Introduction xxI

energy, and the marginal energy. The living entities are called mar-
ginal energy, and the material cosmic manifestation is the action of
the external or material energy. Then there is the spiritual world,
which is a manifestation of the internal energy. The living entities,
who are called marginal energy, perform material activities when
acting under the inferior external energy. And when they engage in
activities under the internal spiritual energy, their activities are called
Krsna conscious. This means that those who are great souls or great
devotees do not act under the spell of material energy, but act in-
stead under the protection of the spiritual energy. Any activities done
in devotional service or in Krsna consciousness are directly under the
control of spiritual energy. In other words, energy is a sort of
strength, and this strength can be spiritualized by the mercy of both
the bona fide spiritual master and Krsna.

In the Caitanya-caritamrta by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami, Lord
Caitanya states that it is a fortunate person who comes in contact
with a bona fide spiritual master by the grace of Krsna. One who is
serious about spiritual life is given by Krsna the intelligence to come
in contact with a bona fide spiritual master, and then by the grace of
the spiritual master one becomes advanced in Krsna consciousness.
In this way the whole jurisdiction of Krsna consciousness is directly
under the spiritual energy—Krsna and the spiritual master. This has
nothing to do with the material world. When we speak of Krsna we
refer to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with His many
expansions. He is expanded by His plenary parts and parcels, His dif-
ferentiated parts and parcels and His different energies. Krsna, in
other words, means everything and includes everything. Generally,
however, we should understand Krsna to mean Krsna and His per-
sonal expansions. Krsna expands Himself as Baladeva, Sankarsana,
Vasudeva, Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Rama, Nrsimha and Varaha, as
well as many other incarnations and innumerable Visnu expansions.
These are described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam to be as numerous as the
uncountable waves. So Krsna includes all such expansions, as well
as His pure devotees. In the Brahma-samhita it is stated that Krsna’s
expansions are all complete in eternity, blissfulness and cognizance.
