Why is the World here

Srila Prabhupada was once asked this question by a devotee, “Why is the world here?”. Prabhupada answered by a counter-question, “Why is the cloud here?” He elaborated: Because there is need for vegetation, there is need of rain. Because there is need of rain, there is cloud. Same way, because there is need for creation of material existence, it is there. In due course of time, vegetation dries up, rains disappears and the clouds disperse. Only the sky remains. Similarly, this world is an opportunity for the living beings to realize their relationship with the Lord, and eventually go back to Godhead. When material hankerings disappear, suffering is gone and only Krishna remains.

As to why we forgot Krishna, He gave us free will or desire. The moment we desired to enjoy separate from Him, He arranged that by sending us here. Even in this world, the more a person wants to forget Him, the better arrangements Krishna will make to enable it.

There was an Ãzhwãr by name Thondaradipodi Ãzhwãr. He has written the wonderful 'Tirumãlai' which all of you must have heard -
'Pacchai mã malai pol meni
pavazha vãi kamalachengann
Achuta amarar ye re
Ãyartham kozhunde ennum
icchuvai thavira yãn poi indira logam ãlum
acchuvai peridum venden Arangamã nagarulãne!'
-- He says, "I will go to Vaikunta, Oh! Ranganatha! If I find you there in the same manner as you are here in Srirangam, I would remain there. But, if it is not so, I will leave Vaikunta and rush back to Srirangam!"

There was a Bhakta by name Nãmadev. He took a vow in his lifetime that he would compose a hundred crore 'abhangs'. He went to Vaikunta but did not like Vaikunta. He, therefore, returned to the earth. He was back in the form of the Bhakta Tukkãrãm.

There are some Bhaktãs who, on attaining to Vaikunta, do not desire to return to the earth. Who are these Bhaktãs? 'Sadã pasyanti soorayah!' What does this mean? These Bhaktãs who worship the Lord in 'santa bhãva' - sitting with eyes closed and meditating on Him - on reaching Vaikunta keep looking at Vishnu, in the form of 'Para Vãsudeva'. They do not get tired of looking at Him. So, they remain in Vaikunta and keep looking at Bhagavãn. But, for those who are interested, desire in listening to Bhagavãn's Lila, do Bhagavãn's 'gunanubhavam', praise His glories (kirtanam), do 'purappãdu' (take the Lord in procession singing His praises) for Him, conduct 'utsavs' (festivals) for Bhagavãn, do 'abishekha' for Bhagavãn, do not choose Vaikunta for the permanent abode. Will those Bhaktãs who have petted and pampered their Lord ('konji, kulãvi') enjoy their stay in Vaikunta? Never!

Narada Muni once asked Srimannaryana "Which is your permanent abode?". To this Sri Vishnu replied "Naham Vasami Vaikunte,NahiYogi Hridaye,Yatra Mad Bhakta Gayanthe Tatra Thistami Narada !" which means "Oh Narada, I am not in Vaikunta, nor in the hearts of yogis, you will feel my presence where my devotees sing my name with love and affection".