What is love?

Love can never exist with only "one," there MUST be "two" having reciprocal exchanges. Freedom means a voluntarily participation between two. 

Srila Prabhupada - "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? In Bengali it is said if you catch one girl or boy and you demand 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." (July 8, 1976 in Washington, D.C)

Srila Prabhupāda – ''Genuine love means a relationship between "two persons", then there is exchange, then there is love. I must deal with you open-hearted, you must deal with me open-hearted, then there is love. So if you want to love Kṛṣṇa, God, then these things must be there." (Aug 9, 1976, Tehran)

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 in return, that is simply exploitation."(Lecture BG Ch 9 text 2-5, New York, Nov 23, 1966)

Srila Prabhupada - ''We have got the propensity to love. Love means somebody else. Love cannot be one or love cannot be executed by only one, there must be two. I love somebody; somebody loves me, there must be lover, there must be beloved, and the transaction, then love." (SB Canto 1 Ch 2 text 6, Delhi, Nov 12, 1973)

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

Love can never exist with only "one," there MUST be "two" having reciprocal exchanges. Freedom means a voluntarily participation between two. 

Even Krsna had to divide Himself into two just so He could experience loving exchanges with a women and that women is Radharani.

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." (Aug 5, 1976, New Mayapur France)

Srila Prabhupada  - "Free will means that you can act wrongly. That is free will. Unless there is chance of doing wrong or right, there is no question of free will. Where is free will then? If I act only one sided, that means I have no free will. Because we act sometimes wrongly, that means free will."

Hayagriva - "A man may know better but still act wrongly."

Srila Prabhupada - "Yes, but that is free will. He misuses his. Just like a thief, he knows that his stealing, it is bad, but still he does it. That is free will. He cannot check his greediness, so in spite of his knowing that he is doing wrong thing—he will be punished, he knows; he has seen another thief, he was punished, he was put into prison— everything he knows, but still he steals. Why? Misuse of free will. Unless there is misuse of free will, there is no question of free will." (Philosophy Discussions with Rene Descartes and Hayagriva (Honolulu/Los Angeles, May/June 1976)

Srila Prabhupada – "So everyone can know that independence means one can use it properly, or one can misuse it. That is independence. If you make it one way only, that is not independence, that is force." (Los Angeles, June 23, 1975)

Srila Prabhupada – "You have got little independence therefore you can violate. Because you are part and parcel of God you have got independence, proportionately, therefore if he'd likes he can return. That independence has to be accepted, little independence. We CAN misuse that."(Conversation Mayapur, Feb 19, 1976) 

Srila Prabhupada - "Surrender BY your intelligence but don't surrender your intelligence." (Letter to Bali Mardan 1974)**

Material time is continuously "moving" from past, to present, to future for infinity in the constant cycles of material creations and annihilations.

This flow of time means material energy is in a constant state of decline and decay -from birth, youth, middle age, old age and death.

The individual material universes, known as Brahmandas, are coming from the body of Maha-Visnu. 

They are all governed by the flow or movement of material time - past, present and future, unlike the "eternal presence" of time in Vaikuntha and Goloka-Vrindavana, the Kingdoms of God.

Therefore, when Maha-Visnu breaths out, gradually all Brahmanda universes begin to manifest, but when He breaths in, some are destroyed while others are "in line" to be destroyed within the movement of time.

It all does not happen at once.

Remember material time means "moving" from past, to present, to future. 

The Brahmanda universes are also constantly coming from the pores of Mahā-Viṣṇu's skin, which is a constant flow in both directions at different stages of time.

Each Brahmanda universe has a secondary inner material universe within it created by Garbhodakashayi Visnu and managed by Brahma.

Both the Brahmanda universes and their inner secondary universes lasts for the same life span of Brahmā, which is 311 trillion and 40 billions human years. 

According to Srimad Bhagavatam there is silence in ONLY that part of the material creation experiencing annihilation (not all material worlds at the same time) for another 311 trillion and 40 billion years. 

Other Brahmanda universes are going on in their time zone during that annihilation (Maha-Visnu breathing in)

In other words the entire material creation does NOT shut down all at once.

Also the jiva-souls have existed for "infinity" which means they are beginningless and endless.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 12-

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be." (BG Ch 2 text 12)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 20-

"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (BG Ch 2 text 20)

Please avoid reading Prabhupada's incorrect 1972 edition of Bhagavad Gita As It Is where the above text indicates the jiva-soul has a beginning when it is beginningless.**

When did we come into contact with the material nature?

Srila Prabhupada - "People are running around–'Oh, I am the manager. I am the factory owner. I am this. I am that. We know his politics, we have to defeat our competitors.' 

All these things are created just like a man creates a situation in a dream– svapna–drastur ivanjasa.

So when someone asks, “When did we come into contact with the material nature?” The answer is that we have not come into contact. By the influence of the material energy, we THINK that we are in contact. 

Actually, we are NOT fallen. We cannot be fallen. We have simply created a situation. Rather, we have not created a situation; Krsna has given us a situation. Because we wanted to imitate Krsna, Krsna has given an opportunity: 

“All right. You want to imitate? You want to be an imitation king on the stage. So feel like this. Play like this. Do like this. 

People will applaud–”Oh, a very nice king!” Everyone in the material world is playing some part. “I want to be prime minister” “ I want to be very big business magnate.” “I want to be a leader.” “I want to be a philosopher.” “I want to be a scientist.” 

They are trying to play all these nonsense parts and Krsna is giving the opportunity–“All right.” But these things are all nonsense. Simply dreaming. When you dream, the next moment the dream is gone, and everything in the dream is finished. No more tiger. No more jungle. 

