Fall, No-Fall
BY: BALAVIDYA DASA
Feb 3, USA (SUN) — In our previous posting, we have shown how a quotation from a lecture by Srila Prabhupada has been misinterpreted by the "fall-from-Goloka-thru-envy-vadis" to support their odd misconception. In this short posting, we would like to re-present the same ever-fresh conversation to illustrate the intellectual bankruptcy of the "envy-goloka-fall-vadis".
However, first, we look to point out another misrepresentation by the "envy-vadis": We have posting explanations of the "fall" of the jiva, with all reference to guru, sadhu, sastra; however, the "fall-vadis" have often labeled the explanation as a "no-fall" theory. This is certainly a disingenuous tactic. Right from our first posting, we have given Vedas to explain that the jiva "falls" from devotionally nascent consciousness while within the border between the spiritual and material worlds that is the Casual Ocean after emanation from Maha-Visnu. So why have the "envy-vadis" presented our "fall" explanation as "no-fall"?
Well, we all certainly know that all the acaryas and the Vedas explain the entry of the jiva into the material world as a "fall". Certainly, Srila Prabhupada uses this term. Therefore, we must consider that the reason the "envy-vadis" prefer to stick on this false label is because by applying this term to the ontology we have presented, then this makes it appear that our ontology is different from Srila Prabhupada. Or to put it another way, by saying our version is "no-fall", we are made to appear in opposition to Srila Prabhupada's "fall-theory". Nothing could be further from the Truth.
So at this point, we must point out that our description is certainly a "fall-theory". We might call it "Fall, No Fall". The tatastha-jiva 'falls' from the Casual Ocean but there is 'no-fall' from the Supreme Abode of the Lord. Kindly, note that Krsna describes His Supreme Abode as the "param-dham" in the Gita. Certainly, the Casual Ocean is the abode of the Lord, but the Casual Ocean is not the 'Supreme Abode'. The transcendental planets are the Supreme Abode. We have no doubt that "Fall, no-Fall" is also Srila Prabhupada's theory, and in the previous posting have given all guru, sadhu, and sastra evidence accordingly. However it must be pointed out that we are still waiting on the sastra to support "fall from Goloka" from the "envy-vadis". Yet, there is not one sastric word coming forth on this topic from the "Goloka-envy-vadis".
No sastra will come, as it is certainly not Srila Prabhupada's philosophy:
Conversation from a lecture, Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 7.108, 2.18.1967:
Bhaktijana: When the souls that were never conditioned at all..., do they also have the independence?
Prabhupada: Yes, but they have not misused. They know that "I am meant for Krsna's service," and they are happy in Krsna's service."
Above, Srila Prabhupada explains that no jiva falls from the Supreme Abode, because they are situated "in knowledge" and "happiness".
Bhaktijana: Could they ever misuse it?
Prabhupada: Yes, they can misuse it also. That power is there. Yes?
Above, Srila Prabhupada explains that the jiva retains his independence in the Supreme Abode. Note, that Srila Prabhupada does not say that they 'do' misuse their independence, rather "that power is there". It is a possibility.
Devotee: Well, I believe you once said that once a conditioned soul becomes perfected and gets out of the material world and he goes to Krsnaloka, there's no possibility of falling back.
Prabhupada: No! There is possibility, but he does not come. Just like after putting your hand in the fire, you never put it again if you are really intelligent. So those who are going back to Godhead, they become intelligent.
Above, Srila Prabhupada brilliantly explains that the jiva has the "possibility" of misusing "that power". However, "but, he does not come". He does not fall to the material world again. The jiva does not "misuse that power". Srila Prabhupada explains this in terms of the jiva attaining the spiritual world at this point, relevant to the particular question.
So, therefore, in the first interchange, Srila Prabhupada explains that the jivas of the spiritual world do not fall, and in the third interchange, the jivas after attaining the Supreme Abode do not fall. Why? Because, they do not "misuse" their "independence" whilst in these positions because they have "knowledge" and are "happy". Thus in a few lines Srila Prabhupada has wonderfully explained so many deep aspects of our philosophy. One of which is undoubtedly that there is "no-fall" from Goloka, even though jiva theoretically retains the power to misuse his independence. Thus, through Krsna-prema one reaches eternal perfection.
