“Your next question about free will, whether we have it or not? If one is not intelligent enough for making decisions, then all decisions shall be sanctioned by the spiritual master. Neophyte means no independent decision, no free will, that means surrender. Just like a small child can only eat such things which are sanctioned by his parents, not by his own discretion. Free will is that when the controller says do this, you can your free will to do it or not to do it. You have got the power to not do.
iti te jnanam akhyatam, guhyad guhyataram maya
vimrsyaitad asesna, yathecchasi tatha kuru
‘Thus I have explained to you the most confidential of all knowledge.Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.’ (B.G. 18.65) Krsna asks: ‘Have you decided to fight?’ ‘Yes, I have decided to follow Your order. ’This is free will.”
(SPL to Yajnesvara, January 2nd, 1972)
Note-so we can see the actual freedom to act depends upon ones surrender to the spiritual master. If one is a neophyte, then there is no free will.
Why not?
Because we are just like a child who has no intelligence to make his own decisions. So a child puts his hand into fire not knowing it will burn him. Similarly the neophyte devotee does not have sufficient intelligence to make the correct decisions. This is called faith.
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das