Similarly, as long as the body continues, I think, “I am a responsible leader. I am this, I am that.” but as soon as the body is finished, these ideas are gone.

“Krsna says, mrityu sarva-haras ca-ham: ‘I am death. I take everything away.’ Just think of our past life. Suppose I was a king or something like that. 

From the Bhrighu-samhita it was ascertained that I was a big physician in my last life, with a spotless character, no sins. 

I don’t know. It may be. But I have no remembrance that I was a physician. So what do we know? I might have been a very big influential physician, with a good practice, but where is it all now? All gone! 

So our contact with matter is just like a dream. We are not fallen., therefore at any moment we can revive our Krsna consciousness. We become liberated as soon as we understand “I have nothing to do with matter. I am simply Krsna’s eternal servant.” 

Sometimes when a fearful dream becomes intolerable we break the dream. 

Similarly, we can break the material connection at any moment as soon as we come to the point of Krsna consciousness. 

“Oh, Krsna is my eternal master. I am His servant.” That’s all. That is the way.

Actually, we are not fallen. We cannot be fallen. The same example: 

Actually there is no tiger; it is dreaming. We are not fallen. We can simply give up that illusory condition at any moment." (From BTG, “The soul’s Fall”)

The implications of the cycle of birth and death (reincarnation) over "infinity" is mindblowing.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is confirms the jiva-souls (that includes you and me) was NEVER created because they have no origin, and therefore exist for infinity-

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 12-

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be." (BG Ch 2 text 12)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 20-

"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (BG Ch 2 text 20)

Please avoid reading Prabhupada's incorrect 1972 edition of Bhagavad Gita As It Is where the above text indicates the jiva-soul has a beginning when it is beginningless.

The jiva-souls may fall to an inactive or dormant state called the impersonal Brahmajyoti, but they certainly did not originate from there or remain there.

Even entering the impersonal Brahmajyoti or Brahman is also only temporary relief for the jiva-souls who enter there to escape the suffering and pain of being embodied in the material world in the cycle of repeated birth and death.

The implications of living for infinity as we, the jiva-souls do, means one can be anyone over eternity and we have already have experienced that, we must have because there is no limitations to what we can experience in the material creation.

The implications of the cycle of birth and death (reincarnation) over "infinity" is mindblowing. 

It's not that you CAN be Lennon, McCartney, J.F. Kennedy, the Queen, Elvis, etc, but if the jiva-soul (you) stays around long enough in the material creation for infinity, then the material nature WILL eventually repeat itself.

In other words, if you stay long enough over infinity in the cycle of repeated birth and death, you CAN be those people mentioned above and everyone else. 

The key word is "infinity" that makes this scenario not only possible, but will definitely happen to all jiva-souls who choose to remain in the material creation.

The only escape is finding a BONAFIDE Spiritual Master and allow him to guide you back home back to Godhead beyond the material worlds..*..

Krsna never interferes with the jiva-soul's free will by forcing them to surrender to Him if they choose to reject Him.

This is because such force would destroy the jiva-souls voluntary contributions that leads to loving exchanges and a two-way reciprocal relationship.

Srila Prabhupada - "The "immediate" expansions of the Lord are called svāṁśa or personal direct expansions (Visnu-tattva). The "separated" expansions of the Lord are called vibhinnāṁśa - jiva-tattva or independent jiva-souls like us." (BG 10.37, Purport)

In most nearly all cases (unless the jiva-soul prays for Krsna's chastisement), Krsna will not interfere with the jiva-soul's free will because He wants a relationship with those individuals who take personal responsibilities for their own thoughts and actions.

This also allows them to voluntarily contribute offerings in their own unique way. This is what it means to be an "individual" who has the free will to further enrich one's loving exchanges with Krsna. 

Otherwise one is just a mindless drone who foolishly thinks "surrender" means allowing Krsna to control your every thoughts and actions and only allow Krsna to possess you and take complete control of you.

The fact is, that kind of so called "surrender" is nonsense impersonalism.

To follow Krsna or not follow Krsna is based on "choice" or "free will" and "voluntary" participation or service. 

Devotee – "When we are in the spiritual sky and serving Krsna, we have a perfect relationship with Krsna, what causes us to fall down in the material world, because we’re already serving Krsna?"

Srila Prabhupada – "Because you desire to fall down. Here it is explained that "Don’t fall down."

Devotee – "Srila Prabhupada, I can’t understand why we should have an impure desire when we are already serving…"

Srila Prabhupada – "Because you have got little freedom. Why one is not coming here and going to the liquor shop? It is his desire."

Devotee – "In the Srimad Bhagavatam it says that Krsna did not want us to come to this material world. If Krsna did not want us to come, why are we here?"

Srila Prabhupada – "Yes, you forced Krsna to allow you to come. Just like sometimes a child forces his father. Father says, "My dear son, do not do this. Do not go there." But he insists, "Oh, I must go. I must go." "All right, you go at your risk and suffer." What can be done? So because you are Son of God you have got independence, full independence, therefore you have acquired the quality of your father, so God does not interfere with your independence. If you persist that "I must go and enjoy independently," so God says, "All right, you can go." This is the position. You have to take sanction. That is a fact. But when you persist, God sanctions. And you come and enjoy." (Melb, Australia June 25, 1974)

Acyutananda – "In the Bhagavad Gita it says, 'Once coming to the Vaikuntha, he never returns to the material worlds.' So he can return?"

Srila Prabhupada – "If he likes he can return."

Guru-kripa – "How is it that one can become envious of Krsna?"

