Hi guys
This is a word I have been struggling to properly understand, no matter how many times I read the web definition or basic meaning.
The word Transcendence and the saying Transcendental Nature of God is used quite a bit by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the Bhagavad Gita As it is.
I also see it used alot outside the Movement, particularly around Hindu belief systems or those seeking self knowledge or self realisation.
Can somebody please help me to understand this term?
Many thanks
Hare Krishna
Replies
Hare Krsna
Transcendental when used in SP books can be generally understood as spiritual meaning non-material. It means belonging to divine nature which is different from the nature we see in the material world around us. It is not affected by all the happenings of material nature and material world. It also implies it will never be affected by material nature.
Transcendental nature means spiritual divine nature. Transcendental food means spiritual food. transcendental work means spiritual service, transcendental sound vibration means spiritual sound like Holy names of Krsna or Pastimes of Krsna. Everything connected to Krsna becomes transcendental or spiritual.
Example : The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge merges entirely into transcendence.(BG 4.23)
Here transcendental knowledge refers to - the knowledge of constitutional position of soul in spiritual relationship with Kṛṣṇa and other spiritual knowledge in the same regard.
merges entirely into transcendence refers to complete absorption of mind/consciousness in Krsna despite performing external work.
The word transcendental comes from the verb transcend - which means to rise above. In outside context transcend could be used differently.
Hare Krsna
Thank you Bharat.
That is a really great answer. I appreciate you taking the time to respond.