Mandala
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura:
In Goloka, which is manifested by Lord Baladeva, and in Vaikuntha, which is manifested by Lord Sankarsana, a partial representation of Baladeva, numberless individual souls are eternal associates of the Lord. There they taste the nectar of worshipping and serving the Lord. They are always inclined to spiritual things. They seek the happiness of worshipping the Lord. They are always eager to serve the Lord. Empowered by the Lord's jiva-shakti and cit-shakti, they always have great spiritual strength. They never touch Maya. They do not even know that a potency called maya-shakti exists. Staying in the middle of the circle of the spiritual world, they are very far away from Maya. They always swim in the ocean of pleasure that is worshipping and serving the Lord. They know nothing of suffering, material pleasure or selfish pleasure. They are eternally liberated. Love for the Lord is their entire life. What are grief, death, and fear for them? They do not know those things.
When Lord Karanodakasayi Visnu glances at Maya, Lord Karanodakasayi Visnu sends numberless atomic spirit souls situated in the tatastha state of existence into the material world. Because they are now on Maya's side, the many creations of Maya now enter the pathway of their eyes. These souls have all the qualities of the soul which are described in the scriptures (eternity, knowledge and innate blissfulness). However, because they are atomic in size and coming from the borderland of matter and spirit (tatastha) they must place their glance on either the spiritual world or the material world. The individual souls are very weak. How can this not be? These souls did not obtain the spiritual strength that comes from the Lord's mercy, the mercy that comes from properly serving Him. That is why these souls develop a desire to enjoy the pleasures that Maya offers. These souls enter Maya's world, and there Maya imprisons them for what seems an eternity. When these souls again turn to spiritual life and engage in service to the Lord, they can attain the Lord's mercy which will give them spiritual strength. Then they can return to the spiritual world. Oh, I am very unfortunate! I have forgotten that I am eternally a servant of Lord Krishna. I have entered Maya's world, and here Maya keeps me imprisoned. I have forgotten my own spiritual welfare. I am very unfortunate!
from chapter sixteen of Jaiva Dharma
In Goloka, which is manifested by Lord Baladeva, and in Vaikuntha, which is manifested by Lord Sankarsana, a partial representation of Baladeva, numberless individual souls are eternal associates of the Lord. There they taste the nectar of worshipping and serving the Lord. They are always inclined to spiritual things. They seek the happiness of worshipping the Lord. They are always eager to serve the Lord. Empowered by the Lord's jiva-shakti and cit-shakti, they always have great spiritual strength. They never touch Maya. They do not even know that a potency called maya-shakti exists. Staying in the middle of the circle of the spiritual world, they are very far away from Maya. They always swim in the ocean of pleasure that is worshipping and serving the Lord. They know nothing of suffering, material pleasure or selfish pleasure. They are eternally liberated. Love for the Lord is their entire life. What are grief, death, and fear for them? They do not know those things.
When Lord Karanodakasayi Visnu glances at Maya, Lord Karanodakasayi Visnu sends numberless atomic spirit souls situated in the tatastha state of existence into the material world. Because they are now on Maya's side, the many creations of Maya now enter the pathway of their eyes. These souls have all the qualities of the soul which are described in the scriptures (eternity, knowledge and innate blissfulness). However, because they are atomic in size and coming from the borderland of matter and spirit (tatastha) they must place their glance on either the spiritual world or the material world. The individual souls are very weak. How can this not be? These souls did not obtain the spiritual strength that comes from the Lord's mercy, the mercy that comes from properly serving Him. That is why these souls develop a desire to enjoy the pleasures that Maya offers. These souls enter Maya's world, and there Maya imprisons them for what seems an eternity. When these souls again turn to spiritual life and engage in service to the Lord, they can attain the Lord's mercy which will give them spiritual strength. Then they can return to the spiritual world. Oh, I am very unfortunate! I have forgotten that I am eternally a servant of Lord Krishna. I have entered Maya's world, and here Maya keeps me imprisoned. I have forgotten my own spiritual welfare. I am very unfortunate!
from chapter sixteen of Jaiva Dharma
