Visnu-tattva and Visnu-sakti-tattva living entities are Krsna playing another role in His own pastimes.

The jiva-souls or marginal living entities are independent beings (meaning they have free will in the Spiritual worlds and an independent unique personality and individuality separate from Krsna's Personality. 

Having this freedom as part of their constitutional make up, even allows them to reject Krsna if they choose.  

Krsna has many different energies. Jiva-souls are one, matter is one, His direct expansions are one and His intimate consorts are one.

All the variety of "living entities" are sakti-tattva and part and parcel of the internal energy however, there are different categories of Krsna's "sakti-tattva" energy such as Visnu-tattva, Siva-tattva and jiva-tattva.  

For example the jiva-tattva (jiva-souls or marginal living entities) have 78.125% of Krsna's attributes, which means they have 50 of Krsna's 64 attributes. 

While other expansions of Krsna are Visnu-tattva and Visnu-"sakti"-tattvas (both having 93.75% of Krsna's attributes which is exhibiting 60 of Krsna's 64 attributes. 

Both these categories are direct expansions of Krsna, unlike the jiva-souls who are expansions of Krsna yet have their own independent personality separate from Krsna's Personality. 

The Viṣṇu-tattvas are Krsna Himself just playing another role in His own pastimes. 

What is Visnu-"sakti"-tattva? 

This category of Krsna's "sakti energy" are actually Viṣṇu-tattva.

Srila Prabhupada - "Tattva is manifested in different ways-

1 - Viṣṇu-tattva,

2 - Viṣṇu-śakti-tattva

3 - jīva-tattva, like that." (SB Canto 6 Ch 2 text 7, Vrndavana, Sep 10, 1975)

The jiva-tattva or marginal living entities are independent free thinking souls (meaning they always have "free will" in the spiritual worlds that even allows them to even reject Krsna if they choose) with their own character, sense of self, individuality and unique personality.

There is also Siva-tattva who is in a league of his own who has 55 of Krsna's 64 attributes which is 84.375% of Krsna's qualities.

The Visnu-"sakti"-tattva and Visnu-tattva Personalities are the eternal inhabitants of Vrindavana and never fall down because they are Krsna playing a different role in His own eternal pastimes, they are direct expansions of Krsna. 

For example the 5 Pancha-tattva devotees of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's lila or pastime are a combination of Visnu-"sakti"-tattva, Visnu-tattva and one being jiva-tattva.

Srila Prabhupada - ''Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Śrī Nityānanda, Śrī Advaita, Śrī Gadādhara, and Śrīvāsādi. Śrīvāsādi means jīva-tattva. The jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva, viṣṇu-tattva, these are all tattvas. So Pañca-tattva. Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the supreme tattva, Kṛṣṇa. Śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya. We are worshipping Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. So Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa combined." (CC Adi-lila 7.5, Mayapur, March 7, 1974)

Lets understand the meaning of sakti-

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa expands Himself into various viṣṇu-tattva forms, and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī expands Herself into various śakti-tattva forms, by Her internal potency, as multiforms of the goddess of fortune." (Krsna Book 52)

"Sakti" refers to Radharani and Her expansions but also has other meanings too.

Sakti also refers to ALL the energies of Kṛṣṇa, they are all His sakti just like the sunshine is the sun-rays coming from the Sun-disc.

Therefore sakti-tattva is Visnu-tattva, Visnu-sakti-tattva, jiva-tattva, Siva-tattva and mahat-tattva (the material creation) 

However, both Visnu-tattva and Visnu-sakti-tattva are Krsna Himself playing a different role in His own pastimes and the jiva-souls are more independent than those direct expansions of Krsna. 

This is not meant to be easy to understand, this knowledge must be earned by by properly surrendering to the bonafide spiritual master.

Just like one can never enter the Moon planet called Chandraloka or the Sun planet called Surya unless one has the right subtle body and accumulation of pious activities (good karma)

Actually the correct understanding is that all of Krsna’s energies are under the broad category of sakti-tattva Prabhupada tells us.

Srila Prabhupada - ''There are Viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva and sakti-tattva. Viṣṇu-tattva is the Supreme Absolute Truth, jīva-tattva is part and parcel, and sakti-tattva is the energy of God." (SB Canto 1 Ch 5 text 15, New Vrindaban, June 19, 1969)

Srila Prabhupada - "Lord is one without a second, and He expands Himself into many for His transcendental pleasure.

All the expansions—the viṣṇu-tattvas, the jīva-tattvas and the śakti-tattvas (the Personalities of Godhead, the living entities and the different potential energies)—are different offshoots from the same one Supreme Lord.

The jīva-tattvas are separated expansions of the viṣṇu-tattvas, and although there are potential differences between them, they are all meant for the transcendental sense gratification of the Supreme Lord.

Some of the jīvas, however, wanted to lord it over material nature in imitation of the lordship of the Personality of Godhead.

Regarding when and why such propensities overcame the pure living entities, it can only be explained that the jīva-tattvas have infinitesimal independence and that due to misuse of this independence some of the living entities have become implicated in the conditions of cosmic creation and are therefore called nitya baddhas, or eternally conditioned souls." (SB Canto 3 Ch 5 text 51, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "In Bhagavad-gītā the Lord says that whenever one sees an extraordinary power, he should conclude that a specific partial representation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is present.

There are innumerable such personalities, but not all of them are direct viṣṇu-tattva plenary expansions of the Lord. Many living entities are classified among the śakti-tattvas.

Such incarnations, empowered for specific purposes, are known as śaktyāveśa-avatāras. King Pṛthu was such a śaktyāveśa-avatāra of the Lord. 

Similarly, Arci, King Pṛthu's wife, was a śaktyāveśa-avatāra of the goddess of fortune." (SB Canto 4 Ch 15 text 6, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "In the Brahma-saṁhitā, the important demigods—Lord Śiva, Lord Brahmā and even the incarnations and expansions of Lord Kṛṣṇa like Mahā-Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and all the other viṣṇu-tattvas, as well as the śakti-tattvas like Durgādevī—are all worshiped by the process of worshiping Govinda with the words govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi .

A Vaiṣṇava worships the demigods in relation to Govinda, not independently. Vaiṣṇavas are not so foolish that they consider the demigods independent of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is confirmed in Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa, āra saba bhṛtya: (CC Adi 5.142) the supreme master is Kṛṣṇa, and all others are His servants." (SB Canto 5 Ch 4 text 17, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The words bṛhate namas te have been explained by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura: bṛhate śrī-kṛṣṇāya. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is Kṛṣṇa. There are many tattvas, such as viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva and śakti-tattva, but above everything is the viṣṇu-tattva, which is all-pervading.

This all-pervading feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is explained in Bhagavad-gītā (10.42), wherein the Lord says:
athavā bahunaitena
kiṁ jñātena tavārjuna
viṣṭabhyāham idaṁ kṛtsnam
ekāṁśena sthito jagat
"But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe." (SB Canto 8 Ch 3 text 17, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Everything is situated as part of the Supreme Lord's potency. In regard to Lord Kṛṣṇa's appearance in the womb of Devakī, Brahmā played a part also because on the bank of the milk ocean he requested the Supreme Personality of Godhead to appear. A part was also played by Baladeva, the first expansion of Godhead.

Similarly, Yogamāyā, who appeared as the daughter of mother Yaśodā, also played a part. 

Thus jīva-tattva, viṣṇu-tattva and śakti-tattva are all integrated with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and when Kṛṣṇa appears, He appears with all His integrated parts.

As explained in previous verses, Yogamāyā was requested to attract Saṅkarṣaṇa, Baladeva, from the womb of Devakī to the womb of Rohiṇī, and this was a very heavy task for her. Yogamāyā naturally could not see how it was possible for her to attract Saṅkarṣaṇa." (SB Canto 10 Ch 2 text 9, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is the supreme controller, the one Personality of Godhead, has ecstatically become a devotee, yet His body is transcendental and not materially tinged.

There are different tattvas, or truths, including īśa-tattva, jīva-tattva and śakti-tattva. Īśa-tattva refers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead Viṣṇu, who is the supreme living force. In the Kaṭha Upaniṣad it is said, nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām: the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme eternal and the supreme living force.

The living entities are also eternal and are also living forces, but they are very minute in quantity, whereas the Supreme Lord is the supreme living force and the supreme eternal.

The supreme eternal never accepts a body of a temporary material nature, whereas the living entities, who are part and parcel of the supreme eternal, are prone to do so." (CC Adi 7.10, Translation and Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "In his Anubhāṣya, Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, describing the truth about the Pañca-tattva, explains that we should understand that Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the supreme predominator and that Nityānanda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu are His subordinates but are also predominators.

Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Lord, and Nityānanda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu are manifestations of the Supreme Lord. All of Them are viṣṇu-tattva, the Supreme, and are therefore worshipable by the living entities.

Although the other two tattvas within the category of Pañca-tattva—namely, śakti-tattva and jīva-tattva, represented by Gadādhara and Śrīvāsa—are worshipers of the Supreme Lord, they are in the same category because they eternally engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord." (CC Adi 7.15, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "The devotees headed by Gadādhara Paṇḍita are to be considered incarnations of the internal potency of the Lord. They are confidential devotees engaged in the service of the Lord. 

In connection with verses 16 and 17, Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura explains in his Anubhāṣya:

"There are specific symptoms by which the internal devotees and the unalloyed or pure devotees are to be known. All unalloyed devotees are śakti-tattvas, or potencies of the Lord. Some of them are situated in conjugal love and others in filial affection, fraternity and servitude. 

Certainly all of them are devotees, but by making a comparative study it is found that the devotees or potencies who are engaged in conjugal love are better situated than the others.

Thus devotees who are in a relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in conjugal love are considered to be the most confidential devotees of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu."(CC Adi 7.17, Translation and Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura comments in his Anubhāṣya that among the five tattvas, two are energies (śakti-tattva) and the three others are energetic (śaktimān tattva).

Unalloyed and internal devotees are both engaged in the favorable culture of Kṛṣṇa consciousness untinged by philosophical speculation or fruitive activities. They are all understood to be pure devotees, and those among them who simply engage in conjugal love are called mādhurya-bhaktas, or internal devotees.

The loving services in parental love, fraternity and servitude are included in conjugal love of God. In conclusion, therefore, every confidential devotee is a pure devotee of the Lord." (CC Adi 7.18-19, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "In Bengal there is perpetual competition between the devotees of goddess Kālī and the devotees of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Generally Bengalis, especially those who are meat-eaters and drunkards, are very much attached to worshiping the goddesses Durgā, Kālī, Śītalā and Caṇḍī.

Such devotees, who are known as śāktas, or worshipers of the śakti-tattva, are always envious of Vaiṣṇavas.

Since Śrīvāsa Ṭhākura was a well-known and respected Vaiṣṇava in Navadvīpa, Gopāla Cāpāla wanted to reduce his prestige by bringing him down to the platform of the śāktas." (CC Adi 17.38, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "In different Vedic scriptures, there are prescribed rules and regulative principles for worshiping different types of forms. When one is purified by these rules and regulations, he worships You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Although manifested in many forms, You are one. This verse is quoted from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam (Canto 10.40.7). 

In the Vedas it is stated that the one becomes many (eko bahu syām). The Supreme Personality of Godhead expands Himself in various forms—viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva and śakti-tattva." (CC Madhya 20.173, Translation and Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Gradually Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma reached the city of Dvārakā, which was surrounded by the sea. Following this, Śrī Balarāma married Revatī, daughter of King Raivata, ruler of Ānarta Province.

This is explained in the Ninth Canto of Śrīmad Bhāgavatam. After the marriage of Baladeva, Kṛṣṇa married Rukmiṇī. Rukmiṇī was the daughter of King Bhīṣmaka, ruler of the province known as Vidarbha.

Just as Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva, Rukmiṇī is the supreme goddess of fortune, Mahā-Lakṣmī.

According to the authority of the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, the expansion of Kṛṣṇa and that of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī are simultaneous-

"Kṛṣṇa expands Himself into various viṣṇu-tattva forms, and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī expands Herself into various śakti-tattva forms, by Her internal potency, as multiforms of the goddess of fortune." (Krsna Book 52)

Viṣṇu-tattva is puruṣa-tattva, and we are śakti-tattva, śakti, energy, marginal energy of Kṛṣṇa. So energy is prakṛti. The prakṛti is not puruṣa.

Srila Prabhupada - "Prakṛti means enjoyed. Enjoyer and... Predominator and the predominated. 

So jīva-bhūta, we jīvas, we are all prakṛti. Puruṣa is only Kṛṣṇa. All living entities... Viṣṇu-tattva is puruṣa-tattva, and we are śakti-tattva, śakti, energy, marginal energy of Kṛṣṇa.

So energy is prakṛti. The prakṛti is not puruṣa. So Māyāvāda philosophy is wrong. They pose them as so 'ham. So 'ham "I am the same." How you can be same? In the śāstra it is said that "You living entity, you are prakṛti."

How you can become same, you puruṣa. This is mistake. How prakṛti, how a woman can become man? Artificially one can become. Here also so-called woman, they are also puruṣa.

They are thinking puruṣa. Puruṣa means enjoyer. Here woman is also thinking to enjoy, and the so-called man is also thinking to enjoy. Everyone. Nobody wants to serve. Everyone wants to be served. Puruṣa attitude." (BG Ch 1 text 13-14, London, July 14, 1973)

There are jīva-tattvas, there are śakti-tattvas, there are viṣṇu-tattvas. People do not know it.

Srila Prabhupada - "Of course, Kṛṣṇa is viṣṇu-tattva. Kṛṣṇa is not in the category of jīva-tattva. There are jīva-tattvas, there are śakti-tattvas, there are viṣṇu-tattvas.

People do not know it. Therefore in the next line it is said, paraṁ bhāvam ajānantaḥ. They do not know what is viṣṇu-tattva, what is jīva-tattva, what is śakti-tattva, how things are working. Paraṁ bhāvam ajānantaḥ (BG 9.11). Mama bhūta-maheśvaram: "I am the Supreme Person." (BG Ch 9.11, Calcutta, June 30, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - "So there are expansions, svāṁśa, personal expansion, and separated expansion. The personal expansions are called viṣṇu-tattva. Baladeva... Just like Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, His personal expansion is Nityānanda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu.

And Śrīvāsādi they are separated expansion. Although they are associates, but Śrīvāsa, jīva-tattva; and Nityānanda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu, viṣṇu-tattva. And Gadādhara is śakti-tattva.

So in this way, God is person and His personal expansions are innumerable, unlimited. Viṣṇu-tattva. They are worshipable. And other tattva, śakti-tattva and jīva-tattva, they are meant for service. But all together taken, that is one. That is Absolute Truth." (SB Canto 1 Ch 3 text 27, Los Angeles, Oct 2, 1972)

Śakti-tattva is the energy of God.

Srila Prabhupada - "So God is one, but there are different kinds of demigods. That is also a fact. They are accepted as different parts and parcels of God, as we are also. The demigods are also living entities.

They are not viṣṇu-tattva. There are viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva and śakti-tattva. Viṣṇu-tattva is the Supreme Absolute Truth, jīva-tattva is part and parcel, and śakti-tattva is the energy of God. So the demigods... You can become a demigod.

You can become. If you follow the process how to become, then you become one day the demigod in the sun planet. It is not difficult. You can become one day even Lord Brahmā." (SB Canto 1 Ch 5 text 15, New Vrindaban, June 19, 1969)

Viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva. There are different tattvas.

Srila Prabhupada - "Anything about Nārāyaṇa, that is not of this material world. That is of the spiritual world. Therefore, Kṛṣṇa question and Kṛṣṇa answer, they are not material things.

Therefore, if we always engage ourself in Kṛṣṇa question and Kṛṣṇa answer... śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ (SB 7.5.23). Therefore it is called Viṣṇu. Not that any other śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam. Viṣṇu means viṣṇu-tattva.

Rāmādi-mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan. Viṣṇu-tattva means rāmādi-mūrti. Rāma, Nṛsiṁha, Varāha, Kṛṣṇa... There are so many. They are described. They are viṣṇu-tattva. Viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva.

There are different tattvas. So śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam. If you engage yourself in śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam, that should be for Viṣṇu, not for any other, anyone else. Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇam. Smaraṇam, meditation. That is also Viṣṇu." (SB Canto 2 Ch 1 text 3, Delhi, Nov 6, 1973)

Tattva is manifested in different ways: Viṣṇu-tattva, Viṣṇu-śakti-tattva, jīva-tattva, like that.

Srila Prabhupada - "If one thinks that the holy name of Hari is as good as the name of other demigods, then it is nāmāparadha. That is not śuddha-nāma. So people are being misguided in that way. But the śāstra does not say that.

The śāstra says, harer nāma, harer nāma (CC Adi 17.21), the holy name of Hari, Kṛṣṇa, Viṣṇu, Viṣṇu-tattva. Hari means Viṣṇu-tattva. There are...

Tattva is manifested in different ways: Viṣṇu-tattva, Viṣṇu-śakti-tattva, jīva-tattva, like that. So śāstra says that harer nāma, Viṣṇu-tattva. Viṣṇu... Of course, Lord Viṣṇu has several thousands of names according to His different activities: Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, Hari, Govinda, Mādhava, many names." (SB Canto 6 Ch 2 text 7, Vrndavana, September 10, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada - "We do not know who is the actual architect behind all this nice material creation. That is Mahā-Viṣṇu, and His incarnation is Advaita Prabhu.

Caitanya Mahāprabhu is directly Kṛṣṇa, or Kṛṣṇa's incarnation. Nityānanda Prabhu is directly incarnation of Baladeva, and similarly, Śrī Advaita Prabhu is incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu.

So all of Them are on the equal footing. Śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda, śrī-advaita. They are on the same equal level. And then śakti-tattva, Śrī-Gadādhara and Śrīvāsādi gaura bhakta-vṛnda.

Gadādhara is the internal energy, and Śrīvāsādi gaura bhakta-vṛnda, they are marginal energy.

So Īśvara-tattva and śakti-tattva. So within this group, there is no this material energy because in the spiritual world there is no action of material energy, only spiritual energy.

In the material world there is action of material energy. In the spiritual world there is no material energy. Therefore, in this Pañca-tattva, there is no mention of material energy because in the spiritual world there is no material energy." (CC Adi-lila 1.12, Mayapur, April 5, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam: (SB 1.3.28) "All of them are Bhagavān, but the original Bhagavān, real Bhagavān, is Kṛṣṇa." Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam. So everyone is under Kṛṣṇa.

Therefore Caitanya caritāmṛta Kar says, ekale īśvara kṛṣṇa āra saba bhṛtya (CC Adi 5.142). Āra saba bhṛtya, servant. Even īśvara-tattva, viṣṇu-tattva, they are also working as servant of Kṛṣṇa.

Advaita Ācāryas, just like He's Īśvara, but He's serving as servant of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Therefore ekale īśvara... Na kṛṣṇāt caitanyāt para-tattvam param iha. They're... Above Kṛṣṇa, above Caitanya Mahāprabhu, there is no more para-tattva. Param iha. It is the Supreme.

So in this way we have to study īśvara-tattva, then śakti-tattva, jīva-tattva. That is knowledge; that is education.

Not whimsically suggesting something and talking foolishly and... Athāpi te deva padāmbuja dvaya prasāda-leśānugṛhīta eva hi jānāti tattvam (SB 10.14.29). If you want to know the truth, then you have to follow these principles, how to know īśvara-tattva.

And how to know? Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum eva abhigacchet (MU 1.2.12). Then you have to go, approach the bona fide guru. He will let you know." (CC Adi-lila 1.12, Mayapur, April 5, 1975)

Advaita Ācārya is īśvara-tattva. He's not śakti-tattva. He's īśvara-tattva. And we are all śakti-tattva; therefore there is difference.

Srila Prabhupada - "As Caitanya-caritāmṛta Kar is explaining, we have to follow this principle. Then if you are really inquisitive to learn the Absolute Truth, they will explain, as here it is explained that here Advaita Ācārya is īśvara, He's incarnation of Mahā-Viṣṇu.

Sometimes Advaita Ācārya is called Sadāśiva avatāra. The Sadāśiva is also expansion of Mahā-Viṣṇu. So either way you say, incarnation of Sadāśiva or Mahā-Viṣṇu, it doesn't matter.

But Advaita Ācārya is īśvara-tattva. He's not śakti-tattva. He's īśvara-tattva. And we are all śakti-tattva; therefore there is difference. Śakti-śaktimān.

Although there is no difference abhinna, but still, śakti-tattva is superior, er, śaktimān tattva is superior than śakti-tattva.

So in this way try to understand Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Nityānanda Prabhu, Advaita Prabhu, and Gadādhara and Śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda. And... But they are so kind because they have come to deliver the fallen souls." (CC Adi-lila 1.12, Mayapur, April 5, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada - "So Nityānanda Prabhu is the immediate expansion of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared here at Māyāpur, this very place where you are now sitting, with all these five features:

Nityānanda Prabhu, Śrī Advaita Prabhu, and Gadādhara Prabhu, Śrīnivāsa Prabhu.

So He Himself, Kṛṣṇa, and Nityānanda Prabhu is immediate expansion of His personal self;

Advaita Prabhu is incarnation of Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu, Mahāviṣṇu, three,

Gadādhara Prabhu is the expansion of spiritual energy,

Śrīnivāsa Prabhu is the expansion of His marginal potency, marginal energy, jīva-tattya. Jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva, prakāśa-tattva, and avatāra-tattva, and He Himself. This Pañca-tattva.

This Pañca-tattva will be explained in this chapter. That is the proposal of the author. Guru-tattva kahiyāchi ebe pāñcera vicāra.

Consideration of the five. So although the Absolute Truth is one, He expands in His various features. That has been divided in Caitanya Mahāprabhu's practical exposition of tattva-vicāra, in six: five personal, and the guru is also representative." (CC Adi-lila 7.3, Mayapur, March 3, 1974)

Srila Prabhupada - "Bhagavān means His paraphernalia. Just like when we speak, "Now the king is coming," it is not that king is alone coming. The king is coming with his minister, with his commander, with his secretaries, with his so many officers.

So when we speak of Bhagavān, don't think He is alone only. No. Pañca..., that Pañca-tattva. When Bhagavān incarnates, He comes with all the associates, His śakti-tattva, avatāra-tattva, prakāśa-tattva.

Many paraphernalia He comes. So here Caitanya Mahāprabhu, avatīrṇa. Here it is said, pañca-tattva avatīrṇa caitanyera saṅge (CC Adi 7.4). Caitanyera-saṅge... Caitanya Mahāprabhu is Kṛṣṇa Himself. So He must have His associates. Associates. That is Bhagavān." (CC Adi-lila 7.4, Mayapur, March 4, 1974)

The Absolute Truth is one, but there are categories: "This is śakti-tattva; this is prakāśa-tattva; this is incarnation tattva; this is marginal potency; this is external potency."

Srila Prabhupada - "So here it is said, eka-vastu. So far the substance is concerned, that is eka-vastu. Just like in logical categories the substance is there, and there are many categories. Take for example that the Absolute Truth is one, but there are categories:

"This is śakti-tattva; this is prakāśa-tattva; this is incarnation tattva; this is marginal potency; this is external potency." Parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate (Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport).

There are many multipotencies. Because the original is Absolute Truth, in one sense everyone is in the same absolute platform. In the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam there is a verse, idaṁ hi viśvaṁ bhagavān ivetaraḥ:

"This viśva, the whole cosmic manifestation, is Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

Just like Kṛṣṇa manifested His universal form. So every part and parcel is Bhagavān, but still, it is different. This is the philosophy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu's acintya-bhedābheda: simultaneously one and different, inconceivable.

We cannot conceive at the present moment how one thing can be the same, at the same time different; therefore it is called acintya, inconceivable. But bhedābheda... Just like we are—everything—you study. It is acintya-bhedābheda, one and different." (CC Adi-lila 7.5, Mayapur, March 7, 1974)

The jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva, viṣṇu-tattva, these are all tattvas. So Pañca-tattva. Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the supreme tattva, Kṛṣṇa.

Srila Prabhupada - "We are living in air, but if I think that air and the water is the same, I jump over the ocean, that is not very good idea. But actually, air is also Kṛṣṇa, water is also Kṛṣṇa, earth is also Kṛṣṇa, fire is also Kṛṣṇa, because they are all Kṛṣṇa's energy.

So in this way, if we try to understand that Pañca-tattva, śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu-nityānanda, śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda... This is Pañca-tattva: Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya, Śrī Nityānanda, Śrī Advaita, Śrī Gadādhara, and Śrīvāsādi. Śrīvāsādi means jīva-tattva.

The jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva, viṣṇu-tattva, these are all tattvas. So Pañca-tattva. Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the supreme tattva, Kṛṣṇa. Śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya, rādhā-kṛṣṇa nahe anya. We are worshiping Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. So Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa combined." (CC Adi-lila 7.5, Mayapur, March 7, 1974)

Srila Prabhupada - "Now, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that "Jīva-tattva, the living entities, they are never the energetic; they are energy." Energetic and energy. So how it is so?

The evidence is from Bhāgavata, Viṣṇu Purāṇa and Bhagavad-gītā. Because one has to give evidence. How do you say that jīva-tattva, the living entities, they are not the Supreme?

Caitanya Mahāprabhu sa..., they are not su... Not to say, I mean to say, speak of Supreme, they are not even of the same category. Because there are different categories.

Viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva and śakti-tattva—there are so many categories. So He says that "Jīva, the living entities, they are in the categories of energy.

They are not energetic." Energetic and energy, you should try to understand. Just like the fire, fire and its heat. Heat is the energy, and the fire is the energetic.

Similarly, the Supreme Lord, He is the energetic, Supreme Person, and we, the living entities, we are energy." (Lecture on CC Adi- 7.113-17, San Francisco, Feb 22, 1967)

The viṣṇu-tattvas are known as puruṣa-tattva, whereas the jīva-tattva is known as śakti-tattva.

Srila Prabhupada - "The viṣṇu-tattva is called svāṁśa. There is no difference between one viṣṇu-tattva to another. Just like (indistinct) Rāmacandra, He is viṣṇu-tattva. Nārāyaṇa, viṣṇu-tattva. Balarāma, viṣṇu-tattva.

So there is no difference in power. They are called svāṁśa, svāṁśa-vistṛra. And there are other vistṛra. That is called vibhinnāṁśa vistṛra, separated part and parcel.

We are, we the jīvas, we are also expansion of Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu. But we are a small, separated part and parcel, whereas viṣṇu-tattva expansion, They are full in power.

The viṣṇu-tattvas are known as puruṣa-tattva, whereas the jīva-tattva is known as śakti-tattva.

Jīva-tattva, as the Māyāvādī philosophers, they think that jīva-tattva can be God or jīva can become God. That is a false theory. It has no value according to Vedic scripture". (Speech at Gaudiya Math Center, Visakhapatnam, February 19, 1972)

So we are śakti-tattva. We are not śaktimān-tattva. It is not corroborated. One who thinks that "I am God," śaktimān-tattva, that is false. We are śakti-tattva. Śaktimān means the powerful, one who possesses the power, and śakti means the power or energy.

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa says that there are many manifestations of the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu. Just like candles, there are many candles, each candle has got the illuminating power. Similarly, eko bahu syām.

Viṣṇu expands Himself in many, many millions of forms. Those forms are called svāṁśa and vibhinnāṁśa. Svāṁśa, personal expansions, and separated expansions.

The separated expansions are we, we living entities. As it is stated in the Bhagavad gītā, mamaivāṁso jīva bhūta (BG 15.7).

So we are also expansions of Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, but we are separated. Means we are not personal expansions.

The personal expansions is called Viṣṇu-tattva, and the separated expansion is called jīva-tattva.

Viṣṇu is śaktimān, and we are śakti. That is also stated in the Bhagavad-gītā:

apareyam itas tu viddhi
me prakṛti parām
jīva-bhutāṁ mahā-baho
yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat
(BG 7.5)

So we are śakti-tattva. We are not śaktimān-tattva. It is not corroborated.

One who thinks that "I am God," śaktimān-tattva, that is false. We are śakti-tattva. Śaktimān means the powerful, one who possesses the power.

And śakti means the power or energy." (Bombay, March 19, 1972)

This is our position: jīva is śakti-tattva and bhagavān is śaktimān-tattva. But śakti, śaktimān abheda, there is no difference.

Srila Prabhupada - "If you feel heat, it does not mean that you're touching the fire or that you are being burned. So simultaneously one and different. This philosophy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, acintya-bhedābheda-tattva-

Simultaneously, inconceivable one and different.

That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy, Vaiṣṇava philosophy. We are neither different nor one, simultaneously, and therefore it is called inconceivable, acintya.

In our material conception we cannot think that one thing may be simultaneously one with another and different from another. So this is our position: jīva is śakti-tattva and bhagavān is śaktimān-tattva.

But śakti, śaktimān abheda, there is no difference. There are many other examples. Just like the sun and sunlight. Sunlight is not different from the sun, and still the sunlight is not the sun." (Bombay, March 19, 1972)

The more you discuss the thesis—not thesis; the factual presentation of Viṣṇu-tattva, māyā, and jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva—then it will be clear what is Kṛṣṇa.

Srila Prabhupada - "So Viṣṇu-tattva, worshipable, or Kṛṣṇa-tattva, worshipable. And to pin our staunch faith in Viṣṇu, we should discuss about Viṣṇu-tattva and who is not Viṣṇu-tattva. That is called siddhānta. Siddhānta boliyā citte nā kara alasa-

"Don't be lazy to discuss about siddhānta." Ihā haite kṛṣṇe lāge sudṛḍha mānasa-

"The more you discuss the thesis—not thesis; the factual presentation of Viṣṇu-tattva, māyā, and jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva—then it will be clear what is Kṛṣṇa."

Kṛṣṇa is the origin of everything. Ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate (BG 10.8). We should try to understand this fact, that Kṛṣṇa is the origin of everything, and if we take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness... Kṛṣṇe bhakti kaile sarva-karma kṛta haya.

If you become Kṛṣṇa conscious, then your all other duties automatically... The same example, as we have given: If you pour water on the root of the tree, then all other duties are automatically done." (Allahabad, January 15, 1977)

So devatās, they are śakti-tattva, śakti category, the same category as you are.

Srila Prabhupada - "So Rāma... Bhagavān has different forms: rāmādi-mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan (Bs. 5.39). Bhagavān (Hindi)"

Guest - "That's good. So that explains..."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Viṣṇu-tattva. That is called Viṣṇu-tattva."

Guest - "In that expansion can't we take Durgā and Siva, even for..."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes, that is śakti-tattva. We have to take expansion according to the tattva. Substance and categories; in which category. The substance is Viṣṇu, and all other tattvas are categories. So devatās, they are śakti-tattva, śakti category, the same category as you are. The same example.

Just like here a government officer, he is also Indian gentleman, you are also Indian gentleman, but he has got his power on account of his high qualities. Similarly you can become also Durgā. You can become Indra, Candra, Sūrya. So qualitatively the ant, you are a learned brāhmaṇa, they are all the same category." (Nov 11, 1971, New Delhi)

Devī is śakti-tattva. Jīva is also śakti-tattva. In one sense jīva-tattva is higher than this material śakti-tattva.

Srila Prabhupāda - "A paṇḍita knows that they are on the same jīva-tattva categories. Viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva, there are many tattvas. Brahman-tattva, paramātmā-tattva, and Bhagavat-tattva, they are the substance, and all other tattvas, they are jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva, like that. 

So Bhagavān is not jīva-tattva, but others, they are jīva-tattva. Demigods, they are jīva-tattva. Brahma is also jīva-tattva. 

ĺDevī is śakti-tattva. Jīva is also śakti-tattva. In one sense jīva-tattva is higher than this material śakti-tattva." (Room Conversation, November 11, 1971, New Delhi)

The same śakti. Cit-śakti. Bhagavān ke pleasure potency. Śakti, śakti-tattva. So Śaktimān. Bhagavān is Śaktimān, and that śakti is Rādhārāṇī or Sītā or Lakṣmī. Durgā is also śakti, another feature of Rādhārāṇī.

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes, Rāma is another... There is no difference between Rāma and Kṛṣṇa. If you like...

Guest - "The form comes different in the..."

Srila Prabhupada - "Yes, but they are the same. Rāmādi mūrti".

Guest - "For purpose of practice I am asking, when you chant Rāma, should you have the form of Rāma before you?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "That depends on your affection. Bhagavān has got many forms. If you want, if you love Rāma, that's all right. If you love Kṛṣṇa, that is all right. If you love Nārāyaṇa, that is also all right. But Bhagavān mūrti, rāmādi-mūrtiṣu".

Guest - "Along with Rādhe? (Hindi) (laughter)"

Srila Prabhupāda - "That is incongruency. Rāma with Sītā."

Guest - "Along with..."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Huh?"

Guest - "Kṛṣṇa along with Rādhikā."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa with Rādhārāṇī."

Guest - "Then what is Rādhā category?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "The same śakti. Cit-śakti. Bhagavān ke pleasure potency. Śakti, śakti-tattva. So Śaktimān. Bhagavān is Śaktimān, and that śakti is Rādhārāṇī or Sītā or Lakṣmī. Durgā is also śakti, another feature of Rādhārāṇī."

Guest - "Śakti in original is Rādhā?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes. Parāsya śaktih..., parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate." (CC. Madhya 13.65, purport).

Srila Prabhupada - "Originally cit-śakti. That cit-śakti is expanding. Just like we are..., rāmādi mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan (Bs. 5.39). Kalā means part and parcel.

So we are also part and parcel, but we are very small part and parcel. But rāmādi mūrti, they are bigger part and parcel. Just like if you throw one brick on the floor, so there will be so many small particles, big particles, this particle, that.

They are all part and parcel of the brick, but one part very small atomic part, and one big part, this part, this part, then this part, then this part. So all, Kṛṣṇa is the origin, and everyone is part and parcel. Some of them are bigger and some of them are smaller. So Viṣṇu-tattva is almost like Kṛṣṇa." (Nov 11, 1971, New Delhi).

Some of them are Viṣṇu-tattva, some of them are jīva-tattva, some of them are sakti-tattva and some of them para-tattva.

Guest - "Śakti in original is Rādhā?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "Yes. Parāsya śaktih..., parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate (Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport). Originally cit-śakti. That cit-śakti is expanding. Just like we are..., rāmādi mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan (Bs. 5.39). Kalā means part and parcel. So we are also part and parcel, but we are very small part and parcel.

But rāmādi mūrti, they are bigger part and parcel. Just like if you throw one brick on the floor, so there will be so many small particles, big particles, this particle, that.

They are all part and parcel of the brick, but one part very small atomic part, and one big part, this part, this part, then this part, then this part. So all, Kṛṣṇa is the origin, and everyone is part and parcel. Some of them are bigger and some of them are smaller. So Viṣṇu-tattva is almost like Kṛṣṇa."

Guest - "Like Kṛṣṇa."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Others, they are very small. So according to the size, or according to the power..."

Guest - "Power."

Srila Prabhupāda - "The part and parcel exercises his position. Some of them are Viṣṇu-tattva, some of them are Jīva-tattva, some of them are Śakti-tattva and some of them para-tattva. Like that."

Guest - "Para-tattva?"

Srila Prabhupada - "Para tattva."

Guest - "Means?"

Srila Prabhupāda - "Para-tattva is Bhagavān. Para-tattva means Kṛṣṇa, Rāma, Nārāyaṇa, Viṣṇu. These are para tattva.

Bhagavān avatāra,
rāmā,
nṛsiṁha,
varāha,
kūrma,
vāmana,
daśāvatāra,
all avatāra.

Or śakti-tattva, material energy, aparā-tattva, matter. Similarly cit-tattva, spiritual world.

The living entities, although they are in the material world, they belong to the spiritual world. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, apareyam. 

This material energy is inferior. Itas viddhi me prakṛtiṁ parām. Beyond this there is another, superior energy, jīva-bhūta, that is jīva." (Nov 11, 1971, New Delhi)

And only śakti-tattva, Gadādhara and Śrīvāsa. And other three, they are śaktimān-tattva.

Srila Prabhupāda - "Śakti also can be taken as tattva."

Indian man (2) - "As tattva, yes. And these tattvas, Pañca-tattvas, have been described as śaktis. These Pañca-tattvas also have been described as śakti."

Srila Prabhupāda - "But Caitanya Mahaprabhu as śaktimān, and others..."

Indian man (2) - "As śakti."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Not all śakti; two Pañca-tattva. Īśāvatāra, tat-prakāśa(?) avatāra, they are not śakti. They are all the śaktimān."

Indian man (2) - "Yes, yes."

Srila Prabhupāda - "And only śakti-tattva, Gadādhara and Śrīvāsa. And other three, they are śaktimān-tattva."

Indian man (2) - "They are śaktimān-tattva."

Srila Prabhupāda - "Pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ bhakta...(Room Conversation with Gaurachand Gosvami At the Radha-Damodara Temple."(Mostly in Bengali), March 11, 1972, Vrndavana)

Srila Prabhupāda - "So He is existing with all the incarnations, rāmādi-mūrtiṣu. So Rāma is not less than Kṛṣṇa, but He is incarnation. This is the conclusion."

Indian man - "Because I was trying to refer to Govindāṣṭakam, Where it says, (sings) śrī kṛṣṇa rādhā āra gokuleśa gopāla govardhana-nātha viṣṇu, jīveti amṛtamedhadevo govindaṁ dāmodaram ada vetti(?)

He's saying, śrī kṛṣṇa rādhā āra gokuleśa gopāla govardhana-nātha viṣṇu. That is what I was trying to see that is really... I know that say Kṛṣṇa's expansion is Mahā-Viṣṇu, but still, why do they say govardhana-nātha viṣṇu? That I was trying to understand. Please don't misunderstand me."

Srila Prabhupāda - "No, no, Govardhana... Every one is viṣṇu-tattva. Viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva, śakti-tattva, like that. So all of them on the Viṣṇu category. That's all.

Viṣṇu-tayā vibhāti. Viṣṇu-tayā vibhāti. Dīpārcir eva hi daśāntaram abhyupetya dīpāyate viṣṇu-tayā vibhāti (Bs. 5.46).

These things are there. So Godhead is viṣṇu-tattva. So sometimes Viṣṇu, sometimes Nārāyaṇa, sometimes Govinda, sometimes Kṛṣṇa, like that." (July 17, 1976, NY City)

The sakti tattva, or jiva tattva is always enjoyed. Our position is always predominated. If we remain in that position and properly use our small independence, then we remain happily eternally.

Srila Prabhupada - "Regarding your question, "What does Rama mean in Hare Rama? Is this Balarama or Lord Ramacandra?", you can take it both ways, because there is no difference between Ramacandra and Balarama.

Generally it means Krsna, because Rama means enjoyer.

So either Ramacandra, Balarama or Krsna are all Visnu Tattvas and are always enjoying. The sakti tattva, or jiva tattva is always enjoyed. Our position is always predominated.

If we remain in that position and properly use our small independence, then we remain happily eternally. But artificially, if we want to be independent and imitate the Supreme Enjoyer, then it is delusion.

Material life means trying to imitate the Enjoyer, and spiritual life means to remain in one's eternal position as enjoyed.

This Hare Krsna Mantra is addressed to the energy of the Lord and the Lord Himself to keep the chanter in his eternal position of being enjoyed.

The prayer is "My Lord, Oh the Spiritual Energy of the Lord, kindly keep me engaged in Your service." Regarding your other question, Krsna in His four-handed Visnu Form is within our hearts, but He is not different from two-handed Krsna". (Letter to Arundhati, Hamburg 9 September, 1969)

All personalities or living entities are Sakti-tattva however, the Visnu-sakti-tattva Personalities but the jiva-tattva and Visnu-tattva expansions of Sakti-tattva are very different.  

The jiva-tattvas only have 78.125% of Krsna's qualities, where as the more direct expansions of Krsna have 93.75% of Krsna's qualities.

The Visnu-sakti-tattvas are DIRECT expansions of Krsna, just like the Visnu-tattva expansions are, while the jiva-tattvas (marginal living entities) are MINOR independent expansions of Krsna.

Visnu-sakti-tattvas are eternally occupied with their Krsna conscious service to the Lord, such expansions have only the desire to please Krsna or His other Visnu expansion, they can never be covered by Maya and their concept of free will and independence is only to please Krsna or Visnu as they ARE direct expansions of Godhead, as said above, they ARE Krsna playing a different role in His own unlimited pastimes.

Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana are made up of many sakti-tattvas and Visnu-tattvas expansions such as gopis, gopas and many, many others.

There is also jiva-tattvas playing many roles too in Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrndavana as well, just like the Visnu-sakti-tattva are, but they are jiva-tattva also in many roles.

In Goloka Vrindavana, no one knows who is who, who is jiva-tattva, who is Visnu-sakti-tattva or who is Visnu-tattva, they do not even know this little boy Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the cause of ALL causes, nor do they care.

As already explained, Visnu-sakti-tattva, like Visnu-tattva expansions, can never fall down because they are one of Krsna's many unlimited personalities. 

Krsna is the ORIGINAL Form of God from whom ALL His Visnu and Narayana Visnu-tattva forms expand from.

This means the only difference between Srimati Radharani and Krsna, and Lord Balarama and Krsna, is Lord Krsna IS first and the original Supreme Personality of Godhead and cause of all causes.

Krsna also has 4 MORE qualities than both Radharani (Visnu-sakti-tattva expansion) and Balarama (Visnu-tattva expansion) explained below.

Therefore, not even Srimati Radharani, Krsna's eternal consort, or Balarama, Krsna's older brother, have those 64 unique qualities in full like Krsna has, as explained above, they ONLY have 60 of Krsna's 64 qualities which 93.75% of Krsna's 100%.

Let's make this easy to understanding -

Lord Krsna has 64 qualities which is "exactly" 100% of those unique set qualities.

1 - Visnu-tattva has 60 qualities or "exactly" 93.75%

2 Visnu-sakti-tattva 60 qualities or "exactly" 93.75%.

3 - Siva-tattva has 54 qualities or "exactly" 84.375%.

4 - Jiva-tattva has 50 qualities or "exactly" 78.125%.

Also the jiva-tattvas 78.125% of Krsna's qualities, can NEVER become Visnu-sakti-tattva or Visnu-tattvas who have 93.75% of Krsna's qualities.

And jiva-tattvas can never lose their separate individual unique sense of independence self from Krsna either, even though technically all living entities are "Sakti-tattva" expansions of Krsna that are fully dependent on Krsna like the sun-rays are expansions from the Sun-disc.

Even though being parts and parcel of the Lord, the jivatma or jiva-tattva souls still has "their own" sense of being an separate independent free thinking individual from Krsna.

Srila Prabhupada - ''The words bṛhate namas te have been explained by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura: bṛhate śrī-kṛṣṇāya. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is Kṛṣṇa the maintainer of all and cause of all causes. We are "separate and none separate" from Krishna simultaneously. There are many tattvas, such as viṣṇu-tattva, jīva-tattva and śakti-tattva, but above everything is the viṣṇu-tattva, which is all-pervading.

This all-pervading feature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is explained in Bhagavad-gītā (10.42), wherein the Lord says:

athavā bahunaitena

kiṁ jñātena tavārjuna

viṣṭabhyāham idaṁ kṛtsnam

ekāṁśena sthito jagat

"But what need is there, Arjuna, for all this detailed knowledge? With a single fragment of Myself I pervade and support this entire universe."

Thus Kṛṣṇa says that the entire material world is maintained by His partial representation as Paramātmā. 

The Lord enters every universe as Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu and then expands Himself as Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu to enter the hearts of all living entities and even enter the atoms.

Aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham (Bs. 5.35). Every universe is full of atoms, and the Lord is not only within the universe but also within the atoms.

Thus within every atom the Supreme Lord exists in His Viṣṇu feature as Paramātmā, but all the viṣṇu-tattvas emanate from Kṛṣṇa.

As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (10.2), aham ādir hi devānām: Kṛṣṇa is the ādi, or beginning, of the devas of this material world—Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Maheśvara. Therefore He is described here as bhagavate bṛhate. (Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 8 Chapter 3 text 17)

The jiva-tattva souls have 78.125% of Krsna's qualities and are called the ''marginal energy.

The jiva-tattva soul is different from direct expansion of the Lord like the Visnu-sakti-tattvas and Vishnu tattvas. However, all can play the part of gopis, cowherd boys in Krsna lila.

Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana have so many expansions of Krsna that it is mind boggling. The jiva-tattva can play the role of a gopa or gopi like a Visnu-sakti-tattva and Visnu-tattva but NEVER be Visnu-sakti-tattva or Visnu-tattva who are Krsna Himself expanded as multiple personalities.

The jiva-tattvas can ALWAYS choose in Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrindavan, and play many roles including Brahma however, the marginal living entity ALWAYS remains jiva-tattva and can NEVER become God (Visnu-tattva)

The jiva-tattvas, unlike Visnu-sakti-tattva and Visnu-tattvas, can 'choose' to forget Krsna if they desire and enter the mahat tattva or material creation of Maha Visnu as nitya baddha and think they are an independent god. 

Visnu-tattvas and Visnu-sakti-tattva do not do that because they ARE direct expansion of Krsna and only carry out the will of God.

Our eternal constitution position and eternal spiritual body is already there in Vaikuntha waiting for us to wake up from this temporary material dream and return back home back to Godhead.

Just like Jaya and Vijaya's eternal position as gatekeepers of Vaikuntha is always there waiting for their return from falling down into the material creation.

In Vaikuntha there is no concept of past and future time, only the ''individual awareness" of the "eternal presence'' of Krsna and being a dependent unique person and sense of the "self" that eternally exists there in Vaikuntha and Goloka-Vrindavana.

This is how we know all the universe is not ''all-one" with an all pervading consciousness that plays out different roles while contained in different material bodily vessels.

Except for Krsna and His unlimited direct Visnu-tattva and Visnu-Sakti-tattvas expansions, we are all individual jiva-tattva soul expansions with our own unique sense of self and personality.

Therefore we never lose our independence and sense of self as an individual identity of being a "person"

Even a blade of grass, leaf, tree, clouds, rain drops, grains of sand and dirt or chair is a Person in Goloka.

Everything there is alive!

Of course in the material world our individuality becomes covered by many different species of material bodies but underneath it all the jiva-soul is there as an individual person.

Therefore it is very important we understand we have a "sense of independence and individuality as jiva-souls". And this is what "marginal" means, that makes us the unique individual "persons" we eternally are.

To say you can never leave Goloka once there is true for most but not all because we can choose to miss use our free will. Without having that choice, Prabhupada says we are no better than dead stone that would not be able to give love or receive love.

And yes, many devotees have found this subject’s true meaning in Sastra very difficult to understand and therefore call it inconceivable rather than attempting to understand it, or believe others understand it.

Like making "choices" (that allows one to increase their “unique” individual expression of love for Krsna) is always with the marginal living entity even in Vaikuntha, and to take that ability (the sense of self) away from the marginal living entity in Vaikuntha, the jiva-tattva soul loses the individual ability to “give and accept love”.

This is because without free will we lose our sense of independence as a person of having a unique separate identity from all of other individual jiva-souls (tattva), Visnu-tattvas, and Krsna Himself. These are important points to understand.

We, the jiva-tattva souls are independent thinking souls eternally but simultaneously part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Krsna the cause of all causes meant to please the Lord as the unique “persons”.

Therefore, no one can force the jiva-soul to stay in Vaikuntha, that choice MUST be eternally yours (the jivat-soul)

Only Visnu-tattvas and Visnu-sakti-tattvas never fall down from Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana because they ARE direct expansions of Krsna, playing different roles in Krsna's pastimes and have 93.75% of Krsna’s qualities (60 out of Krsna's 64 qualities) making them direct full expansions of Krsna Himself.

Some Visnu-sakti-tattvas are gopis including Radharani, gopas, parents, lovers etc many, many different personalities.

Krsna’s brother Balarama is Visnu-tattva, Srimati Radharani is Visnu-sakti-tattva expansion of Krsna, and many others are too, playing different parts in Krsna Lila.

Just like in Lord Caitanya’s pastimes where many are Visnu-tattvas and Visnu-sakti-tattvas playing many of His devotees.

It is ONLY these residents of Vrindavana who NEVER fall down into forgetfulness.

And the fact is, more than 90% of jiva-tattva souls also “choose” to stay in Vaikuntha and NEVER fall down, which means entering the material creation seeking selfish desires.

All jiva-souls have only 78.125% of Krsna’s qualities (50 out of Krsna's 64 qualities) and can choose to leave Vaikuntha if they choose.

To be in Vaikuntha does not always guarantee you will stay there forever and never enter the material world again.

Although as already explained 90% never choose to forget Krsna because that is their desire and expression of free will, sadly some jiva-souls DO choose to leave or fall from Vaikuntha however, Prabhupada explains it is only a very small minority who foolishly make that choice, less than 10%.

Dr. John Mize – “Did all the souls that were in the spiritual sky fall out of the spiritual sky at once or at different times, or are there any souls that are always good, they’re not foolish, they don’t fall down?”

Srila Prabhupada – “No, there are majority, 90%, they are always good. They never fall down”. (Los Angeles, June 23, 1975)

Let's clear one thing up, falling into the material world has absolutely nothing to do with maya or the material energy because maya does not and can not exist in Vaikuntha.

The jiva-souls do not even know Maya or the material energy exists, however, they do have "free will and the ability to choose" and are aware that this quality is “eternally” part and parcel of the jiva-tattva’s makeup and exists in Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana.

We do not lose our independence and sense of individual identity once we enter Vaikuntha, we are eternally independent living entities even in Vaikuntha.

However, we always depend of Krsna in Vaikuntha, or His many Visnu-tattva expansions like Maha Visnu and Garbhodakashayi Visnu who provide all facilities in the material creation. 

We can never be truly independent because everything, all that is, belongs to Krsna. In other words we are always independent living entities but always depend on Krsna for our existence, just like the sun-rays cannot exist without the Sun-disc.

The fact is because we CAN "choose to be with Krsna or reject Him", then there can be increasing endeavors of loving exchange and reciprocation due to “choice”.

This is one of the reasons why the material universe was created - to give "reality" to that choice of rejecting and forgetting Krsna, just so the living entity can go to another place outside Vaikuntha and try to enjoy life without being Krsna conscious.

The marginal living entity or jiva-tattva souls MUST have that free will to choose to be with Krsna, or not be with Krsna if they want, instead of just being in Vaikuntha without having no choice or free will at all as some believe.

Such mentality that denies free will is actually impersonalism.

The point made here is the position of the jiva-tattva soul in Vaikuntha must be voluntary. Who you love and who you choose to serve MUST be voluntary.

Many cannot understand these facts about the importance of free will, individuality, identity and the sense of self worth of being a unique person who can give selfless ever increasing love or service in their own way to Krsna.

These qualities are based on the importance of the individual's ability to have "choices" within their experiences as a individual person.

Once again to be truly free there must be the choice of Vaikuntha or its so called opposite where Krsna can be forgotten, the "material creation"

Without the jiva-tattva souls being able to choose Krsna or not there can never be love, Prabhupada has said to force love is called rape.

Srila Prabhupada - ''So, even in the Vaikuntha, if I desire that ‘Why shall I serve Krsna? Why not become Krsna?’ I immediately fall down. That is natural. A servant is serving the master, but sometimes he may think that, “If I could become the master.” They are thinking like that; they are trying to become God. That is delusion. You cannot become God. That is not possible. But he’s wrongly thinking”.

Vipina Purandara - “Why doesn’t Krsna protect us from that desire?

Srila Prabhupada - “He’s protecting. He says, “You rascal, don’t desire. Surrender unto Me.” But you are rascal; you do not do this”.

Vipina Purandara - “Why doesn’t He save me from thinking like that? ”

Srila Prabhupada - “That means you lose your independence. That is force, in Bengali it is said, ‘If you catch one girl or boy, ‘You love me, you love me, you love me.’ ” Is it love? “You love me, otherwise I will kill you!’ Is that love? So Krsna does not want to become a lover like that, on the point of revolver. ‘You love me, otherwise I shall kill you!’ That is not love; that is threatening. Love is reciprocal, voluntary, good exchange of feeling. Then there is love. Not by force; that is rape. Why one is called lover, another is called rape?” (July 8, 1976 in Washington, D.C.)

It takes only free will to live separately from Krsna and this choice has nothing to do with maya or material energy as explained above - it is simple free will that allows us to be a independent person and enter the material creation too.

To do that one is given material bodies, a subtle and gross body that covers the spiritual form. In the material world, the jiva-soul has to put up with the gross material body always being in a state of decay and then eventually being forced to take another gross material body.

Also once in the material creation, you're on your own terms, you are responsible therefore karma begins as soon as you leave Vaikuntha.

No jiva-souls originate from the dormant Brahmajyoti ot Brahman. Jiva sous often fall to impersonal Brahman or Brahmajyoti, but NEVER did the jiva-souls originate from the impersonal Brahmajyoti as Srila Prabhupada tells us.

