The purpose of this presentation is to provide devotees with pertinent quotes from sastra, Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, and other prominent acaryas so that one may be more properly informed on the issue of the “Origin of the Jiva.” These quotes are organized in a logical way in support of the eleven points bellow. It is not meant to be a complete presentation in itself, but rather to provoke further contemplation, investigation and penetrating thought.

The theory that all living entities in the material world were originally in eternal lila with the Lord in Vaikuntha has many logical and sastric inconsistencies. We have tried to point out some of these herein.

All purports are those of our Guru Maharaja Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, unless otherwise stated. Many quotes from the Jaiva Dharma of Bhaktivinoda Thakura are taken directly from the 2nd English edition pubished by the Madras Gaudiya Matha. The sections quoted were translated by Haridas Maitra, M.A, B.T., former Head Master of Thakura Bhakti Vinoda Institute (Sri Mayapura) and the eminent scholar, His Holiness Srimad Bhakti Sadhaka Niskincana Maharaja, subsequent to learning the proper siddhantic conclusions at the lotus feet of their renowned Guru Maharaja, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura.

It is unfortunate that the leaders of one large organization of devotees have chosen to interpret the conclusions of sastra in a manner directly opposing that of the direct disciples of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura.