continuity of consciousness. If a person displays an uncommon intelligence, it is because it covers the consciousness acquired in a previous life. The fact that we have lived various previous incarnations testifies to the immortality of the soul.

Death is horrible for those who must be reborn in an inferior species, animal or vegetable. On the other hand, it is a joy for the devotee because he returns to his first dwelling, the Kingdom of God.

For those who have not developed their spiritual consciousness, death is most horrible. The trend in this life will be to be very proud. Moreover, people often think, "I have nothing to do with God; I am independent. Thus think the fools who, in the afterlife, must put on a new body under the dictation of nature. Mother Nature will say, "Dear sir, since you are like a dog, you can now become such. You like to surf, so become a fish. These bodies are attributed according to the higher authorities under the direction of the Supreme Lord and according to the fruit of his works, the living being, the soul, is introduced into the womb of a woman through a drop of male seed for to put on a particular body shape. By coming into contact with the influences of material nature, we create our next body.

Thus operates nature. If we contract a virus, the disease will surely hit us. Now, there are three modes of influence of material Nature, ignorance, passion and virtue, and we acquire a body consistent with our contacts with them. As for the spiritualist who has failed, he is given another chance to recover his spiritual consciousness in his next life. The human form usually gives us the opportunity to progress in Krishna consciousness, especially when born into an aristocratic family, a master or spiritual guide, or a sage. To triumph over earthly existence means to enter the spiritual world. The soul is eternal and can move from one world to another.

The Supreme Lord says, "He who knows the absolute of My coming and My deeds will not have to be reborn in the material universe; leaving his body, he enters My eternal Kingdom."

Those who remain prisoners of the cycle of the dead and rebirth require a new material body, while the conscious being of Krishna will live with Him. He will not put on a new body of matter. Those who are not jealous of Krishna accept his teaching, surrender to Him and understand Him. These are currently living their last material incarnation.

The Supreme Lord adds: "Being born again, the being recovers the divine consciousness acquired in his past life and resumes his march towards perfection".