Srila Prabhupada - ''The next question, about the living entities falling down in this material world are not from the impersonal brahman. Existence in the impersonal brahman is also within the category of non-Krsna consciousness.Those who are in the brahman effulgence they are also in the fallen condition, so there is no question of falling down from a fallen condition. When fall takes place, it means falling down from the non-fallen condition. The non-fallen condition is Krsna consciousness. So long one can maintain pure Krsna consciousness he is not fallen down. As soon as he becomes out of Krsna consciousness immediately he is fallen down’’. (Letter to: Revatinandana, Los Angeles 13 June, 1970)

Srila Prabhupada - “We have also come down from Vaikuntha some millions and millions of years ago.” - (Lecture on Bhagavad-gita on August 6, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - ''These spirit souls and all spirit souls are coming from Vaikuntha”. (Letter to Jagadisa das, 1970)

Srila Prabhupada - “As living spiritual souls we are all originally Krsna conscious entities, but due to our association with matter from time immemorial, our consciousness has now become polluted by the material atmosphere.” (Original Hare Krsna "Happening record album" New York City, December 1966)

Srila Prabhupada - ” So, even in the Vaikuntha, if I desire that ‘Why shall I serve Krsna? Why not become Krsna?’ I immediately fall down.” (July 8, 1976 in Washington, D.C.)

Srila Prabhupada - ''The actual constitutional position of every living entity is nitya-siddha, because God is eternal and His part and parcels, the living entities, they are also eternal. So that is nitya-siddha. Nitya-siddha, sädhana-siddha, krpa-siddha-there are different grades. They are all described in The Nectar of Devotion. So one can become sadhana-siddha. (Caitanya-caritamrta, July 13, 1976)

Srila Prabhupada - ''By following the rules and regulations and instructions of the spiritual master, he can also become siddha. He can become AGAIN nitya-siddha. So the Krsna consciousness movement is to make the nitya-baddhas AGAIN nitya-siddha, to bring them. It is a difficult task'' - (New York lecture on Caitanya-caritamrta, July 13, 1976)

Srila Prabhupada - 'This material world is created by the dreaming of Mahā-Viṣṇu. The real, factual platform is the spiritual world, but when the spirit soul wants to imitate the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he is put into this dreamland of material creation”. (SB 4.29.83 Purport)

Once, an Indian political leader, Syamasundara Chakravarti, asked Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura Prabhupada.

“Why has the Lord granted such freedom to the jiva-soul?”

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta told him-

“You are fighting for freedom. Don’t you know the value of freedom? Devoid of freedom, the soul is only matter.”

Freedom offers us the alternative to do right or wrong. Once, Gandhi told the British authorities, ”We want freedom.” 

They replied, “You are not fit to have self-government. When you are fit, we shall give it to you.” 

But Ghandi told them bluntly, “We want the freedom to do wrong.” 

So, freedom does not guarantee only acting in the right way; freedom has its value independent of right and wrong.

Free will is only absolute with the Absolute Truth. Because we are finite our free will is infinitesimal. The possibility of committing a mistake is there. 

Our first choice was to dominate and so, gradually we have entered the world of domination. As a result of this first action, everything else has developed.

So, in different ranks the species have been divided from the demigods down to the trees and stones. And watery bodies, gaseous bodies, anything that we find here has evolved in that way. 

The activating principle in any form of embryological development is the soul, and from the soul, everything has evolved.” (End of quote)

Srila Prabhupada makes our "original position" with Krsna very clear.

And yes, maya cannot be blamed for our fall down from Vaikuntha in any way because She, in her role as the personification of material energy, does NOT exist in Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana, nothing material can exist there.

But free will does and always will exist in Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana. Therefore "we" are responsible for our choices and actions.

Srila Prabhupada on the other hand chose to come here to serve Krsna's plan to attract the fallen souls in the material universe back home back to Godhead.

Many devotees also come here to preach Krsna Consciousness.

There are three ways the jiva-souls can come here to the material creation.

1 - As a devotee who preaches God Consciousness.

2 - As a devotee who plays the part as a great demon like Jai and Vijayi the gatekeepers of Vaikuntha.

3 - And those who "choose" to just forget and give up Krsna's association and do their own thing in the material creation.

Also one can never have material desires in Vaikuntha because Maya does NOT exist there.

Maya cannot be blamed for tempting us and causing our fall down from Vaikuntha in any way because She, in her role as the personification of material energy, does NOT exist in Vaikuntha.

Nothing material can exist there.

But ''free will'', ''independence'' and ''individuality'' does and always will exist in Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana.

We therefore leave because of free will and the ability to choose to accept or reject Krsna.

As an individual ''person'' endowed with independent thought and identity, we are able to make such chooses.

What does the majority of people think being a "PERSON" really means after you surrender to Krsna?

1 - Do they think it is becoming some "yes man or women" of Krsna in His Kingdom where one becomes a mindless none thinking denier of the "individual self" who has unique qualities that makes you an individual?

2 - Do they think surrender means we give up our individuality? Sadly, so many have no idea what real "personalism" is which is a word tied to individuality.

The idea of "don't think just do what your told" is impersonalist nonsense because it denies ''you'' to use your own abilities and talents to contribute something unique to your personality that no one else may have.

So no, "you" DO NOT give up your independent individuality and sense of self worth and esteem to be fully surrendered and "dependant" on Krsna, maintaining that giving up individuality is part of surrendering.

In fact in Goloka your individual independence and dependence on Krsna go together side by side increasing simultaneously at the same time and is always expanding in Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana.

It takes spiritual intelligence to understand what real surrender is, and that includes understanding ‘’you’’ are eternally an independent individual person with your own sense of "individual self" separate from all other individual jiva-souls.

Although Krsna always accompanies all jiva-souls as a friend and witness to the jiva-souls individual choices and actions because we are eternally parts and parcels of the Lord.

Please read the above essay again, it explains we are all "unique individual persons" who are endowed with independent qualities allowing one to eternally give "THEIR OWN" best to Krsna.

The jiva-soul is not part of an "all one programmed none thinking impersonal collective" within God's Kingdom, no, that is a description of what hell is like.

Impersonalism means believing that in Vaikuntha we give up our free will, independence and individuality and become part of an "all one collective consciousness"

Living an impersonal existence is to be devoid of individual thought that does not allow personal contributions that makes ''you'', who you really are, as a person, as Krsna's eternal servant, as a unique living entity who can contribute the best of ''their'' individual abilities to Krsna.

On the other hand personalism means the individual jiva-soul must be able to grow and flourish as an independent living being giving their own personal contributions of devotional service to Krsna.

To ''deny'' the jiva-soul's ''individuality'' and ''independent sense of identity'' is the hell "real" Krsna devotees fear.

Many have an impersonalist idea about what Vaikuntha is like and do not even know it. Only when the living entity desires not to be with Krsna do they enter the material world and realize Maya's existences.

Paramahamsa - “But ultimately if we come to Krsna, there’s no return.

Srila Prabhupada - “There is return, that is voluntary. Return there is”.

Paramahamsa - “If we want”.

Srila Prabhupada - “Yes”.

Paramahamsa - “So we can come to the spiritual world and return?”

Srila Prabhupada - “Yes”.

Paramahamsa - “Fall down?”

Srila Prabhupada - “Yes. As soon as we try, “Oh, this material world is very nice,” “Yes,” Krsna says, “yes, you go.” Just like nobody is interested in Krsna consciousness. So, they want to enjoy this material world. Otherwise what is the meaning of free will? Every living entity has got a little free will. And Krsna is so kind, He gives him opportunity, "All right, you enjoy like this." Just like some of our students, Krsna conscious, sometimes go away, again come back. It is free will, not stereotyped. Just like one goes to the prisonhouse, not that government welcomes, "Come on. We have got prisonhouse. Come here, come here." He goes out of his free will; again comes out, again goes. 

Like that. Krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare, nikata-stha maya tare japatiya dhare. The police is there. Just like the police car was there. We have nothing to do with it. But if you do anything criminal, immediately you will be arrested, under police custody. 

The maya may be there, but maya captures him who is not a devotee of Krsna. That’s all. Therefore, mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te: "Anyone who surrenders unto Me, maya does not interfere anymore."

Paramahamsa - ''So our desire to enjoy, we achieve these bodies; and our desire to achieve Krsna brings us to our natural position''.

Srila Prabhupada - ''Yes. (Morning Walk At Cheviot Hills Golf Course--May 13, 1973, Los Angeles)

Therefore "we" are responsible for our choices and actions and in the material creation free will almost does not exist because one is binded by their own reactions to their pious and impious deeds (karma)

Srila Prabhupada – ''Regarding your questions about how and from where did the conditioned souls fall, your first question if someone has a relationship with Lord Krsna on Krsnaloka, does he ever fall down? 

The souls are endowed with minute independence as part of their nature and this minute independence may be utilized rightly or wrongly at anytime, so there is always a chance of falling down by misuse of one’s independence''. (Letter to Jagadisa Prabhu, 4/25/1970.)

