Is the jīva originally in śānta rasa?

Question: I read your recent FAQ, and have questions on jīva-tattva. Is the jīva in śānta rasa in the beginning?

Answer: No. śānta rasa is experienced upon attaining perfection in sādhana bhakti. It is one type of rasa.

Question: Is the jīva in a neutral state in the beginning, when he neither enjoys nor suffers?

Answer: No. There is no beginning to the jīva’s enjoyment and suffering.

Question: Does the jīva become Lord Brahmā first?

Answer: You have to understand the meaning of the term ‘no beginning’. There is no beginning to its enjoyment and suffering, so where is the question of ‘first’?

Question: Has the jīva been Lord Brahmā before in a previous life?

Answer: There is no such thing as first becoming Lord Brahmā and then going through other bodies.

Question: Does the jīva have the seed of material enjoyment inside of him?

Answer: Not in the pure jīva, no.

Question: Does the jīva have indifference to the service of Hari?

Answer: Not in the pure jīva, no.

Question: Is there a desire for impersonalism in the jīva?

Answer: Not in the pure jīva, no.

Question: What do you mean by ‘pure jīva’?

Answer: I mean the pure ātmā, separated from the mind/body complex.

Question: Afer liberation?

Answer: No. I am talking about the qualities of the ātmā.

Question: Before acquiring the mind/body?

Answer: No. Milk has water in it. It is possible to talk about the qualities of the water even as it is part of the milk. For this, the water does not have to be taken out from the milk nor does it have to be ‘originally’ separate. Similarly the Bhagavad-Gītā explains the qualities of the pure ātmā as separate from the mind/body in the 13th chapter, 2nd chapter, and many other places.

Question: What type of desire is in the ātmā?

Answer: The ātmā has the capacity to desire, but there are no specific desires in the ātmā.

Question: Is there proof of this?

Answer: Verse 13.7 in the Gītā states that ichchhā or desire is part of the body.

Question: Is there a direct propensity to serve the Lord in the ātmā which remains in a dormant state.

Answer: No.

Question: Then why is the ātmā called a dāsa? Sir, you must have heard about dāsa bhuto harer eva.

Anwer: dāsa in that statement means ‘dependent on Hari’. It does not mean ‘direct servant of Hari’.

Question: Is there some proof of that?

Answer: Study this article.

Question: Is the jīva or ātmā born of the marginal potency?

Answer: The ātmā is never born. Surely you know this as it is the first instruction of the Gītā.

Question: Sir, all this was taught by a great ācārya in his books. Why did he write that? Can you help me reconcile?

Answer: You should ask his followers. What do you want me to reconcile?

Question: Reconcile with Goswamis’ writings, or maybe explain them in another way?

Answer: I dont know how to reconcile truth with untruth.

Question: But why did he write these things?

Answer: I don’t know. And I have no interest to know.