Srila Prabhupada – "You have got little independence, you can violate. Because you are part and parcel of God. God has got full independence, but you have got independence too, proportionately, because you are part and parcel, so if he likes, he can return. That independence has to be accepted. We can misuse that. Krsna-bahirmukha haïä bhoga väïchä kare. That misuse is the cause of our falldown." (Conversation, Mayapur, Feb 19, 1976)

Without "free will" genuine loving exchanges in a "two-way" direction based on reciprocation and voluntary contributions or offerings, can NEVER exist.

Freedom and free will means having the choice to accept or reject Krsna otherwise there is no question of freedom.

Real love can never exist if this was not the standard.

Those scholars who make the claim "not even the leaves can fall down from Vaikuntha" are not understanding the concept of "free will" and the voluntary "two-way" reciprocal exchanges going on between Krsna and the jiva-souls.

The Spiritual planets are NOT a nonsense "one-way" impersonal non-contributing dictatorship where one is always told what to do instead of encouraged to think for themselves.

The fact is one's position in the Spiritual planets can NEVER be claimed to be eternally permanent there even though for the majority (over 90%) of jiva-souls it is.

This is because there is ALWAYS "free will" in both Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavana.

This means at any time the jiva-souls can leave if they choose to do so.

Many Vaisnavas in other Sangas (religious cults) claim the jiva-soul can never fall down from Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrindavana once there, no, this idea is wrong and incorrect because the jiva-souls can leave at anytime they want due to THEIR free will.

But most (over 90%) "choose" to stay. 

It is the choice of the jiva-soul too and NOT just Krsna's command that decides the fate of the jiva-souls.

Yes, one can fall down from Vaikuntha at anytime, not because of Maya or any material cause as explained above, but because they have their "free will", or the ability to make their own decisions. 

Maya and material nature cannot exist in Vaikuntha and therefore is NOT the cause of fall down.

But the ability to choose DOES exist in both Vaikuntha and Goloka-Vrindavana.

However, once in the material creation "free will" is greatly restricted and almost does not exist.

Only in the human species does free will exist in a small degree, all other species act according to the instincts of eating, sleeping, mating and depending.

Therefore, in the lower species, good or bad karma is NOT created.

In fact good or bad karma is not created in the hellish or heavenly planets either, one who is there simply burns off their pious and impious bank balance accumulated while in a human material body on this Earth.

Only Visnu-tattva and Sakti (Visnu) tattva direct expansions of Krsna (Krsna just playing different rolls in Vaikuntha and Goloka Vrindavan) never fall down because they ARE Krsna.

On the other hand, all jiva-souls CAN leave Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrindavana anytime they desire as explained above.

If they had no choice to choose between serving Krsna and doing their own thing in the material creation, then without that choice by having free will, then how can there be genuine love?

Krsna does NOT force the living entity (jiva-souls) to love Him.

Sadly, many cannot get their head around this fact that one CAN leave Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrindavana anytime they want.

It is NOT true that once in Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrindavana, the jiva-souls remains there forever.

No one, not even Krsna can promise that one will eternally stay in Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana and will NEVER fall down because all jiva-souls and independent living entities with their own free will.

So that choice is not Krsnas, it is the jiva-souls choice, and they can change their minds at anytime.

Only a sentimental fool makes the silly comment that once reaching Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana, one will never again fall down to the material creation.

No one knows what each jiva-soul will choose in the future including within the eternal presence of Krsna.

So over an infinity everything can change meaning you can be anything you want to be except being God.

Also, the jiva-souls did not come from any "impersonal origin" either as some claim.

The fact is, we ALL came from our original home in the Vaikuntha planets or from Goloka Vrindavana long, long, long ago.

Years ago I had big aguments with other religious groups in the 1970s. They foolishly claimed we have never been to Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana which our Srila Prabhupada says is nonsense and we should avoid such bogus teachings from these sannyasis.

Prabhupada has told us their understanding is incorrect and that all marginal living entities (jiva-souls) originate from Goloka-Vrindavana and did not come from any impersonal nonsense they call a clear sheet of consciousness. 

This is because the jiva-souls are eternal and have no origin as Bhagavad Gita teaches us.

Therefore, tatastha-sakti is a fallen condition of the jiva-soul and NOT the origin. 

An impersonal inactive state of consciousness is NOT the origin of the jiva-soul as some claim and teach.

As said above, ALL jiva-souls have come directly from being in Krsna's "personal active pastimes" Prabhupāda has told us.

Srila Prabhupada - "We have also come down from Vaikuntha some millions and millions of years ago." (Lecture on BG on Aug 6, 1973)

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

New jiva-souls are NEVER created as some claim.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is clearly says that never was there a time when the jiva-souls did not exist, nor in the future will any of then ever cease to be. 

The jiva-souls have existed for "infinity" which means they are beginningless and endless.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 corrected edition, Chapter 2 text 12-

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be." (BG Ch 2 text 12)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 corrected edition, Chapter 2 text 20-

"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (BG Ch 2 text 20)

Please avoid reading these verses from Prabhupada's incorrect 1972 edition of Bhagavad Gita As It Is, where the above text indicates the jiva-soul has a beginning when it is beginningless.

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.)

By misusing one's free will causes the jiva-soul to live separately from Krsna by entering the material creation.

And this choice has nothing to do with maya or material energy as explained above.

As Prabhupada has explained, it is one's free will that allows the jiva-souls to reject Krsna.

This is because each jiva-soul is an independent individual persons, who can make their own choices, and includes rejecting Krsna if they want that instantly places them in the material creation.

After making that choice, the rebellious jiva-soul is given material bodies by Maha-Visnu, both subtle and gross material vessels that covers the anti material spiritual form.

In the material world the jiva-souls are confined to a gross material bodily vessel that is always in a state of decay and decline, and in need of constant maintenance.

Eventually the jiva-soul, trapped within a decaying material body, is forced to take another gross material body when their present one decomposes and wears out.

