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Well, then, how is the individual soul eternal if it has a beginning?

Expressions researched:
"Well, then, how is the individual soul eternal if it has a beginning"

Conversations and Morning Walks

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

No, we say there is no beginning. As God has no beginning, soul has no beginning.
Morning Walk -- May 15, 1976, Honolulu:

Prabhupāda: God created the soul and the matter also. Has he discussed anything?

Hayagrīva: No.

Prabhupāda: God created everything. God created soul and the matter.

Hayagrīva: The individual soul.

Prabhupāda: Ah.

Hayagrīva: Well, then, how is the individual soul eternal if it has a beginning?

Prabhupāda: No, we say there is no beginning. As God has no beginning, soul has no beginning.

Hayagrīva: No beginning, yes.

Prabhupāda: Na jāyate na mriyate vā. That is the distinction between matter and soul.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: They counter that if God is all-powerful, He can do anything. So why not He can create a soul and that soul can then be eternal from that point?

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: The Christian may argue that God is all-powerful, so God has created the soul, and from that point the soul is eternal.

Prabhupāda: Soul is eternal, we admit.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: But only from that point, not in the past.

Prabhupāda: Not in the past?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Yes, because according to Biblical philosophy you only have one lifetime in this world.

Prabhupāda: Then who goes to heaven?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Persons who adopt the principles.

Prabhupāda: And if one life, then who goes to heaven and who goes to hell?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Very few go to heaven.

Prabhupāda: Anyone, if he goes to hell or heaven, then why do you say "one life"? Then another life. Otherwise what is the meaning of going to heaven or hell?

Hari-śauri: No. They get one chance to good or bad, and then finish.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Hari-śauri: They get one chance. Do good or bad. Then you either go to heaven or to hell. But you don't get another chance.

Prabhupāda: But if he goes heaven means there is another life. How do you say "one life"? This is defective philosophy.

Page Title:Well, then, how is the individual soul eternal if it has a beginning?
Compiler:SunitaS, Rishab
Created:09 of Aug, 2011
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=1, Let=0
No. of Quotes:1