Material Jealousy & Transcendental Jealousy – Differences!
Radhika asked like this:
“Hare Krishna prabhuji, Dandvat Pranam: My question is that prabhuji, all the gunas in a jeeva is coming from Krishna. He is the ocean and we are the drop of that ocean so qualitatively same but quantitatively different. Krishna is not jealous if anyone then how did jealous come in us? Please help me understand. Your servant. P.S- I have checked all old posts but didnt find an answer to this question.”
REPLY:
We are qualitatively the same with Krishna, but quantitatively different. Then, how jealousy came to us?
This is your question.
Very nice question.
Krishna do not show Jealousy though He can show, but, Krishna’s devotees may have Jealousy even in the spiritual world.
Can’t you believe?
R
READ IN DETAIL BELOW:
MATERIAL JEALOUSY
Yes, Only if one lacks in something, he will develop jealousy seeing others. Krishna has all the Ishwarya (wealth) 100%. So, He is incomparable with anyone. Supreme Lord. So, He need not develop Jealousy against anyone.
But, in the spiritual worlds, His devotees develop some jealousy in serving Krishna. It is a kind of competition in serving Krishna. It is transcendental jealousy.
But, in the material world, jealousy occurs when someone has something more than us. For example, jealousy occurs when someone gets more wealth or popularity or recognition. This is material jealousy.
Spiritual worlds are under the Control of Radharani, Krishna’s Internal Potency. Material planets are under the control of Mayadevi, Krishna’s external potency.
Even among the devotees/ Vaishnavas, such material Jealousy exists as said by Srila Prabhupada below:
Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 4.147:
Almost all the conditioned souls within the material world are envious. Jealous people generally turn against one who automatically attains some reputation. This is natural for jealous people. Consequently, when a devotee is fit to receive worldly reputation, he is envied by many people. This is quite natural.
Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 1.218:
There are many jealous people in the dress of Vaiṣṇavas in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, and they should be completely neglected. There is no need to serve a jealous person who is in the dress of a Vaiṣṇava.
Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 1.220:
A jealous person in the dress of a Vaiṣṇava is not at all happy to see the success of another Vaiṣṇava in receiving the Lord’s mercy. Unfortunately, in this Age of Kali there are many mundane persons in the dress of Vaiṣṇavas.
Thus, Such material jealousy exists everywhere in this material world.
But, honestly speaking MOST OF the devotees are not Jealous, but, I have to admit that jealous devotees also exist here and there.
During my initial days of preaching itself, I decided to avoid promoting myself and I decided to serve anonymously to avoid such issues.
TRANSCENDENTAL JEALOUSY
Let us see about Transcendental Jealousy now.
Jealousy is everywhere in this material world. As confirmed by Srila Prabhupada, it exists even in the devotee community.
However, the above mentioned cases are the examples for the material jealousy even in spiritual service.
But, do you know that there is also PURE TRANSCENDENTAL JEALOUSY?
Yes, Jealousy is pure if it is shown in the service of Krishna without affecting other servants.
It is called Transcendental jealousy.
Transcendental Competition and Transcendental jealousy is existing even in the spiritual worlds while serving Krishna.
In the Spiritual worlds, Jealousy is targeted towards Krishna.
That is why even the demons who showed jealousy on Krishna and were killed by Krishna were also liberated.
Transcendental (Spiritual) jealousy is not wrong but it is absolute.
In the spiritual world, for serving Krishna, there are jealous parties also like the party of Radharani and the party of Satyabhama, but there Krishna is the center of all competition and jealousies.
Even among the Gopis such transcendental jealousy in satisfying Krishna exists.
Srila Prabhupada confirms this:
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 14.161:
“A gopī who is always eager to be jealously angered, who is very enthusiastic for that position, who immediately becomes angry when defeated, who is never under the control of a hero, and who always opposes Him is called a vāmā, or a left-wing gopī.”
All of us are aware that anything that is not existing in the Spiritual worlds can’t exist in this material world.
This applies to Jealousy also.
But, transcendental (Spiritual) jealousy is harmless, that motivates us to serve Krishna better.
But, the jealousy existing in the material planets are not transcendental, but, harmful to their devotional status itself.
For still easy understanding, if two devotees show jealousy seeing the belongings and popularity of each other, it is material jealousy as said in the three quotes by Srila Prabhupada posted above. Such material jealousy exists in many temples causing confusion and this material jealousy is harmful.
However, if two devotees develop jealousy about how to serve the Lord better than that another devotee (like Gopis), it is transcendental jealousy. This transcendental jealousy is harmless.
I think this is the simple and satisfying explanation for Material Jealousy & Transcendental Jealousy and your doubt how Jealousy came to us if we are Parts of Krishna.
(Avoiding Jealousy and Mayavadic Concepts – Practical Tips! READ HERE!)