As Srila Prabhupada declared:
"The conclusion is that no one falls from the spiritual world, or Vaikuntha planet, for it is the eternal abode." Srila Prabhupada, purport, Srimad-Bhagavatam. 3.16.26.
So, dear readers, don't be in doubt that you will "fall from the Supreme Abode" once you have "attained" that wondrous place of transcendental perfection, where "every step is a dance, every word is a song". You will not fall. No one falls from "Perfection". If they do fall from "Perfection", then what kind of "Perfection" is that? In fact, to "fall" from that state into abject misery in the material world could only mean that it is "Not-Perfection". So that means there is "Not-Perfection" for the jiva, even in the Supreme Abode. Therefore, the Supreme Abode is not a place of the "Highest Perfection" as the Gita declares along with all Vedas. At least from the point of view of the jivas, Goloka is a place of "Not-Perfection". This badly mistaken philosophy.
So now we can understand why this "Goloka-envy-fall-theory" is completely demoniac: It deliberately, paints a picture of "Not-Perfection" for the jiva in Goloka. It paints Goloka as a place of envy and discord. It refutes all Vedas. It suggests that the relationship between the Lord and His devotees is subject to tribulation and subject to sharp, disastrous change. This philosophy, without support from the Vedas, sadhus, and Srila Prabhupada, can only appeal to the ignorant, the spiritually untutored, the unintelligent, and the demoniac. Certainly, even though unlimited zillions and zillions of jivas are in the unlimited universes, there is not one description in the Vedas of one jiva "envy-falling-from-the-Supreme Abode".
However, the Vedas expound in the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad, 4.3.9:
tasya va etasya purunasya dve eva sthane bhavata
idam ca paraloka-sthanam ca sandhyam trtiyam
svapna-sthanam tasmin sandhye sthane tisthan ete
ubhe sthane pasyati idam ca paraloka-sthanam ca
"The jiva has access to two places, both of which he may seek, this material world and the spiritual realm. He is situated in svapna-sthanam, the dream-like third state, on the margin of these two worlds [the Casual Ocean]. From that middle position he is able to see both the material and the spiritual worlds."
"Further, the following statement from the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad, 4.3.18, describes the nature of the marginal position of the jiva:
tad yaths mahs matsya ubhe kule'
nusancarati purvam ca param caivam
evsyam purusa etsv ubhav antav
anusancarati svapnantam ca buddhantam ca
"The symptoms of the marginal existence are like those of a huge aquatic who is capable of living on both the eastern and western sides of the river at his own will. Similarly, the jiva soul, situated within the waters of the Causal Ocean, which lies between the material and spiritual worlds, is able to reside in both the dream world of matter and the spiritual world of divine wakefulness."
To consider that the Lord's Supreme Abode is a place of "Not-Perfection" is a serious ontological mistake, and can only lead to illogical results under argumentation. It is rather like calculating 2+2=3 at the beginning of a long involved calculation. All along the line, everything will be a mistake. If we consider in our Krsna-consciousness contemplations that the Supreme Abode is a place of "envy" and "falling", then we are badly off the mark. We are certainly not contemplating the Lord's Supreme Abode correctly. So the potency of our meditation upon the Absolute Truth will be very much reduced with unfortunate results. Moreover, if we determinedly propagate this mistake amongst the neophyte aspirants, then we will incur great demerit, or perhaps more. Especially, because this mistake is clearly an offence to the Lord, His devotees, the relationship between them, and the Supreme Conscious Abode of the Lord. Therefore, it is demoniac and should be exposed for the welfare of all.
Our philosophy is summarized as inconceivable oneness and difference. It is fitting then, that when one sums up the Vedic conclusion on this particular topic, we have the summary: "Fall, No-Fall". "Fall from the Casual Ocean", yet "No-Fall from the Supreme Abode".
Yes, that's the Absolute Truth: "One and Different" and "Fall, No-Fall".
We hope this is found helpful,
Your servant, Balavidya dasa