Srila Prabhupada – Regarding your several questions: Where are the spirit souls coming from that are taking microbe bodies? It is not a matter of any particular body. These spirit souls and all spirit souls are coming from Vaikuntha, but in these material worlds they are taking various grades of bodies according to their material activities. There is no new soul. New and old' are due to this material body, but the soul is NEVER born and NEVER dies, so if there is no birth, so how there can be new soul?''. (Letter to Jagadisa 7/9/1970)

Srila Prabhupada - “Regarding your questions concerning the spirit souls falling into Maya’s influence, it is not that those who have developed a passive relationship with Krsna are more likely to fall into nescient activities. Usually anyone who has developed his relationship with Krsna does not fall down in any circumstance, but because the independence is always there, the soul may fall down from any position or any relationship by misusing his independence. (Letter to Jagadisa 02/27/1970)

Srila Prabhupada - “The relationship with Krsna is never lost, it is simply forgotten by the influence of maya, so it maybe regained or revived by the process of hearing the Holy Name of Krsna and then the devotee engages himself in the service of the Lord which is his original or constitutional position. The relationship of the living entity with Krsna is eternal as both Krsna and the living entity are eternal; the process is one of revival only, nothing new'' (Letter to Jagadisa 02/27/1970)

Srila Prabhupada - “The answer to your question about the marginal energy is that the jiva soul is always called marginal energy whether he is in the spiritual world or in the material world. There are instances where marginal energy jiva souls have fallen from the spiritual world, just like Jaya and Vijaya. So the potency to fall under the influence of the lower energy is always there. And thus the individual jiva soul is called as Krishna’s marginal energy.” - (Letter to Rayarama, December 2, 1968)

Srila Prabhupada - “Every living being has a particular relationship with the Lord eternally, That is called svarupa. By the process of devotional service, one can revive that svarupa, and that stage is called svarupa-siddhi-perfection of one’s constitutional position. (Bhagavad-Gita as it is, Introduction.)

Srila Prabhupada - “Originally everyone (all marginal living entities) are nitya-siddha which means eternally liberated” (Srimad-Bhagavatam Class 7.9.4- Mayapur, February 18, 1977)

Srila Prabhupada - "So to go to Krishna means you will have to acquire your original, spiritual body. The spiritual body is already there, but we are now covered by this material body". (Germany, June 22, 1974)

Srila Prabhupada – “In the Padma Purana, wherein it is said that there are two kinds of spiritual entities; one is called the jiva, and the other is called the Supreme Lord”. (87th Chapter of Krsna Book, Prayers by the Personified Vedas.)

Full conversation in the heading quotes reveals what Prabhupada means when he says less than 10% fall down Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana.

Dr. John Mize – “Did all the souls that were in the spiritual sky fall out of the spiritual sky at once or at different times, or are there any souls that are always good, they’re not foolish, they don’t fall down?

Srila Prabhupada – “No, there are… Majority, 90%, they are always good. They never fall down”.

Dr. John Mize – “So we’re among the 10%.

Srila Prabhupada – “Yes. Or less than that. In the material, whole material world all the living entities they are… Just like in the prison house, there is some population, but they are not majority. The majority of the population, they are outside the prison house. Similarly, majority of living being, part and parcel of God, they are in the spiritual world. Only a few fall down”.

Dr. John Mize – “Does Krsna know ahead of time that a soul is going to be foolish and fall?”

Srila Prabhupada – “Krsna? Yes, Krishna may know because He is omniscient”.

Dr. John Mize – “Are more souls falling all the time?”

Srila Prabhupada – “Not all the time. But there is the tendency of fall down, not for all, but because there is independence… Everyone is not liking to misuse the independence. The same example: Just like a government constructing a city and constructs also prison house because the government knows that somebody will be criminal. So their shelter must be also constructed. It is very easy to understand. Not that cent percent population will be criminal, but government knows that some of them will be. Otherwise why they construct prison house also? One may say, “Where is the criminal? You are constructing…” Government knows, there will be criminal. So if the ordinary government can know, why God cannot know? Because there is tendency”.

Dr. John Mize – “The origin of that tendency (to fall from Goloka) is…?”

Srila Prabhupada – “Yes”.

Dr. John Mize – “From where does that tendency come?”

Srila Prabhupada – “Tendency means the independence. So everyone can know that independence means one can use it properly, one can misuse it. That is independence. If you make it one way only, that you cannot become fall down, that is not independence. That is force. Therefore Krsna says,yathecchasi tathä kuru. “Now you do whatever you like.” (Bhagavad Gita as it is. lecture, Mayapur, June 20, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - "In the broader sense everyone comes from Krsna Loka. When one forgets Krsna he is conditioned, when one remembers Krsna he is liberated". (Letter to Mukunda, June 10, 1969)

Srila Prabhupada - "We cannot say therefore that we are not with Krsna. As soon as we try to become Lord, immediately Maya covers us. Formerly we were with Krsna in His lila or sport. But this covering of Maya may be of very, very, very, very long duration; therefore many creations are coming and going". (Letter to Madhudvisa Swami June 1972 Australia)

Acyutananda - ''So what made the soul take birth in the first place?''

Srila Prabhupada - ''In the first place?''

Acyutananda - ''What is the first birth? What is the cause of the first birth''.

Srila Prabhupada: ''Yes. That is stated in the Prema-vivarta:

krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare

nikata-stha maya tare japatiya dhare

We are eternal servant of Krsna. As soon as we want to become master, that is the beginning of our first birth in the material world. We have got independence. Krsna says, mamaivamso jiva bhutah—we are part and parcel of Krsna—so Krsna has got full independence, but we are minute; therefore we have got minute independence. Our business is to serve Krsna, but as soon as we give up this idea, we want to become master. That is the beginning of our material birth''. (Lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.2--Hyderabad, April 11, 1975)

Acyutananda - ''But in the Gita, it says, "Once coming there, he never returns."

Srila Prabhupada - ''But if he likes, he can return''.

Acyutananda - ''He can return?''

Srila Prabhupada - ''That independence has to be accepted, little independence. We can misuse that. Krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare. That misuse is the cause of our falldown''. (Morning Walk--February 19, 1976, Mayapura)

Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura - ''When the marginal living entity has contact with matter, the imprisoned soul loses the memory of his original spiritual form in Vaikuntha., material rasas (tastes and desires) are perverted reflections of the soul's original spiritual rasas. (Prema-pradipa, p. 83)

Devotee - "Srila Prabhupada why did Krsna give us free will if He knew we could fall down in the material world?"

Srila Prabhupada - "If you have no free will, then you are a stone. The stone has no free will. You want to be stone? Then you must have free will. But don't misuse your free will. But don't try to become stone either. That is not life". (August 5, 1976, New Mayapur France)

Loving relationships and expressions of love are always a two way street based on reciprocation and loving exchanges, it is never a slave domineering master relationship that only destroys one's free will and sense of individual self.

Srila Prabhupada - ''Love means you take and you give also. Suppose if you love somebody and you simply take from him, but you don't give. Oh, do you think it is very good? No. It is not good. That is NOT love. That is exploitation. If I go on simply taking from you, and if I don't offer you anything, that is simply exploitation. (Lecture on Bhagavad Gita Chapter 9 text 2-5, New York, November 23, 1966)

Srila Prabhupada - ''We have got the propensity to love. Love means somebody else. Love cannot be done or love cannot be executed only one, personally. There must be another one. I love somebody; somebody loves me, there must be lover, there must be beloved, and the transaction, then love''. (Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 1 Chapter 2 text 6, Delhi, November 12, 1973)

Love means two.

Srila Prabhupada - ''Their (impersonalist) philosophy is oneness. So how there can be love, one? Is it possible? Have you got any such experience? Love means one? No. Love means two. There must be two, the lover and the beloved. Kṛṣṇa is already lover. He's so lover of you that He's trying to get you back. That is Kṛṣṇa's attempt. "Please, My dear boy, or My dear friend, My dear servant..." (Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 2 Chapter 1 text 3 -- Paris, June 12, 1974)

The jiva-soul in both Vaikuntha and Goloka-Vrindavana, NEVER lose their free will, which means their own individual ability of self expression when choosing to offer their own personal contributions that is unique to each of the individual jiva-soul or jiva-tattva.

Each jiva-soul in their full natural ''svarupa'' potential in the Spiritual Worlds of Vaikuntha and Goloka-Vrindavana, has this eternal marginal quality of free will, which is part and parcel of there perpetual constitutional makeup.

In this way, each of jiva-soul has their own individual sense of self, character, personality, likes and dislikes by being one of kind in the Spiritual Sky unlike any other jiva-soul. No two jiva-souls are the same, each has their own unique individual personality and character.

This eternally existing makeup of each jiva soul, is without any beginning or ending point, and is part and parcel of every marginal living entities (jiva-tattva souls).

This allows the jiva-soul to "personally" always be aware of their own individuality and independent nature while serving Krishna in THEIR very best way, that is different from all other living entities in the Spiritual Sky.`

This is a very important point to understand as we progress and mature in our Krsna Consciousness.

The relationship between Krsna and the jiva-tattva (soul) is NEVER one-sided, never forced, never impersonal, it is ALWAYS reciprocal, nurturing, personal and voluntary, in a mood of good exchanges and feelings, ONLY then can there be REAL love.

Srila Prabhupada - "So, unless there is a possibility of misusing our free will, there is no question of freedom.” (Dialectical Spiritualism, Critique of Descartes)

So the conclusion is Srimad Bhagavatam explains the fall down of the jiva-soul from Vaikuntha found in the 4th Canto Chapter 28 text 53 of Srimad Bhagavatam where the Supreme Lord is disguised as a brahmana;

''The brāhmaṇa continued: My dear friend, even though you cannot immediately recognize Me, can't you remember that in the past you had a very intimate friend? Unfortunately, you gave up My company and accepted a position as enjoyer of this material world''.*.*.*