Everything in the material creation perishes due to decay caused by the temporary nature of the material creation.

Also once in the material creation, the jiva-soul is on their own path directed by their own pious and impious actions.

This is because they are responsible for their actions good and bad and are punishment or rewarded according.

Therefore karma begins as soon as the jiva-soul leave Vaikuntha or Goloka Vrindavana.

No jiva-souls originate from the dormant (inactive) Brahmajyoti or Brahman effulgence, or the Body of Maha-Visnu because they ALL come (originate) from Vaikuntha as Prabhupada explains above repeated here again as a reminder-

Srila Prabhupada - "We have also come down from Vaikuntha some millions and millions of years ago." (Lecture on BG on Aug 6, 1973)

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

Although many jiva-souls may fall to impersonal Brahman or Brahmajyoti AFTER being in the material creation.

However, NEVER did the jiva-souls originate from that impersonal Brahmajyoti Prabhupada explains here-

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 - "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."(Hare Krsna "Happening record album" New York City, Dec 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 - "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 Canto 4 Ch 29 text 83 Purport)

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 Krishna 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, Cheviot Hills May 13, 1973, Los Angeles)

Therefore the jiva-souls are responsible for their 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 dasa, 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 souls. New and old are due to this material body, but the jiva-soul is never born and never dies, so if there is no birth, so how there can be new soul?" (Letter to Jagadisa dasa, 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 dasa Feb 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 dasa 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 Krsna’s marginal energy." (Letter to Rayarama, Dec 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." (BG As It Is, Introduction)

Srila Prabhupada - "So to go to Krsna 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 of over 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 restricted, 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, the majority of living being are in the spiritual world. Only a few fall down to the material worlds."

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

Srila Prabhupada – "Krsna?" Yes, Krsna 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 (free will). Everyone is not liking to misuse their independence. The same example: Just like a government constructing a city and constructs also the 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 a prison" But the Government knows there will be criminal. So if the ordinary government can know, why God cannot know? Because there is tendency to misuse your free will."

Dr. John Mize – "The origin of that tendency (to fall from Goloka or Vaikuntha) is from where?"

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." (BG As It Is lecture, Mayapur, June 20, 1973)

Srila Prabhupada - "In the broader sense everyone comes from Krsnaloka. When one forgets Krsna he is conditioned (nitya-baddha), when one remembers Krsna he is liberated (nitya siddha)." (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 jiva-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 in the material creation?"

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 SB Canto 5.5.2, Hyderabad, April 11, 1975)

Acyutananda - "But in Bhagavad Gita it says, "Once coming to the Spiritual world (Vaikuntha and Goloka-Vrindavana), one never returns to the material worlds."

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, Feb 19, 1976, Mayapur)

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." (Aug 5, 1976, New Mayapur France).

It is not Maya causing one to leave or fall down from Vaikuntha because there is no material nature (Maya) in Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana that forces the jiva-soul to leave Krsna.

Maya's temptation and material energy do not exist in Vaikuntha or Goloka-Vrindavana.

There is no material cause for our fall down from Vaikuntha to the material creation however, what does exist eternally in Vaikuntha and Goloka-Vrindavana, and can cause fall down to the material creation if misused, is free will, or one's constitutional right to make their own decisions and choices.

Also the jiva-souls have existed for "infinity" which means they are beginningless and endless.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 12-

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be." (BG Ch 2 text 12)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 20-

"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (BG Ch 2 text 20)

Please avoid reading Prabhupada's incorrect 1972 edition of Bhagavad Gita As It Is where the above text indicates the jiva-soul has a beginning when it is beginningless.**

All living entities (both Visnu-tattva and jiva-tattva) are expansions of the Original Living Entity, Krsna.

Srila Prabhupada – “In the Padma Purana, it is said there are two kinds of spiritual entities; one is called the jiva-tattva, and the other is called the Visnu-tattva." (87th Ch, Krsna Book, Prayers by the Personified Vedas)

Srila Prabhupada - "The "immediate" expansions of the Lord are called svāṁśa or personal direct expansions (Visnu-tattva who are Krsna playing another role in His own pastimes). The "separated" expansions of the Lord are called vibhinnāṁśa - (jiva-tattva or independent jiva-souls) like us." (BG 10.37, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - We are marginal (the jiva-souls) who are sometimes internal, sometimes external. When we are under the internal energy, that is our normal life, and when we are under the external energy, that is our abnormal life. Therefore, we are called marginal energy; we can be either this way or that way. But being qualitatively one with the purusa, our tendency is to remain in the internal energy. Being in the external energy is our artificial attempt." (Letter to Lilavati, Allston, Mass 25 April, 1969)

Srila Prabhupada - "Regarding your question about Krsna's associates, the principle is that all living entities are expansions of the Original Living Entity, Krsna. 

But there are different grades of living entities- 

1 - Visnu-tattva 

2 - Jiva-tattva. 

Visnu-tattva is almost equal to the level of the Personality of Godhead, and Jiva-tattva is minute particles. 

So when Lord Caitanya appeared, Nityananda Prabhu and Advaita Prabhu were Visnu-tattva; whereas Gadadhara Prabhu and Srivas Prabhu were Sakti Tattva. 

Jiva-tattva is also within the Sakti-tattva. These things are explained in TLC and other of our books. 

Lord Nityananda is Balarama Himself, not an expansion of Him. 

Srila Narottama das Thakura has sung that the Lord who appeared as the Son of Nanda Maharaja has now appeared as the son of Sacidevi; and the same Balarama has appeared as Nityananda. This is the statement of Srila Narottama das Thakura." (Letter to Jayagovinda - London 8 Dec, 1969)

Srila Prabhupada - "The pleasure potency of Śrī Kṛṣṇa formerly known as Vṛndāvaneśvarī is now personified in the form of Śrī Gadādhara Paṇḍita in the pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.” 

