Shrila Prabhupada "In Search of the Ultimate Goal of Life"
May 13, 2020 19:50:39 GMT -5
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Post by amalagauradas on May 13, 2020 19:50:39 GMT -5
This writing of Shrila Prabhupada is not so commonly known since it is not printed by the BBT. It describes Chaitanya Mahaprabhu's discussions with Ramananda Raya. I read a section which was applicable which I would like to share.
The PDF is available here
The PDF is available here
The idea of changing the body from one form to another is quite possible even by way of the materialistic mind. Therefore, by spiritual development the possibility of changing the body for the better is even greater.
The conclusion of the above-mentioned spiritual perfection is described in the Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.9.21):
...
Shri Krishna, who is the son of Shrimati Yashoda-devi, is more easily available to persons engaged in spontaneous devotional service than to persons engaged in empiric philosophical speculations.
One who therefore accepts the example set by the cowherd girls of Vraja and always meditates upon the transcendental pastimes of Shri Shri Radha-Krishna day and night while living in Vraja and serving Them there will ultimately obtain the body of a sakhi and directly serve Radha and Krishna.
The supramundane body is transcendental to the gross and subtle bodies of the living entity and it is suitable for rendering loving service to Shri Shri Radha-Krishna. Transmigration of the soul from one body to another takes place in material existence according to the living entity’s fruitive activities, which are carried out in relation to the three modes of nature. In the Bhagavad-gita, the transmigration of the soul is vividly described. The mind carries the soul to another body just as the air carries aromas. At the time of death, one’s state of mind is very important in this connection. The mind is prone to be absorbed in the particular kind of thinking, feeling, and willing that it has always done in relation to its daily activities
The state of the mind at the time of leaving the body depends on the modes of thinking, feeling, and willing. Devotees are advised to think continuously, day and night, about the transcendental pastimes of Radha and Krishna, so that their minds will be absorbed with that type of thinking, feeling, and willing. As such, it will be possible for the living entity to enter the kingdom of Radha and Krishna to directly associate with Them for rendering loving service in the particular sentiment that he cultivated continually during his life.
In material existence, the mind is always conditioned to think about material enjoyment. Therefore, the mind has to be engaged in contemplating the transcendental subject matter that has no connection with the three modes of nature. The divine pastimes of Radha and Krishna and the activities of the cowherd girls of Vraja are above the three qualities of material nature. When the mind is engaged in thinking, feeling, and willing in connection with such transcendental subjects, the living entity is sure to ultimately get the service of Radha and Krishna.
....
By following the principles of devotional activities as propounded by Ramananda Raya under the order of Lord Caitanya, every human being can attain the eternal life of ecstasy in the company of the Personality of Godhead in different transcendental rasas as are enjoyed by the denizens of Vraja or Goloka Vrindavana, the eternal abode of Shri Krishna.
The conclusion of the above-mentioned spiritual perfection is described in the Shrimad Bhagavatam (10.9.21):
...
Shri Krishna, who is the son of Shrimati Yashoda-devi, is more easily available to persons engaged in spontaneous devotional service than to persons engaged in empiric philosophical speculations.
One who therefore accepts the example set by the cowherd girls of Vraja and always meditates upon the transcendental pastimes of Shri Shri Radha-Krishna day and night while living in Vraja and serving Them there will ultimately obtain the body of a sakhi and directly serve Radha and Krishna.
The supramundane body is transcendental to the gross and subtle bodies of the living entity and it is suitable for rendering loving service to Shri Shri Radha-Krishna. Transmigration of the soul from one body to another takes place in material existence according to the living entity’s fruitive activities, which are carried out in relation to the three modes of nature. In the Bhagavad-gita, the transmigration of the soul is vividly described. The mind carries the soul to another body just as the air carries aromas. At the time of death, one’s state of mind is very important in this connection. The mind is prone to be absorbed in the particular kind of thinking, feeling, and willing that it has always done in relation to its daily activities
The state of the mind at the time of leaving the body depends on the modes of thinking, feeling, and willing. Devotees are advised to think continuously, day and night, about the transcendental pastimes of Radha and Krishna, so that their minds will be absorbed with that type of thinking, feeling, and willing. As such, it will be possible for the living entity to enter the kingdom of Radha and Krishna to directly associate with Them for rendering loving service in the particular sentiment that he cultivated continually during his life.
In material existence, the mind is always conditioned to think about material enjoyment. Therefore, the mind has to be engaged in contemplating the transcendental subject matter that has no connection with the three modes of nature. The divine pastimes of Radha and Krishna and the activities of the cowherd girls of Vraja are above the three qualities of material nature. When the mind is engaged in thinking, feeling, and willing in connection with such transcendental subjects, the living entity is sure to ultimately get the service of Radha and Krishna.
....
By following the principles of devotional activities as propounded by Ramananda Raya under the order of Lord Caitanya, every human being can attain the eternal life of ecstasy in the company of the Personality of Godhead in different transcendental rasas as are enjoyed by the denizens of Vraja or Goloka Vrindavana, the eternal abode of Shri Krishna.