{"id":157,"date":"2009-08-03T12:42:05","date_gmt":"2009-08-03T11:42:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/?p=157"},"modified":"2009-08-03T12:42:05","modified_gmt":"2009-08-03T11:42:05","slug":"as-it-is","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/2009\/08\/03\/as-it-is\/","title":{"rendered":"As it is"},"content":{"rendered":"

Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be<\/strong>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In the Vedas, in the Katha Upanisad as well as in the Svetasvatara Upanisad, it is said that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the maintainer of innumerable living entities, in terms of their different situations according to individual work and reaction of work. That Supreme Personality of Godhead is also, by His plenary portions, alive in the heart of every living entity. Only saintly persons who can see, within and without, the same Supreme Lord, can actually attain to perfect and eternal peace.<\/p>\n

nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam
\neko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman
\ntam atma-stham ye ‘nupasyanti dhiras
\ntesam santih sasvati netaresam
\n(Katha 2.2.13)<\/p>\n

The same Vedic truth given to Arjuna is given to all persons in the world who pose themselves as very learned but factually have but a poor fund of knowledge. The Lord says clearly that He Himself, Arjuna, and all the kings who are assembled on the battlefield, are eternally individual beings and that the Lord is eternally the maintainer of the individual living entities both in their conditioned as well as in their liberated situations. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the supreme individual person, and Arjuna, the Lord’s eternal associate, and all the kings assembled there are individual, eternal persons. It is not that they did not exist as individuals in the past, and it is not that they will not remain eternal persons. Their individuality existed in the past, and their individuality will continue in the future without interruption. Therefore, there is no cause for lamentation for anyone.
\nThe Mayavadi theory that after liberation the individual soul, separated by the covering of maya or illusion, will merge into the impersonal Brahman and lose its individual existence is not supported herein by Lord Krsna, the supreme authority. Nor is the theory that we only think of individuality in the conditioned state supported herein. Krsna clearly says herein that in the future also the individuality of the Lord and others, as it is confirmed in the Upanisads, will continue eternally. This statement of Krsna is authoritative because Krsna cannot be subject to illusion. If individuality is not a fact, then Krsna would not have stressed it so much–even for the future. The Mayavadi may argue that the individuality spoken of by Krsna is not spiritual, but material. Even accepting the argument that the individuality is material, then how can one distinguish Krsna’s individuality? Krsna affirms His individuality in the past and confirms His individuality in the future also. He has confirmed His individuality in many ways, and impersonal Brahman has been declared to be subordinate to Him. Krsna has maintained spiritual individuality all along; if He is accepted as an ordinary conditioned soul in individual consciousness, then His Bhagavad-gita has no value as authoritative scripture. A common man with all the four defects of human frailty is unable to teach that which is worth hearing. The Gita is above such literature. No mundane book compares with the Bhagavad-gita. When one accepts Krsna as an ordinary man, the Gita loses all importance. The Mayavadi argues that the plurality mentioned in this verse is conventional and that it refers to the body. But previous to this verse such a bodily conception is already condemned. After condemning the bodily conception of the living entities, how was it possible for Krsna to place a conventional proposition on the body again? Therefore, individuality is maintained on spiritual grounds and is thus confirmed by great acaryas like Sri Ramanuja and others. It is clearly mentioned in many places in the Gita that this spiritual individuality is understood by those who are devotees of the Lord. Those who are envious of Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead have no bona fide access to the great literature. The nondevotee’s approach to the teachings of the Gita is something like bees licking on a bottle of honey. One cannot have a taste of honey unless one opens the bottle. Similarly, the mysticism of the Bhagavad-gita can be understood only by devotees, and no one else can taste it, as it is stated in the Fourth Chapter of the book. Nor can the Gita be touched by persons who envy the very existence of the Lord. Therefore, the Mayavadi explanation of the Gita is a most misleading presentation of the whole truth. Lord Caitanya has forbidden us to read commentations made by the Mayavadis and warns that one who takes to such an understanding of the Mayavadi philosophy loses all power to understand the real mystery of the Gita. If individuality refers to the empirical universe, then there is no need of teaching by the Lord. The plurality of the individual soul and of the Lord is an eternal fact, and it is confirmed by the Vedas as above mentioned.