Back to Q&A
Q&A with BrahmBodhi

What is the purpose of gems and celestial beauties in Vaikuntha?

Share
What is the purpose of gems and celestial beauties in Vaikuntha?
A

Answer

There are two types of Moksha: Saguna Moksha and Nirguna Moksha. In both, liberation from birth, death, and all suffering is attained. Saguna Moksha is for devotees on the path of Bhakti who do not wish to dissolve themselves into the formless Brahman. Nirguna Moksha is primarily for the Nirakara-oriented sannyasis of the Jnana Marga who wish to completely merge their existence into Para Brahman, dissolving their individual identity. This is called "Brahma Nirvana." Vaikuntha is distinct from Brahma Nirvana. "Nirvana" means to be "extinguished," to be blown out, as a lamp is blown out.

Saguna Moksha is the state where God also remains in His Sakara Saguna (manifested, qualified) form, and the devotee also remains in a Sakara Saguna form.

In Moksha, the gross and subtle bodies of the jiva (individual soul) are destroyed. However, in Saguna Moksha, upon reaching Vaikuntha, one receives a divine, imperishable "bhuvanaja" body. As for ornaments and precious gems, in Vaikuntha they have no monetary value -- value exists only in this material world. Vaikuntha is a realm of divine opulence.

As for the question of why there are beautiful women in Vaikuntha -- both men and women go to Vaikuntha. Should women not go there? Should only men go? And both are beautiful in form, because no one there is ugly.

Because Maya has no entry there, upon seeing beautiful women, no impure thoughts arise in the minds of handsome men, nor do any impure thoughts arise in the minds of beautiful women upon seeing handsome men.

Whatever can be conceived of as the finest and most excellent -- all of it exists in Vaikuntha. And devotees there, dwelling in their imperishable bhuvanaja bodies, experience a certain divine happiness for all eternity, remaining forever free from all anxiety and frustration. That is precisely why it is called "Vaikuntha" -- the place free from all kuntha (anxiety).

Share this answer

Share
Browse all questions