Śyāmasundara: He wanted to know what is the difference between Paramātmā and ātmā.
Prabhupāda: Paramātmā and ātmā, it is not very difficult to know. Just like you are father and you have got many children at home. So they, because they are children, they are, I mean to say, as ingredients, you and your children are the same, but still, you are superior, and the children are dependent. Your children are not different from you, but still, you are superior and they are inferior or junior. So qualitatively one, but quantitatively different. So quantitatively different—ātmā, Paramātmā; and qualitatively one—ātmā is spirit, Paramātmā is spirit. It is called acintya-bhedābheda-tattva, simultaneously one and different. One in quality, different in quantity. You can create. You are also qualitatively one with God. You have got creative power. Just like we are creating this flying machine, sputniks. That is also flying in the sky, and the Paramātmā has created the millions of planets floating in the sky. So you have got the creative power, but you cannot create like that, Paramātmā. That is the difference. Can you?
Indian: My question was very simple.
Prabhupāda: Yes. The answer is also very simple. Paramātmā is great. You are small. That's all.
Indian: But whether the, our ātmā is the part and parcel of the ātmā, Paramātmā.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Indian: Paramātmā is entirely different from the ātmā and...
Prabhupāda: That I will explain. In quality, you are one. Because a particle of gold is also gold. But the gold mine is not equal to the gold earring. That is mistake.
Indian: They say ātmā is the Paramātmā.
Various Indians: Not, not, the... Not the whole.
Prabhupāda: Not the... One is great. Another is small. That is the difference. Quality is the same.
Indian: That means Paramātmā and the ātmā...
Prabhupāda: Quality same.
Indian: Quality same
Prabhupāda: Quantity different.
Indian: But the ātmā, it is functioning in the body.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Indian: Is, according to the Paramātmā, it is entirely different from the Paramātmā.
Prabhupāda: According to the Paramātmā.
Indian: Every, our action is according to the Paramātmā.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Indian: So why do you abuse one person to other person?
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Indian: Why a person,...
Prabhupāda: Yes?
Indian: ...to abuse other person, he says many things...
Prabhupāda: But you should remember that you are in quality Paramātmā. So Paramātmā has got supreme independence. You have got little independence also. You, when you misuse that little independence, you create havoc.