The Ages of Mankind, Krishna and Free Will
October 15 , 2007
Hare Krishna.
Your inquiry concerning the various ages of mankind, and specifically the distinctions between these ages and their characteristics, actually speaks to a deeper subject regarding our material existence. One could also apply your trend of thought to the embodiment of the soul in the various species of life. Your question, why if Lord Krishna is all powerful and full independent in providing for us, does he allow us to be subjected to the miseries of material existence.
The key to understanding this very important question is knowledge of the independence Krishna provides to us. This independence is part of our spiritual constitution, being a infinitesimal fragmental part of Krishna's spiritual potency. By this independence we can enter into a spiritual communion with Krishna in an intimate living exchange in one of five primary relationships, neutrality, servitorship, friendship, parenthood and intimate lover. However, this independence also affords us the opportunity to reject Krishna's love and act independently for personal enjoyment.
When we misuse our independence, avoiding our loving service to Krishna, He provides this material energy for our exploitation. And thus we become subject to the illusion that we are these material bodies and by this bodily misidentification we suffer in material existence. This so called suffering is simply due to our misidentification with these material bodies and as Krishna explains in the Bhagavad-gita one must learn tolerate them, realizing their temporary nature.
Krishna's external material energy, comprising all the various seasons of man (the yugas), seasons of the year, seasons of our lives (boyhood, youth, manhood, old age) and all the other varieties we experience are simply due to this misuse of our spiritual independence.
We will be relieved of all these miseries of material life as we take to our true spiritual nature and revive our loving relationship with God. Relieving us of these material miseries is Krishna's objective and why His material energy in all its various manifestations ultimately bewilders and frustrates when we misuse our independence.
Please chant Hare Krishna and your life will become sublime.
Sincerely,
Dulal Chadra dasa
Your inquiry concerning the various ages of mankind, and specifically the distinctions between these ages and their characteristics, actually speaks to a deeper subject regarding our material existence. One could also apply your trend of thought to the embodiment of the soul in the various species of life. Your question, why if Lord Krishna is all powerful and full independent in providing for us, does he allow us to be subjected to the miseries of material existence.
The key to understanding this very important question is knowledge of the independence Krishna provides to us. This independence is part of our spiritual constitution, being a infinitesimal fragmental part of Krishna's spiritual potency. By this independence we can enter into a spiritual communion with Krishna in an intimate living exchange in one of five primary relationships, neutrality, servitorship, friendship, parenthood and intimate lover. However, this independence also affords us the opportunity to reject Krishna's love and act independently for personal enjoyment.
When we misuse our independence, avoiding our loving service to Krishna, He provides this material energy for our exploitation. And thus we become subject to the illusion that we are these material bodies and by this bodily misidentification we suffer in material existence. This so called suffering is simply due to our misidentification with these material bodies and as Krishna explains in the Bhagavad-gita one must learn tolerate them, realizing their temporary nature.
Krishna's external material energy, comprising all the various seasons of man (the yugas), seasons of the year, seasons of our lives (boyhood, youth, manhood, old age) and all the other varieties we experience are simply due to this misuse of our spiritual independence.
We will be relieved of all these miseries of material life as we take to our true spiritual nature and revive our loving relationship with God. Relieving us of these material miseries is Krishna's objective and why His material energy in all its various manifestations ultimately bewilders and frustrates when we misuse our independence.
Please chant Hare Krishna and your life will become sublime.
Sincerely,
Dulal Chadra dasa