Taking Shelter of the Hearing Process.

          from Mahananda dasa

Recently on an online forum one member there expressed his confusion over the conflicting ideas in Iskcon circles about the soul's fall. He sincerely asked..."Hare Krsna Iskcon says we fell from Vaikuntha, but there are many devotees that say we never been there! because nobody can fall from Vaikuntha. So I am confused. Then where are we coming from? Then 'Back home, back to godhead' has no meaning! Is there anyone who can clear this out? thanks!"

Is there actually anyone who can "clear this out" for him? it is  confusing when one hears different conflicting ideas about the same subject, especially for a "young" devotee starting out in Krsna consciousness.  Some have given very elaborate arguments to support their idea that we didn't come from Krsna Loka and have been here forever. These ideas are more than a little discouraging. But if you understand the real process of receiving transcendental knowledge you can be safe from these many pitfalls that lie on your path, such as hearing from the wrong source.

Religion and transcendental knowledge are enunciated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead exclusively, and cannot be manufactured in the teeny brains of the logicians and scholars. Transcendental knowledge does not manifest in our brains. It manifests on the lips of the Supreme Godhead and is passed down through realized souls who add and subtract nothing, and all that is required is to hear submissively from such souls.

Therefore, to be safe, just hear about the soul's position from Srila Prabhupada whose explanation is empowered by Krsna and above mistakes, because in the Absolute realm there is no difference between Krsna and His name or His instructions or transcendental philosophy, and the pure devotee who repeats them. In the post below this one I have given Srila Prabhupada's authorized lecture on the subject. Just understand from his words and you will be safe from the influence of logitians and speculators, whose words will only further bind you to this material world. See The Soul's fall below by Srila Prabhupada.