Category:Natural Function
Theme Analysis
The concept of a natural function applies profoundly to the living entity's eternal constitutional position, known in Vedic literature as sanātana-dharma. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because the living entity is an inseparable part and parcel of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, the soul's inherent duty is to render loving service to the supreme whole. Just as a hand or a leg is naturally meant to serve the complete body, the soul is designed to serve the Lord. Real religion, therefore, is not a sectarian label or an artificial imposition, but simply the revival of this dormant, natural function.
Due to the contamination of material energy (māyā), the conditioned soul forgets this primary business and instead tries to find satisfaction through misdirected avenues. People attempt to expand their consciousness socially, communally, nationally, or universally, endlessly hankering for a fulfillment that constantly eludes them. This desperate search is merely the soul's natural function looking for its true object. Once the living entity takes to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, the illusion of difficulty vanishes, and the soul finds complete and perfect satisfaction.
Furthermore, the concept of natural function extends to the workings of the material cosmos. Atheists and materialists often claim that there is no God and that the universe operates through blind, automatic natural functions. However, the Bhagavad-gītā clearly states that all modes of material nature and cosmic laws act exclusively under the supreme supervision of the Lord. Recognizing this divine direction and consciously choosing to engage in one's eternal service is the ultimate perfection of the human form of life.
- The Constitutional Position: The inherent, natural function of the living entity is to serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, just as a limb serves the whole body.
- Misdirected Hankering: Conditioned souls try to expand their consciousness through mundane philanthropy or nationalism, which is simply a misdirected search for their natural function.
- The Illusion of Difficulty: Serving God is natural and joyful; it only appears difficult because the soul is covered by the contaminations of material energy.
- Supreme Supervision: Cosmic natural functions are not blind or automatic; they operate strictly under the direction and supervision of the Supreme Lord.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Natural Function - The Eternal Religion of the Soul.
Pages in category "Natural Function"
The following 16 pages are in this category, out of 16 total.
A
- A living being, being the part and parcel of the supreme whole purusam purnam, has as his natural function to serve the Supreme Being, just as the parts and parcels of the body, or the limbs of the body, are naturally meant to serve the complete body
- A living entity is happily the part and parcel of the Lord, and thus his natural function is to render immediate service to the Lord. BG 1972 Preface
- As stated in the Bhagavad-gita, the modes of nature act under His direction only and as such no natural functions are blind or automatic. The power behind the activities is the supervision of the Lord and thus He is never inactive as is wrongly conceived
- Atmanam sarvato rakset tato dharmam tato dhanam. First of all you try to protect yourself, then take to real religion, natural function of the atma
T
- They say there is no God, but how these things, the natural functions, are being performed strictly, without any deviation
- To engage in the service of the Lord is the natural function of the living entity, but because he is covered by the influence of maya, the material energy, he thinks it to be a very difficult task
- To give birth to a child is the natural function of a woman, and therefore a woman becomes more and more beautiful as she gives birth to one child after another
W
- We are trying to expand our feeling socially, communally or nationally or internationally or universally or some other way. This is going on. We try to do it. That is our natural function, especially in the human form of life - expanded consciousness
- What is religion. In the name of religion, so many things are going on, but the real religion is that we must know that our natural function is to render service to the Lord. That's all. That is real religion
Y
- You are hankering after satisfaction, full satisfaction. That full satisfaction can be obtained only when you love God. That is the natural function
- Your natural function is to serve Krsna. That's all. You have no other business. That is dharma. No other business. When we understand this convincingly, then we are situated in our religion