Details of Miseries

[Sri Vasudeva Das]

Hare Krishna prabhuji

Thank you for the very nice blog https://blog.shabda.co/2023/06/12/guna-karma-and-perception/

Referring to this, you mention how different pranas digest knowledge at the level of mind, is this the reason why in 7.15.24(https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/7/15/24/) of Srimad Bhagavatam it is mentioned that by Pranayam miseries due to mind are subsided?

Also also in the verse above it is told that the miseries due to other beings(Adhibhautik Klesha) subside due to good behaviour. But in Srimad Bhagavatam 4.8.34 (https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/4/8/34/) it mentions that by good behaviour all miseries subside. How to understand this?

[Ashish Dalela]

Prāṇa and mind can both control each other, depending on which is dominant. When sattva-guna is prominent, then the mind can control prāṇa but when rajo-guna is prominent then the prāṇa can control the mind. Therefore, by mind control we control prāṇa and by prāṇa control, we control the mind. Generally, in the eight-fold yoga system, we try to control the prāṇa before the mind, because the person is going from rajo-guna to sattva-guna. When the mind is controlled, then the prāṇa is also automatically controlled.

There is a minimum amount of material problems destined for everyone. We cannot reduce the problems to anything lower than the minimum. Similarly, there is a maximum limit to the material comforts destined for everyone. We cannot increase it to anything more than the maximum. However, we can worsen the situation in two ways by our choices: (a) make the situation something worse than the minimum destined problems, and (b) make the situation something worse than the maximum destined comfort. We can visualize the situation through the following diagram.

— maximum destined comforts (destiny) —

— less than maximum destined comfort (choice) —

— minimum destined problems (destiny) —

— more than minimum destined problems (choice) —

In short, we cannot make the situation better than the destiny but we can make it worse by our choice. If we behave properly, then we will restrict the situation to destiny and not worsen it. Then, whatever happens, we have to accept it as destiny. This is the meaning of happiness. I have done everything I could do in my power. I have not evaded my duty, responsibility, or obligation. After that, what happens is destined and not because I have created it by my bad choices. Happiness doesn’t mean the absence of problems. It means the absence of guilt, remorse, or shame due to not doing duty.

[Sri Vasudeva Das]

Thank you for your beautiful insight prabhuji.

The best part was the line “Happiness doesn’t mean the absence of problems. It means the absence of guilt, remorse, or shame due to not doing duty.”

Also really appreciate the recent articles, specially on the shame and shyness.

[Ashish Dalela]

Happiness is of various kinds. Tamasic happiness is the result of taking something without giving anything. Rajasic happiness is the result of getting something after giving something. Sattvic happiness is the result of giving something as a matter of duty even without getting anything in return. And transcendental happiness is the result of giving soming out of love of the Lord even without getting anything in return. The happiness being discussed here is at least sattvic and it can also be transcendental.

[Author]

Posts