Now, as far as the living entities are concerned, they are impregnated into this material nature, and as a result of their past deeds they take different positions. Thus the activities of this material world begin. The activities of the different species of living beings are begun from the very moment of the creation. It is not that all is evolved. The different species of life are created immediately along with the universe. Men, animals, beasts, birds – everything is simultaneously created, because whatever desires the living entities had at the last annihilation are again manifested. It is clearly indicated here by the word avaśam that the living entities have nothing to do with this process. The state of being in their past life in the past creation is simply manifested again, and all this is done simply by His will. This is the inconceivable potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And after creating different species of life, He has no connection with them. The creation takes place to accommodate the inclinations of the various living entities, and so the Lord does not become involved with it.

Objectives

By the end of the lesson students should be able:

1. To state that the material world is a manifestation of the Supreme’s inferior energy.
2. To explain that at creation the material energy is released as the mahat-tattva.
3. To describe the entry of the Lord as Mahā-viṣṇu into the mahat-tattva.
4. To explain Mahā-viṣṇu’s position in the Causal Ocean and his breathing out innumerable universes.
5. To state that into each universe the Lord enters as Garbhodaka-śāyī Viṣṇu.
6. To describe the further manifestation as Kṣīrodaka-śāyī Viṣṇu and that this Viṣṇu enters into everything, even the atom.
7. To affirm the purport’s statement: “He enters into everything.”
8. To explain how living entities are impregnated into material nature and take positions according to past deeds.
9. To show that activities of the material world begin immediately at creation.
10. To explain that different species are created simultaneously with the universe (not evolved later).
11. To relate the simultaneous creation of men, animals, birds, etc., to desires the living entities had at the last annihilation.
12. To interpret the word avaśam as indicating living entities have no causal role in this process.
13. To explain that past-life states are simply manifested again by the Lord’s will.
14. To appreciate that this demonstrates the inconceivable potency of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
15. To explain that after creating the various species the Lord remains without connection or involvement in their activities.
16. To conclude that creation is arranged to accommodate the inclinations of living entities while the Lord Himself stays detached.

Key points / Takeaway