruitive worker wants reward for his work, the mystic wants some perfection of life, and the empiric philosopher wants to merge in the existence of the Lord.
Destinations of the Conditioned Souls
According to their specific desires, the Supreme Lord awards different destinations to the conditioned souls. The fruitive workers (karmīs) who perform pious activities are elevated to the higher planetary systems for a better standard of life. Meanwhile, the impersonalists whose sole ambition is to close their individual identity are accommodated in the brahmajyoti or within Maheśa-dhāma. These destinations, however, are entirely devoid of the blissful, spiritual varieties found in the eternal realm of Vaikuṇṭha.
- Jnani wants to merge, and karmi wants higher level, higher standard of life. That is karmi's business. Karmis give in charity just to acquire pious result out of it, so that after death he can be elevated to the Svargaloka, heavenly planet.
- The impersonalists who want to merge into the existence of the Transcendence are placed within Mahesa-dhama. Those who want to remain within the planetary systems of the material universes do so on various planets.
- On this platform (of the causal ocean), a living entity is completely free from material entanglement. For the jnanis who want to merge into the Brahman effulgence, there is Brahma-loka.
- The Mayavada philosophy and impersonalist philosophy is that they want to close their individual identity and merge into the existence of the Supreme.
The Hidden Motives of Mystics and Māyāvādīs
Many transcendentalists appear to be engaged in authentic spiritual practices, but their internal motives betray their lack of devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that followers of the Patañjali yoga system and highly elevated Māyāvādī sannyāsīs may meditate on the four-handed form of Lord Viṣṇu or even worship the Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deity. However, their ultimate ambition is never to serve the Lord; they merely use these devotional processes as stepping stones to ultimately merge into the Lord's transcendental body or effulgence.
- Yogis who follow the principles of Patanjali accept the personality of the Absolute Truth, but they want to merge into the transcendental body of the Supreme Lord. That is their desire.
- The followers of the Patanjali yoga system actually want to merge into the body of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This indicates that they do not want to engage in His service despite their knowledge of Him.
- There are impersonalist philosophers and mystics, however, who by a show of devotional service want ultimately to merge into the existence of the Supreme Lord.
- Highly elevated Mayavadi sannyasis sometimes worship the Radha-Krsna Deity and discuss the pastimes of the Lord, but their purpose is not elevation to Goloka Vrndavana. They want to merge into the Lord’s effulgence.
The Supreme Desire of the Vaiṣṇava
True liberation begins only when the desire to merge is completely eradicated. The Vaiṣṇavas perfectly understand that the soul is eternally an individual. Rather than seeking to annihilate their identity, pure devotees passionately desire to maintain it so they can participate in the spiritual varieties of Kṛṣṇa's pastimes. A devotee relishes the opportunity to render loving service, taking the position of a servant, friend, or even the father of the Supreme Lord.
- The impersonalists do not accept spiritual varieties of life. They want to merge into the existence of the Supreme Lord in His Brahman feature (the brahmajyoti). The devotees, however, desire to take part in the transcendental activities of the Lord.
- Liberation from material contamination is the stage at which devotional service can be achieved. For a person who simply wants to have liberation and to merge into the impersonal brahmajyoti, attachment to Krsna is not possible to acquire.
- Vaisnavas never want to merge into the existence of the Supreme; rather, they want to be everlastingly servants of the Lord to render loving service unto Him.
- The Mayavadis they want to merge into the Supreme, but we want to become father of Krsna. Why merge? More than Krsna. The devotee can beget Krsna. Krsna accepts that. Yes, I shall become your child. I shall be controlled by your stick.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that the desire to merge into God is the final snare of material illusion. While impersonalism offers a temporary cessation of material misery, it deprives the soul of its constitutional bliss and eternal loving exchanges. The pure Vaiṣṇava completely rejects the barren existence of the brahmajyoti in favor of the dynamic, ever-increasing ecstasy of devotional service. By constantly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, one transcends all self-centered desires for liberation and safely enters the eternal, spiritual varieties of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
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 Wanting to Merge in God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.