Fourteenth Theme: Material Nature Has the Function of Educating Souls

 

Bhagavan does not want to withdraw His favor from Maya who, by making creation possible, has been His devotee since time immemorial.

 

The work of the jailers may not be the most pleasant, but prison is still necessary. Those who want independence are entrusted to the jailer (Maya) for re-education. Therefore, it is a service rendered to the Lord, for which He feels gratitude.

 

But, in His heart, He desires spirit souls to go within themselves, if only out of fear of Maya, for which He gives instructions.

 

Jiva Gosvami mentions the famous verse daivi hy esa gunamayi (Bhagavad-gita 7.14), in which Krishna explains to Arjuna (and to all of us) the impossibility of overcoming Maya by one’s own strength and suggests the only viable way: prapatti, submission to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and immediately afterwards specifies better what is meant by submission and how to implement it. To this end, he uses verse 3.25.25 of Srimad-Bhagavatam, in the chapter where Kapila Muni instructs His mother Devahuti:

“In the association of pure devotees, discussions about the pastimes and activities of the Supreme Personality of Godhead are very pleasant and satisfying to the ear and heart. By cultivating that knowledge one gradually advances along the path of liberation, and when that is achieved, the attraction to listen becomes stronger and stronger. This is the beginning of true devotion and pure devotional service.”

 

The next verse is equally instructive and sheds light where some darkness remains.

 

“Therefore, the practitioner conscientiously engages in devotional service in the company of devotees and constantly thinks about the activities of the Lord; the practitioner is disgusted by the sense gratification that arises within him, both in this world and in the next. This process of Krishna consciousness is the easiest method of developing mystical powers; when one is firmly situated on the path of devotional service, one is able to control the mind.”

 

Therefore, it is only through devotional service that it is possible to transcend Maya and free oneself from her tragedies.

 

In the final part of section thirty-three, Gosvami Maharaja asks himself a question and answers himself immediately afterwards.

 

The question: 

If Maya is a sakti, and a sakti is nothing more than the ability to perform a function, which is another attribute, how can one speak of her as someone who feels ashamed, etc.?

 

The answer: 

We find mention in the sruti of the presiding deity of the sakti, who resides within Bhagavat. An example of this is in the dialogue between Indra and Maya, which we learn from Kena Upanisad.

In other words, the saktis of the Lord are personal deities, so it is quite normal for them to have feelings and emotions.

This is a section of the book “Tattva Sandarbha”, in English.

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