Are We Free?

(written on March 16, 2020)

(References: BG 14.19)

The freewill of the living entity is ultimately comprised of one decision: either to choose to serve Krishna, or to choose to not serve Krishna. Srila Prabhupada talks about this in the book Teachings of Lord Kapila, in which he says, “It is our constitutional position to serve someone, but when we do not serve Kṛṣṇa, we serve māyā.” Srila Prabhupada continues to explain how if one chooses not to serve Krsna, then they will be serving maya. This may be in the form of serving family, serving for the nation, or if one does not have any one else to serve, they serve dogs and cats. The nature of the living entity is to serve, and so by not choosing Krishna, the living entity is not free. In fact, the living entity is imprisoned by the three modes of material nature, without any clue of how to escape. Srila Prabhupada says in the purport of BG 14.19, “Actually, the living entity is not the performer of different activities. He is forced to act because he is situated in a particular type of body, conducted by some particular mode of material nature.”

One might come up with the argument that pure devotional service for anyone is pure, and that it does not need to be for Krsna. However, it is clearly explained in Chaitanya Charitamrita that pure devotional service is extremely specific. In Cc. Mad 19.167 the translation states, “When first-class devotional service develops, one must be devoid of all material desires, knowledge obtained by monistic philosophy, and fruitive action. The devotee must constantly serve Kṛṣṇa favorably, as Kṛṣṇa desires.” According to this verse there are three defining characteristics of pure devotional service: it is only for Krsna, it is an active engagement, and it is executed with favorable intent.

So, even though people are constantly serving something, it does not count as pure devotional service if it is not service for Krsna. Additionally, when people are serving family, friends, pets, etc, they are serving the material nature, because all bodies are material. Hence, the living entities who do not serve Krsna and choose to serve maya are not free.