Vedic Philosophy: Definition of Causality

(written on October 4, 2019)

(References: SB 3.26, and SB 12.4.28)

The concept of cause and effect is also known as the principle of causality. Causality is the idea that the cause is responsible for the effect, and the effect is dependent on the cause. Cause and effect are interrelated; this means that without the cause, the effect cannot exist and without observing the effect, the cause cannot be perceived. Srila Prabhupada gives an example of this in his purport of SB 12.4.28 that, “the burning nature of fire cannot be perceived without observing the effect of fire, such as a burning object or ashes.” Since the cause and effect are interrelated and relative to each other, they are not on the Absolute platform, and hence they have a beginning and an end and are illusory.

In the spiritual world, Lord Krishna is the cause of all causes but he has no beginning or end. Lord Krishna is the Absolute cause and he is neither material nor illusory. This is directly stated in Brahma Samhita 5.1, “Krsna who is known as Govinda is the Supreme Godhead. He has an eternal blissful spiritual body. He is the origin of all. He has no other origin and He is the prime cause of all causes.” Hence, Srila Prabhupad says that, “Lord Kṛṣṇa’s opulences and potencies are absolute reality, beyond the interdependence of material cause and effect.”