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be. In the Vedas, in the Katha Upanisad as well as in the Svetasvatara Upanisad, it is said that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the maintainer of innumerable … Continue reading As it is<\/span> →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-musings"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6NRDR-2x","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":60649,"url":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/2016\/11\/19\/article-50-could-be-reversed-government-may-argue-in-brexit-case\/","url_meta":{"origin":157,"position":0},"title":"Article 50 could be reversed, government may argue in Brexit case","author":"diana Stone","date":"November 19, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Lawyers consider potential change of tack for supreme court challenge to ruling that MPs must vote to trigger EU exit","rel":"","context":"In "Musings"","block_context":{"text":"Musings","link":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/category\/musings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Powered by Guardian.co.uk","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/image.guardian.co.uk\/sys-images\/Guardian\/Pix\/pictures\/2010\/03\/01\/poweredbyguardianBLACK.png?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":178909,"url":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/2025\/04\/29\/an-eventful-month\/","url_meta":{"origin":157,"position":1},"title":"An eventful month","author":"diana Stone","date":"April 29, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"A lot has happened. This week I don't have any rehearsals. My sister will try and visit from Wednesday if she is well enough. I will be carrying on with music doings today. Might get some new plants for the balcony tomorrow. And we did so fingers crossed. Strangely now\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Musings"","block_context":{"text":"Musings","link":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/category\/musings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20190521_143420-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20190521_143420-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20190521_143420-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20190521_143420-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/20190521_143420-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":120749,"url":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/2018\/06\/18\/i-may-have-finally-run-out-of-anything-worthwhile-to-say\/","url_meta":{"origin":157,"position":2},"title":"I may have finally run out of anything worthwhile to say","author":"diana Stone","date":"June 18, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"Since I have moved out of London I feel as if I am almost in a different country. It's very quiet at night and everything closes early. There's not much traffic most of the time and it feels a little like there is tumbleweed blowing down the street. Wow, it's\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "whatever"","block_context":{"text":"whatever","link":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/category\/history\/whatever\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":158845,"url":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/2020\/03\/23\/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-people-defined-on-medical-grounds-as-extremely-vulnerable-from-covid-19\/","url_meta":{"origin":157,"position":3},"title":"Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19","author":"diana Stone","date":"March 23, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Official advice on this link. https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19\/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19 This guidance is for people, including children, who are at very high risk of severe illness from coronavirus (COVID-19) because of an underlying health condition, and for their family, friends and carers. It is intended for use in situations where the extremely vulnerable person\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Musings"","block_context":{"text":"Musings","link":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/category\/musings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":83567,"url":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/2017\/06\/27\/dont-take-the-test\/","url_meta":{"origin":157,"position":4},"title":"Don’t take the test","author":"diana Stone","date":"June 27, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Well Facebook strikes again. Just out of curiosity I decided to take a test to see if I have a personality disorder. I answered all the questions properly and it said... Suspected Borderline Personality Disorder traits. Your results in detail: Met criteria according to DSM IV*: 7 Met minor characteristics\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Musings"","block_context":{"text":"Musings","link":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/category\/musings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":179383,"url":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/2025\/10\/16\/normal-service-will-be-resumed-shortly\/","url_meta":{"origin":157,"position":5},"title":"Normal Service Will Be Resumed Shortly","author":"diana Stone","date":"October 16, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Diana Stones Glasscage \u00b7 Come On Baby Feel Your Way I always tried to do no harm. But when I am feeling good it shows somehow and my light comes on and people are drawn to me... Funny as I am totally a gloom and doom merchant, living a life\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Musings"","block_context":{"text":"Musings","link":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/category\/musings\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/stagedisdant.png?fit=686%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/stagedisdant.png?fit=686%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/stagedisdant.png?fit=686%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=157"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":160,"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/157\/revisions\/160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=157"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=157"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/glass-cage.com\/dianas_blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=157"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}