Śrī Svarūpa Dāmodara Gosvāmī has pointed out that in the shape of Lakṣmī, the pleasure potency of Kṛṣṇa, she was formerly very dear to the Lord as Śyāmasundara vallabhā. 

The same Śyāmasundara vallabhā is now present as Gadādhara Paṇḍita. 

Formerly, as Lalitā-sakhī, she was always devoted to Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. 

Gadadhara Goswami is a representative of a perfect brahmana spiritual master He is the Pleasure Potency of Sri Krsna (Srimati Radharani) He is a learned scholar and Gadadhara Pandit is simultaneously an incarnation of Srimati Radharani and Lalita-sakhi

Gadadhara is the incarnation of devotional energy and of the internal potency who is sakti-tattva, the confidential worshipper of the Visnu-tattva. 

In this incarnation, Radharani was able to spend time with Her Lord as an intimate associate who helped spread the pastimes and glories of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu." (CC.Adi 10.15 purport)

Caitanya Caritamrta - "Srivasa Thakura is the incarnation of the pure devotee of the Lord. He is jiva-tattva, the leader of all pure unalloyed devotees.

“All glories to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Lord Nityananda! All glories to Advaita Prabhu, and all glories to the devotees of Lord Caitanya, headed by Srivasa!” (C.C.Adi 10.2)

Caitanya Caritamrta - “These two captains, with Their soldiers, such as Srivasa Thakura, travel everywhere, chanting the holy name of the Lord.” (C.C.Adi 3.75)

Caitanya Caritamrta - “The devotees headed by Srivasa are His smaller limbs. They are like His hands, face and eyes and His disc and other weapons.” (C.C.Adi 6.38)

Caitanya Caritamrta - “Srivasa, Haridasa, Ramadasa, Gadadhara, Murari, Mukunda, Candrasekhara and Vakresvara are all glorious and are all learned scholars, but the sentiment of servitude to Lord Caitanya makes them mad in ecstasy.” (C.C.Adi 6.49-50).

The Lord’s marginal energy is Srivas Thakur.

Caitanya Caritamrta - “There are innumerable pure devotees of the Lord, headed by Srivasa Thakura, who are known as unalloyed devotees.” (C.C.Adi 7.16)

Even cats and dogs in the household of Srivasa Thakura were liberated. Cats and dogs and other animals are not expected to become devotees, but, in the association of a pure devotee, they are also delivered.

The entire family of Srivasa was made up of exalted spiritual personalities.

Caitanya Caritamrta - “In the Gaura-ganodesa dipika (90), Srivasa Pandita is described as an incarnation of Narada Muni, and Sri Rama Pandita, his younger brother, is said to be an incarnation of Parvata Muni, a great friend of Narada’s. 

Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita’s wife, Mālinī, is celebrated as an incarnation of the nurse Ambikā, who fed Lord Kṛṣṇa with her breast milk, and his niece Nārāyaṇī, the mother of Ṭhākura Vṛndāvana dāsa, the author of Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata, was the sister of Ambikā in kṛṣṇa-līlā. 

We also understand from the description of Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata that after Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s acceptance of the sannyāsa order, Śrīvāsa Paṇḍita left Navadvīpa, possibly because of feelings of separation, and domiciled at Kumārahaṭṭa.” (C.C.Adi 10.8)

God (Visnu-tattva) and the individual jiva-souls (jiva-tattva) are together even in every atom in the material creation.

God (Visnu or Narayana) and the jiva-tattvas (the individual jiva-souls) are within every atom.

Therefore within the heart of all living entities and within the atom, God is known as Kshirodakashayi Visnu. 

In Gauḍīya Vaisnavism there are three different forms, or aspects, of Visnu as-

1 - Karanodakasayi-Visnu, also known as Maha-Visnu.  

2 - Garbhodakasayi-Visnu also known as Hiraņyagarbha 

3 - Ksirodakasayi-Visnu also known as Paramatma and Super Soul. 

They all enter and manage different aspects of the material creation.

Kṣīrodakaśāyī-Viṣṇu resides in the heart of every living creature as a four hand expansion similar to that of Mahā-Viṣṇu. 

He is also referred to as Paramātmā or super-soul. His abode is the Vaikuṇṭha. 

His personal abode is Kshirasagara (Milk Ocean) and He is realised as Aniruddha expansion of Nārāyaņa.

Visnu/Narayana are expansions of Krsna the Supreme Personality of Godhead and cause of all causes.

Tamala Krsna - "Srila Prabhupada, someone asked a question the other day about the atom which I couldn’t give the answer to. His question is that if we say that within the atom the living entity, the jiva, is present, and life symptoms means six symptoms of birth, growth…"

Srila Prabhupada - "That’s all right. Their life symptoms has not yet come. But there is."

Jayadvaita - "Potential."

Srila Prabhupada - "Yes."

Tamala Krsna - "His question was… It was sort of a dual question. At what time, or what…? Just like at the time of disintegration of this body, the living entity leaves this body and the body disintegrates, so does the atomic body also disintegrate when the living entity leaves it and moves to a higher body?"

Srila Prabhupada - "Atomic body? Atomic body means material body. Unless you are free from this material body, the atomic body will go on with you. That means unless you are mukta, the atomic body will go on. Mind, intelligence, ego — they are also atomic, finer atomic body."

Tamala Krsna - "But within each atom the living entity is present?"

Srila Prabhupada - "Yes, God is present; therefore living entity is present."

