Duality

Hare Krishna.

A couple of days ago I got some insights into one concept I was not quite clear about. Duality. His Grace SankirtanAnand Prabhu had come to the morning program. After the Mangal Arati, I asked him a question, in whose response was included this story of Adam and Eve! And in that story I got some insight into what is Duality!

Before telling you the story, let me offer my most humble obeisances to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada!

Here goes the story! It is from the Holy Bible. It is an allegory and teaches everyone about this important principle of Duality among other things. Adam and Eve were very happily living in the Kingdom of God. God had told them all this is your to enjoy! You can enjoy the flowers, the fruits, and so on.. Except that one apple there. That you should never eat! And Adam and Eve were very happy enjoying the opulences of the Kingdom of God and following this one
restriction.

But one day came there a serpant. And he asked Adam and Eve why they were not eating that apple. And they replied, "Well, God has forbidden us to eat it, so we dont eat it". But the serpant was very persuasive. He said, "You know, if you eat that apple, you will become God! And thats why God has told you not to eat. He doesnt want anyone else to become God".

And now, there arose envy in the hearts of Adam and Eve. And they said, "Oh! Is that so.. Lets eat that apple!" Eve ate first and then Adam did. And as soon as they did so, everything changed within their hearts... Suddenly thoughts that had never come to their minds, started coming. They started covering their bodies in shame (they were naked). They were feeling ashamed of being naked, despite the fact that they had lived all these years like that.

In essence, Duality arose in their hearts and minds! They started thinking in terms of right and wrong, good and bad, favourable and unfavourable. This is duality! Thn God came there and asked, "What happened?" And they replied. And God said, "I had warned you... but now because you have eaten the forbidden apple, you can no longer stay here. You will have to go to a place where there is Duality. Good and Bad, Happiness and Sorrow,... and so on.

Thus ends the story. The Forbidden Apple represents Envy for God! To want to become God! And the Serpant represents Maya! The story taught me that duality means the presence of two opposing entities like Happiness opposed by Distress. In the Kingdom of God, there is no question of Good and Bad. Everything is Good there. It is either Good, or Better, or more better and so on.. There is no Bad!

So, do we want to go back to the Kingdom of God!!

Your servant, Abhijit.