Question: In a recent discussion about our original, eternal spiritual form and relationships as compared to our temporary material forms and relationships, I was asked “What are spiritual senses?”, that is, of what are they composed and how do they interact with the spiritual equivalent of the “objects (or Object, so to speak) of the senses”. I gave an answer that satisfied the inquirer, but did not fully satisfy me. Would you kindly answer this question? Thank you.
Answer by Romapada Swami: Our present material senses are simply a covering upon our original, spiritual senses – I presume that your own answer comprised of this understanding. Srila Prabhupada gave the analogy that the shirt and coat are designed with two hands which indicate that the person they are tailored for must have two hands also. Similarly, if the material body is a covering over the spirit soul, then the soul must possess spiritual senses similar to the material senses we know of.
Another way to think of this could be in terms of a person experiencing virtual reality — imagine a person entering a virtual world provided with ‘virtual’ extensions of the eyes, ears, hands and so on to perceive the virtual sights and sounds and interact with the virtual objects of this simulated experience, as for example in a simulated flight training program. It is possible that one would become so engrossed in this virtual world, rendered unable to interact with and even temporarily forget the reality outside! Our situation in this material world is quite similar. Once again when the original senses are restored from the covering of ‘hooked-on’ extensions, they can interact normally with spiritual reality.
The Caitanya Caritamrita (Cc Adi 5.53) states that “The earth, water, fire, air, and ether of Vaikuntha are all spiritual. Material elements are not found there.” From this statement, we can understand that the spiritual realm is also composed of variegated spiritual elements just as we experience in the material world. The difference is that the ingredients of material nature, viz. the material elements, senses and sense objects are described as separated energies of Krishna (Bhagavad Gita 7.4) whereas the elements in the spiritual world also belong to the same Absolute Spiritual nature, having the qualities of sac-cid-ananda.
The material ingredients, combined with the three modes of material nature, make the living entity forget Krishna by creating an appearance of illusory reality, but in the original, pure state, the spiritual senses can, without any encumbrance, perceive the Object of senses, viz, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His transcendental abode, paraphernalia and associates. There are many vivid examples of this in scriptures as in the history of how Narada Muni, in his previous life as the son of a maidservant, upon becoming purified of the contamination of the material modes, was able to perceive with his enlivened spiritual senses the Transcendental Form of the Lord and heard His transcendental voice. (See Srimad Bhagavatam 1.6.15-20)