Tamala Krsna -"So the living entity is present within the atom just as I am present within this body. When I leave this body, my body breaks apart."

Srila Prabhupada - "Yes, you leave this body, enter another body."

Tamala Krsna -"Right."

Srila Prabhupada - "By nature’s law."

Tamala Krsna -"And when I leave this body, the body breaks apart."

Srila Prabhupada - "Eh?"

Tamala Krsna - "When I leave this body, the body dis…"

Srila Prabhupada - "The body is already atomic combination."

Tamala Krsna "Yes."

Srila Prabhupada - "So it remains atomic combination. You leave the body."

Tamala Krsna -"Yes, it remains…"

Srila Prabhupada - "You leave the house. That does not mean the house is finished."

Tamala Krsna - "Right, I can understand that."

Hamsaduta - "He’s asking that if the soul leaves the atomic particle, then does the particle break apart. Isn’t it?"

Srila Prabhupada - "No, no. You have not left atomic particle."

Tamala Krsna - "No, but you, you’re… I think you were saying that within the atom there’s also a living entity. So when that living entity leaves the atomic particle does the particle break apart? Or doesn’t it? I mean what…?"

Srila Prabhupada - "Just try to understand. From the sastra, you understand that andantara-stham: “God lives within the atom."

Tamala Krsna - "Yes."

Srila Prabhupada - "And when the God is there, living entity’s also there. This… This much you try to understand. Because God and living entity, they remain together, as two friends. God is trying to save this fallen friend. That is the information from Upanisad. So when God is there, the living entity is also there."

Rupanuga - "So Paramatma and jivatma (jiva-soul) are always together."

Srila Prabhupada - "Yes."

Pancadravida - "The jiva-souls inside the atom, are they like impersonalists who are in the Brahman?"

Srila Prabhupada - "That you consider. He has not developed his consciousness, practically, it is like dead." (Morning Walk April 4 1975, Mayapur)

What is the different between death and sleeping? 

Srila Prabhupada - "There is no difference. Just like at the present moment we are sleeping, say, for 12 hours or 8 hours or 10 hours and getting up in the next morning, and death means we shall sleep for seven months continually, and when we get up I see another body.

There are three states of conditions- 

1 - jāgara, 

2 - suṣupti, 

3 - svapna

Which mean

1 - dreaming condition, 

2 - awakening condition,

3 - unconscious or deep sleep. 

Actually, we do not die. Na jāyate na mriyate vā kadācit. There is no question of death. It is simply sleeping or deep sleeping, like that.

He has analyzed the life, that our duration of life may be for one hundred years. 

Out of that, fifty years we spoil by sleeping, because at night we sleep ten hours, twelve hours. 

There is 24 hours duration of day and night. So supposing that I sleep for 12 hours, day and night, then actually I live fifty years, because sleeping is death, yes, that is also daily death.

What is the different between death and sleeping? 

There is no difference. Just like at the present moment we are sleeping, say, for 12 hours or 8 hours or 10 hours and getting up in the next morning, and death means we shall sleep for seven months continually, and when we get up I see another body. 

That is birth and death.

Death means you give up this body. "You" means the "jiva-soul." And you carry yourself with your subtle body, mind, intelligence and ego.

According to your mental situation you enter into the womb of a mother injected by the semina of your father, you get an opportunity to grow another body. It takes about seven months to grow that body. 

So during this period, I mean to say, quitting this body, entering into another body and to develop that body, come to the consciousness point of view, it takes seven months. 

So death means sleeping for seven months." (Lecture SB Canto 7.6.1 Montreal, June 10, 1968)

Also the jiva-souls have existed for "infinity" which means they are beginningless and endless.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 12-

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be." (BG Ch 2 text 12)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 20-

"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (BG Ch 2 text 20).***.

The original Kṛṣṇa NEVER leaves Vṛndāvana.

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa as His original childhood form NEVER leaves Vṛndāvana, all the forms of Kṛṣṇa that appear elsewhere are His Viṣṇu-tattva expansions."(BG As It Is Ch 10 text 37)

Srila Prabhupada - "The original Lord Kṛṣṇa never leaves Goloka Vṛndāvana. All the plenary expansions are one and the same Viṣṇu-tattva, and there is no difference in Their potency." (SB Canto 3 Ch 1 Text 34)

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Baladeva (Balarama) is Kṛṣṇa's immediate expansion. Because Kṛṣṇa NEVER leaves Vṛndāvana, all the forms of Kṛṣṇa that appear elsewhere are His expansions." (BG, As It Is Ch 10 Text 37)

Kṛṣṇa’s first expansion is Balarama, and from Balarama ALL Visnu-tattva expansions originate.

When the "original" Krsna wants to enter the material creation to perform His pastimes in the Vrindavana facsimile of the spiritual world, His Visnu-tattva expansion, coming from Balarāma, performs those Kṛṣṇa pastimes or lilas.

In other words, because the original Kṛṣṇa NEVER leaves Vṛndāvana, His Visnu-tattva expansion coming from Balarāma, plays the part of the original Kṛṣṇa in the material creation that includes killing demons there.

In the original Vṛndāvana in the spiritual world, the original Kṛṣṇa does not kill demons because they do not exist there.

As said above, Krsna's first expansion is Balarāma, and from Balarama ALL Visnu-tattva expansions including Karanodakashayi Visnu (Maha-Visnu), Garbhodakashayi Visnu and Ksirodakasayi Visnu (Paramatma), originate. 

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Baladeva is Kṛṣṇa's immediate expansion. Both Lord Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva appeared as sons of Vasudeva, so both of Them may be called Vāsudeva. From another point of view, because Kṛṣṇa never leaves Vṛndāvana, all the forms of Kṛṣṇa that appear elsewhere are His expansions. Vāsudeva is Kṛṣṇa's immediate expansion, so Vāsudeva is not different from Kṛṣṇa. 

