Matter Comes from Life,
Gurukripa and Hridayananda Swamis arrived back from Calcutta. Hridayananda Maharaja has to wait for his visa to go to Bangladesh. Gurukripa Maharaja paid only a quick visit to the boat before deciding to return to Mayapur to take advantage of Srila Prabhupada's association.
During the massage today, Prabhupada heard a letter and article entitled "Matter Comes from Life," written by Madhava dasa, another of our Ph.D. scientists. The article, which will be published in Back to Godhead magazine, establishes scientifically that matter comes from life. Madhava is confident that this point can be proven to the scientists by utilizing new-found experimental evidence, documentation, and many logical arguments.
He also submitted a list of four questions that he hoped Prabhupada would answer because, as he put it, "You are sat, cit, ananda and are thus full of transcendental knowledge."
The first question was, "Jung has said that matter is just a symbol (or name) that we apply to Reality, but we may as well call it spirit or consciousness or any other name. Is this view consistent with our philosophy?"
Srila Prabhupada replied, "Matter originally is spirit. And when spirit is not distinctly understood, that is matter. Just like a tree is also a manifestation of spirit soul, but the consciousness is covered. When the tree is cut, it does not protest. But the moving entity has stronger consciousness than the tree. There is consciousness in the tree though. Also consciousness in a dormant state is matter; consciousness in a completely developed state is spirit. Matter is the symbol of undeveloped consciousness."
His second question was in regard to the function of the mind. "Does thinking occur in words, pictures, or what?"
"Thinking is a subtle form of matter," Prabhupada answered. "Just like it says in Bhagavad-gita: bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh ..." Like the ether is subtle, the mind is more subtle, subtle form of matter."
The third question concerned the external world, which we perceive only through our senses, and thus the mind, and, ultimately, the consciousness. "What does this say about where things are actually happening? Is it in the mind, out there in the world, or in the spiritual world?"
Srila Prabhupada wrote, "Everything is in the spiritual world. Krishna is the sum total of spirit, and everything is coming from Him. Matter, spirit, everything comes from Him. He is the Supreme Life, the origin of spirit and life. Therefore matter emanates from life. Nityo nityanam ... He is the Supreme Consciousness of all other consciousnesses."
Finally Madhava asked for direction on how to prove that the moon is farther away than the sun.
"The moon is situated 1,600,000 miles above the sun," Prabhupada replied. "You may refer to the Fifth Canto and read carefully."
Prabhupada is extremely eager for this scientific preaching to be developed. He told Madhava that it must be recognized that we are not just a religious sect.
Recently, Madhava taught a course at the prestigious MIT, in Boston, entitled "Truth Beyond Relativity." The course was based on understanding the three aspects of the Absolute, and it was so well received that eight scientists took copies of Bhagavad-gita. This kind of news delights Prabhupada, and he ended his reply by telling him, "I am very much pleased with your program. Thank you very much."
Prabhupada also stated to Madhava that he wants our ISKCON scientists to publish their research articles in karmi science magazines as well. "If they don't accept what we say, we will go on explaining. If they do accept, then that is their benefit and our victory."
Regarding his answer to Madhava's question about how to distinguish between spirit and matter, I questioned Srila Prabhupada further on it in mid-afternoon.
He told me, "Yes, everything is Krishna's energy. Krishna is the Supreme Spirit, and everything is coming from Him. Krishna is everything, sarva-bhuta-stham atmanam. Just like skin and fingernail both grow from the same source. Yet in one there is feeling and in the other there is none. One can be cut and the other cannot. But it is the same energy, coming from the same source. Matter comes from light, and that light is the brahmajyoti, which is Krishna's bodily effulgence."
As the massage continued, Prabhupada listened to a compilation of the best reviews of his books, including ones from Oxford and Harvard Universities.
Hearing these reviews, he became very enlivened. He enthusiastically told Dayananda and Hridayananda Maharaja that he is eager to publicize his books here in India. He wants a special office set up exclusively for this purpose. He said that he will give personal direction if a good man would take up the engagement. Dayananda was so inspired, he immediately volunteered himself. And Prabhupada accepted.
Acyutananda and Yasodanandana Swamis arrived in the evening from South India. They gave Srila Prabhupada an encouraging account of their successful preaching activities in many cities. The leaders of the Ramanuja- and Madhva-sampradayas received them well. They even got letters of appreciation from them commending the work that Srila Prabhupada is doing and clearly stating their acceptance of his disciples as genuine Vaishnavas.
Reference: Transcendental Diary Volume 1 by Hari Sauri Dasa
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