Question: I have a question related to Digest 144. If the Supreme Lord can expand himself into the tiny souls with separate individualities for His enjoyment, why do they have to be covered by the illusory energy? Does the covering not create a virtual entity with the particle of spirit being forgetful of its oneness with the Supreme in order for the living entity to display a separate individuality? I recall in another email it was said that even the soul does not belong to us as the only thing we have is our relationship with Krishna. Am I just a temporary instance in time with no factual existence?
Answer by Romapada Swami: This was also explained within the answer being referred to: the living entity does NOT have to be covered by illusory energy, but has the choice to do so, by choosing to enjoy independent of the Supreme Lord.
The spirit soul is eternally individual, either under the covering of illusory energy or under the shelter of Krishna’s internal energy — but in either case we exist with our individual separate identity. This is affirmed by Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-gita 2.12.
Once again, we DO NOT HAVE TO be in forgetfulness in order to display separate individuality. The residents of Vaikuntha are eternally rendering loving devotional service to the Lord in their individual capacities in the liberated state. And since all spirit souls are expansions from Krishna, this eternal loving service is the real purpose to be fulfilled by our existence also.