It is to be understood that the Vāsudeva referred to in this verse of Bhagavad-gītā is Baladeva, or Balarāma, because He is the original source of all incarnations and thus He is the sole source of Vāsudeva. 

The immediate expansions of the Lord are called svāṁśa (personal expansions), and there are also expansions called vibhinnāṁśa (separated expansions).

Amongst the sons of Pāṇḍu, Arjuna is famous as Dhanañjaya. He is the best of men and therefore represents Kṛṣṇa. 

Among the munis, or learned men conversant in Vedic knowledge, Vyāsa is the greatest because he explained Vedic knowledge in many different ways for the understanding of the common mass of people in this Age of Kali. 

And Vyāsa is also known as an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa; therefore Vyāsa also represents Kṛṣṇa. 

Kavis are those who are capable of thinking thoroughly on any subject matter. Among the kavis, Uśanā, Śukrācārya, was the spiritual master of the demons; he was an extremely intelligent and far-seeing politician. 

Thus Śukrācārya is another representative of the opulence of Kṛṣṇa." (BG 10.37, Purport)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "May I inquire whether Aniruddha is doing well? He is the fulfiller of all the desires of the pure devotees and has been considered from yore to be the cause of the Ṛg Veda, the creator of the mind and the fourth Plenary expansion of Viṣṇu." (SB 3.1.34, Translation)

Srila Prabhupada - "Ādi caturbhuja, the original expansions from Baladeva, are Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Pradyumna and Aniruddha. 

All of Them are viṣṇu-tattvas, or nondifferent Personalities of Godhead. 

In the incarnation of Śrī Rāma, all these different expansions appeared for particular pastimes. 

Lord Rāma is the original Vāsudeva, and His brothers were 

Saṅkarṣaṇa, 

Pradyumna, 

Aniruddha. 

Aniruddha is also the cause of Mahā-Viṣṇu, from whose breathing the Ṛg Veda appeared. All this is nicely explained in the Mārkaṇḍeya Purāṇa. 

In the incarnation of Lord Kṛṣṇa, Aniruddha appeared as the son of the Lord. Lord Kṛṣṇa in Dvārakā is the Vāsudeva expansion of the original group. 

The original Lord Kṛṣṇa never leaves Goloka Vṛndāvana. 

All the plenary expansions are one and the same viṣṇu-tattva, and there is no difference in Their potency." (SB 3.1.34, Purport)

Srimad Bhagavatam - "Since that time, the city of Mathurā had been the capital of all the kings of the Yadu dynasty. The city and district of Mathurā are very intimately connected with Kṛṣṇa, for Lord Kṛṣṇa lives there eternally." (SB 10.1.28, Translation)

Srila Prabhupada - "It is understood that Mathurā City is the transcendental abode of Lord Kṛṣṇa; it is not an ordinary material city, for it is eternally connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 

Vṛndāvana is within the jurisdiction of Mathurā, and it still continues to exist.

Because Mathurā and Vṛndāvana are intimately connected with Kṛṣṇa eternally, it is said that Lord Kṛṣṇa never leaves Vṛndāvana (vṛndāvanaṁ parityajya padam ekaṁ na gacchati). 

At present, the place known as Vṛndāvana, in the district of Mathurā, continues its position as a transcendental place, and certainly anyone who goes there becomes transcendentally purified. 

Navadvīpa-dhāma is also intimately connected with Vrajabhūmi." (SB 10.1.28, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Krsna  explained - 'As I have already explained, I am not very much interested in family life or love between husband and wife. By nature, I am not very fond of family life, wife, children, home and opulences. 

As My devotees are always neglectful of all these worldly possessions, I am also like that. Actually, I am interested in self realization; that gives Me pleasure, and not this family life.' 

After submitting His statement, Lord Kṛṣṇa suddenly stopped.

The great authority Śukadeva Gosvāmī remarks that Kṛṣṇa almost always passed His time with Rukmiṇī, and Rukmiṇī was a bit proud to be so fortunate that Kṛṣṇa never left her even for a moment. 

Kṛṣṇa, however, does not like any of His devotees to be proud. As soon as a devotee becomes so, by some tactic He cuts down that pride. 

In this case also, Kṛṣṇa said many things which were hard for Rukmiṇī to hear. She could only conclude that although she was proud of her position, Kṛṣṇa could be separated from her at any moment.

Rukmiṇī was conscious that her husband was not an ordinary human being. 

He was the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the master of the three worlds. 

By the way He was speaking, she was afraid of being separated from the Lord, for she had never heard such harsh words from Kṛṣṇa before. 

Thus she became perplexed with fear of separation, and her heart began to palpitate. 

Without replying to a word of Kṛṣṇa's statement, she simply cried in great anxiety, as if drowning in an ocean of grief. 

She silently scratched the floor with her toenails, which reflected reddish light on the floor. 

The tears from her eyes mixed with the black cosmetic ointment from her eyelids and dropped down, washing the kuṅkuma and saffron from her breasts. 

Choked up on account of great anxiety, unable to speak even a word, she kept her head downward and remained standing just like a stick. 

Due to extremely painful fear and lamentation, she lost all her powers of reason and became weak, her body losing so much weight that the bangles on her wrists became slack. 

The cāmara with which she was serving Kṛṣṇa immediately fell from her hand. Her brain and memory became puzzled, and she lost consciousness. 

