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Category

Category:God's Looking

Theme Analysis

The philosophical essence of this category explores the dynamic, multi-faceted nature of the Supreme Personality of Godhead's vision or "looking." According to Vedic cosmology, the entire material creation is initiated not by physical contact, but simply by Mahā-Viṣṇu looking over His material energy. Within the heart of every living entity, the Lord expands as the localized Paramātmā, acting as the supreme witness or onlooker who perfectly looks after all our activities and karmic records. Yet, God's looking is also profoundly affectionate. Despite our rebellion, He kindly looks after our general maintenance, and for a fully surrendered soul, He looks after their spiritual and material necessities with supreme, intimate care. The scriptures vividly describe the absolute, transcendental nature of how the Lord looks. His eternal form never ages, always looking like a fresh youth even when He has millions of descendants. Depending on His pastimes, His look can be impossibly fierce, like Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, or laden with sweet, smiling affection, as He looked upon Kardama Muni. Even in His childhood pastimes in Vṛndāvana, looking stealthily to steal butter, or as Lord Jagannātha looking left and right during the Ratha-yātrā, His divine looking completely captivates the hearts of His pure devotees.

  • The Glance of Creation: The material universe is not created by physical exertion. The Supreme Lord simply glances, or looks, over the dormant material energy, injecting it with the living entities and initiating the cosmic manifestation.
  • The Inner Witness: As the Paramātmā (Supersoul), the Lord sits in the heart as the objective onlooker. He is the ultimate witness, constantly looking after and recording the activities of the conditioned soul.
  • Looking After the Souls: God is the supreme maintainer. He mercifully looks after the maintenance of even the disobedient souls, while taking special, personal charge of looking after the necessities of His surrendered devotees.
  • The Transcendental Appearance: The Lord's body is absolute. He always looks like a beautiful, blooming youth. Furthermore, His gaze is incredibly potent—capable of striking absolute terror into demons or displaying overwhelming mercy and affection to His servants.
  • The Pastimes of Looking: In His intimate, personal pastimes, the Lord's physical act of looking—whether sneaking glances as a toddler, or gazing out from His chariot as Lord Jagannātha—is a source of eternal spiritual bliss for His associates.

Subcategories

This category has the following 5 subcategories, out of 5 total.

Pages in category "God's Looking"

The following 16 pages are in this category, out of 16 total.