53. Spirit Soul is Dependent

Adhyaya 3 Pada 3 AdhikaraNa 16

The Individual Spirit Soul is Dependent on the Supreme
Personality of Godhead


Introduction by shrIla Baladeva VidyAbhUShaNa


Now another doubt is considered.

SaMshaya (doubt): Is the individual spirit soul independent
in his actions, or does he depend on another?

PUrvapakSha (the opponent speaks): The scriptures say:


svarga-kAmo yajeta


"One who desires Svargaloka should perform yaj
24as."

and


tasmAd brAhmaNaH surAM na pibet pApmanotsaMsR^ija


"A brAhmaNa should not drink liquor and should not
commit sins."

That the scriptures give orders and prohibitions for the
soul to follow is proof that the soul is independent, for
independence means to have the power to do one thing and to
refrain from doing another.

SiddhAnta (conclusion): In the following words the author of
the sUtras gives his conclusion.


SUtra 39


parAt tu tac-chruteH

parAt - from the Supreme; tu - but; tat - of that;shruteH - from
the scriptures.


But from the Supreme, because of the scriptures.

Purport by shrIla Baladeva VidyAbhUShaNa


The word "tu" (but) is used to remove doubt. The
Supreme Personality of Godhead inspires the individual spirit
soul to act. How is that known? The sUtra explains: "tac-
chruteH" (It is known from the scriptures). The scriptures give
the following explanations:


antaH praviShTaH shAstA janAnAm

"Entering their hearts, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead controls all living entities."


ya Atmani tiShThann AtmAnam antaro yamayati


"Entering their hearts, the Supreme Personality of
Godhead controls all living entities."


eSha eva sAdhu karma kArayati


"The Lord engages the living entity in pious
activities so he may be elevated."*

Here someone may object: So be it. However, if the Supreme
Personality of Godhead is the actual performer of actions, then
the orders and prohibitions of the scriptures are all
meaningless. The scriptures can give orders and prohibitions only
if the individual spirit soul is independent and thus has the
power to make choices.

If this is said, then the author of the sUtras gives the
following reply.

SUtra 40


kR^ita-prayatnApekShas tu vihita-pratiShiddhAvaiyarthyAdibhyaH

kR^ita - done; prayatna - effort; ApekShaH - relation;tu - but;
vihita - ordered; pratiShiddha - forbidden; a - not;
vaiyarthya - meaninglessness; AdibhyaH - beginning.


But it is by effort because then orders and prohibitions are
not without meaning.

Purport by shrIla Baladeva VidyAbhUShaNa


The word "tu" (but) is used here to dispel doubt.
The individual spirit soul performs pious and impious deeds.
Taking into consideration the individual soul.as efforts, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead gives him facility to act in a
certain way. Therefore the previously stated objection is not valid.
The pious and impious deeds of the individual spirit soul
are like different seeds that sprout into different kinds of
plants. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is like the rain that
falls on these seeds and makes them grow. Therefore in this
situation is the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the instrument
by which these seeds of karma bear fruit. The seeds of various
trees, vines, and other plants are the specific cause of these
plants, and the rain that makes them grow is the general cause.
If no raincloud brings water there will not be any variety of
sweet flowers or other plants. If there is no seed there will not
any flowers or plants either. In this way the Supreme Personality
of Godhead gives the results of the pious and impious deeds
performed by the individual spirit soul. Even though dispatched by another, aperson is still the performer of the
actions he does. Therefore it cannot be said that the individual
spirit soul does not perform actions.
Why is that? The sUtra explains: "Because then
orders and prohibitions are not without meaning." The word
Adi" (beginning with) in this sUtra means that the Supreme
Personality of Godhead gives mercy and punishment according to
the pious and impious actions of the individual spirit souls. If
that interpretation is accepted, then the orders and prohibitions
of the scriptures are not without meaning. If the Supreme
Personality of Godhead actually forces the individual spirit soul
to act piously or impiously, and the soul is like a rock or a log
and has no independence, then the orders of the scripture to
perform pious deeds and avoid impious deeds are all worthless and
should be rejected.
The scriptures say that when He is merciful the Supreme
Personality of Godhead engages the individual spirit soul in
pious activities so he may be elevated, and when He withdraws His
mercy the Supreme Personality of Godhead engages the individual
spirit soul in impious activities so he may go to hell. If this
means that the individual living entity has no choice, and pious
and impious deeds are forced on him by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, then the Supreme Personality of Godhead is cruel and
unjust, a monster. Therefore it must be concluded that the
individual spirit soul does have free will, and is responsible
for his actions, although he does not have the power to transfer
his desire and will into concrete action unless the Supreme
Personality of Godhead permits. In this way everything is
explained.