The nicely combed hair on her head scattered here and there, and she fell down straight, like a banana tree cut down by a whirlwind." (Krsna Book 60)

Srila Prabhupada -  "Śrī Īśopaniṣad points out that one who worships the demigods and attains to their material planets still remains in the darkest region of the universe. The whole universe is covered by the gigantic material elements; it is just like a coconut covered by a shell and half-filled with water. 

Since its covering is airtight, the darkness within is dense, and therefore the sun and the moon are required for illumination. Outside the universe is the vast and unlimited brahmajyoti expansion, which is filled with Vaikuṇṭhalokas. 

The biggest and highest planet in the brahmajyoti is Kṛṣṇaloka, or Goloka Vṛndāvana, where the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, resides. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa never leaves Kṛṣṇaloka. Although He dwells there with His eternal associates, He is omnipresent throughout the complete material and spiritual cosmic manifestations. This fact has already been explained in Mantra Four. The Lord is present everywhere, just like the sun, yet He is situated in one place, just as the sun is situated in its own undeviating orbit. 

The problems of life cannot be solved simply by going to the moon planet or to some other planet above or below it. Therefore Śrī Īśopaniṣad advises us not to bother with any destination within this dark material universe, but to try to get out of it and reach the effulgent kingdom of God. 

There are many pseudo worshipers who become religionists only for the sake of name and fame. 

Such pseudo religionists do not wish to get out of this universe and reach the spiritual sky. 

They only want to maintain the status quo in the material world under the garb of worshiping the Lord. 

The atheists and impersonalists lead such foolish pseudo religionists into the darkest regions by preaching the cult of atheism. 

The atheist directly denies the existence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the impersonalists support the atheists by stressing the impersonal aspect of the Supreme Lord." (Sri Isopanisad 12, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "Thus the Lord is always engaged in transcendental loving activities with His spiritual associates in the various relationships of śānta

(neutrality), dāsya (servitorship), sakhya (friendship), vātsalya (parental affection) mādhurya (conjugal love).

Since it is said that Lord Kṛṣṇa never leaves Vṛndāvana-dhāma, one may ask how He manages the affairs of the creation. 

This is answered in the Bhagavad-gītā (13.14-18)-

"The Lord pervades the entire material creation by His plenary part known as the Paramātmā, or Supersoul. Although the Lord personally has nothing to do with material creation, maintenance and destruction, He causes all these things to be done by His plenary expansion, the Paramātmā." 

Every living entity is known as ātmā, soul, and the principal ātmā who controls them all is Paramātmā, the Supersoul. This system of God realization is a great science. 

The materialistic sāṅkhya-yogīs can only analyze and meditate on the twenty-four factors of the material creation, for they have very little information of the puruṣa, the Lord. 

And the impersonal transcendentalists are simply bewildered by the glaring effulgence of the brahmajyoti. 

If one wants to see the Absolute Truth in full, one has to penetrate beyond the twenty-four material elements and the glaring effulgence as well. 

Śrī Īśopaniṣad points toward this direction, praying for the removal of the hiraṇmaya-pātra, the dazzling covering of the Lord.

Unless this covering is removed so one can perceive the real face of the Personality of Godhead, factual realization of the Absolute Truth can never be achieved." (Sri Isopanisad 15, Purport)

Srila Prabhupada - "There is no second book in the whole world which contains so full of knowledge. So jñāna. And vairāgya also. In spite of all the property of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa doesn't care for this material world. He is busy in the spiritual world. 

Rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī. He's busy in Vṛndāvana. He has many servants. 

Just like big men has got many secretaries, servants, they look after, similarly, in this material world. His representatives—Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśvara—they are managing the affairs of this whole universe. 

But He's enjoying in Vṛndāvana. Jaya rādhā-mādhava kuñja-bihārī. He has no concern. He doesn't care what is happening here. But also it does not mean that He doesn't care, but He has no anxiety how the things are being managed. 

When it is mismanaged, then sometimes Kṛṣṇa comes in His Vāsudeva (Visnu-tattva) form. Not the original Kṛṣṇa. Original Kṛṣṇa never leaves Vṛndāvana. Padam ekaṁ na gacchati. He's always in His abode.

cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-

lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam

lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ

govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi. (Bs. 5.29)

He is very much adhered to His cows. Surabhīr abhipālayantam. And He's surrounded by hundreds and thousands of goddesses of fortune, these gopīs. He is surrounded. Lakṣmī sahasra śata sambhrama sevyamānam (Bs. 5.29). 

We are praying for the goddess of fortune to have some favor, but in the spiritual world, Kṛṣṇa is served by hundreds and thousands of goddess of fortune. This is Kṛṣṇa's position." (Lecture on BG, Ch 2 text 1 - Ahmedabad, Dec 7, 1972)

Srila Prabhupada  - "From another point of view, because Kṛṣṇa never leaves Vṛndāvana, all the forms of Kṛṣṇa that appear elsewhere are His expansions."(BG, As It Is Ch 10 text 37)

Srila Prabhupada - "Kṛṣṇa is the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Baladeva is Kṛṣṇa's immediate expansion. Both Lord Kṛṣṇa and Baladeva appeared as sons of Vasudeva, so both of Them may be called Vāsudeva. From another point of view, because Kṛṣṇa never leaves Vṛndāvana, all the forms of Kṛṣṇa that appear elsewhere are His expansions." (BG, Ch 10 text 37, Purport)

Also the jiva-souls (marginal living entities) have existed for "infinity" which means they are beginningless and endless and were NEVER created.

Bhagavad Gita As It Is 1983 correct edition, Chapter 2 text 12-

"Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be." (BG Ch 2 text 12)

Bhagavad Gita As It Is (1983 corrected edition), Chapter 2 text 20-

"For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain." (BG Ch 2 text 20)

Please read Prabhupada's 1983 edition of Bhagavad Gita As It Is.***.