Devotees Don't Feel Suffering
Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.25.23
Bombay, November 23, 1974
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Nitai: "Engaged constantly in
chanting and hearing about Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sadhus do
not suffer from material miseries because they are always filled with thoughts
of My pastimes and activities."
Prabhupada:
mad-asrayah katha mrstah
srnvanti kathayanti ca
tapanti vividhas tapa
naitan mad-gata-cetasah
[SB 3.25.23]
Na etan. Generally, people, they are suffering. There is nobody in the world, those who are materially engaged, can say boldly that "I am not suffering." Is there anybody? I challenge anyone. Can anyone say that "I am not suffering"? So everyone must be suffering. Now, why these Anacin tablets are advertised, "pain-killer"? Because they are suffering. And not in this country, but in the Western countries, America, one takes at least one dozen tablet daily for mitigating suffering -- tranquilizer, this, that, so many. They are advertised, and they take. At last, for sleeping. Because they are more advanced. We are less advanced; therefore we are satisfied only one tablet, Anacin. (laughter) But they are not satisfied with one tablet. They have dozens of tablet. I have seen it. It is advertised in the subway trains. So many tablets are advertised. Suffering must be there. Anyone who has got this material body has accepted suffering. That's a fact. But foolish people, they cannot understand. He thinks, "I am got very fatty and beautiful body." He is satisfied. The dog is also satisfied. He does not know that this dog's body is greater suffering than human body. The hog's body is greater suffering than the human body. But everyone is thinking, "I am happy." This is called maya, illusion. You go to a hospital, a man is lying down on the bed, and if you ask, "How are you?" "Yes, I am well today." What is "well"?
So there cannot be anyone without suffering. That is not possible. There are three kinds of suffering: adhyatmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika. Adhyatmika means pertaining to the body and mind. "I have got headache today. I have got some pain here in the back. My mind is not very much settled up today. I cannot talk with you." These kind of sufferings are called adhyatmika, pertaining to the body and the mind. And there are sufferings adhibhautika. Just like at night, unnecessarily, the dogs bark, and we cannot sleep. This is called adhibhautika, suffering imposed by other living entities -- the mosquitos, the bugs. Then enemies. Suffering. Just like some of our enemies, they are hindering sanctioning this temple. So this is called adhibhautika. And besides that, big, big sufferings there are. Then adhidaivika, accident, which you have no control over. No sufferings you have control. That is not possible. There is famine; there is pestilence; there is no rain; there is excessive heat, excessive cold. They are called adhidaivika. Earthquake..., so many. So this is the reminder, that "You rascal, you are thinking you are very happy in this material world. What you have done about these sufferings?" Mudha. They think, "Oh, this is all right. It doesn't matter." Besides that, there is very grave sufferings. That is birth, death, old age, and disease. So where is your happiness? But because we are under the spell of maya, we are thinking, "This position is very nice. Let us enjoy life." This is their enjoyment.
So one has to... Tapanti vividhas tapah. Vividhah, multi. Vividhah means many. Tapanti vividhas tapa na etan mad-gata-cetasah. Those who are Krsna conscious, they... We cannot say that they are not suffering. They are suffering, but no so acutely. They know. Therefore we have begun this sadhu's symptoms, titiksavah, tolerant. Everyone is tolerant. One has to tolerate. But a sadhu's toleration and ordinary man's toleration is different. Sadhu's toleration is not so acute because a sadhu knows that he is not this body. There is a Bengali Vaisnava song, deha-smrti nahi yara, samsara-bandhana kahan tara. If we understand properly that "I am not this body," then, although there is suffering, you will not feel very much, although we are now absorbed with this body, bodily sufferings are there. Just like the example that you have got a car, and there is some accident. So one who is too much absorbed with the thought that "This is my car" or "I am car," he suffers more. But if one knows that "I am not this car. All right, there is some accident. It can be repaired or it can be... That doesn't matter." It is a question of absorption of the thought. The materialistic person, because they are like animal, he suffers more. And for the devotees, as it is advised in the Bhagavad-gita,
matra-sparsas tu kaunteya
sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah
agamapayino 'nityas
tams titiksasva bharata
[Bg. 2.14]
Krsna says to Arjuna that "These material sufferings are just like the sufferings of season, seasonal suffering." In summer season also, you suffer, and in winter season also, we suffer. Sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah. And the same thing, this fire, in summer season it is suffering. The heat is suffering. And in the winter season is suffering, but in the summer season it is pleasing. The same water, the same fire -- sometimes it is suffering; sometimes it is pleasing. But the matter is the same. Why? Matra-sparsah: it is due to the touch of the skin. Because we have got this skin disease, "I am this body," therefore you are suffering, because you have become so nonsense rascal that "I am this body." Yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke [SB 10.84.13]. Tri-dhatuke: This is the bag of three elements: kapha, pitta, vayu. Kapha, pitta, vayu. According to Ayurvedic system, they are called tri-dhatu. So this body is made of material elements: kapha, pitta, vayu. So,
yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke
sva-dhih kalatradisu bhauma ijya-dhih
yat-tirtha-buddhih salile na karhicij
janesv abhijnesu sa eva go-kharah
[SB 10.84.13]
So the more we are in bodily concept of life, the suffering is more. Nowadays new things have developed: nationalism, communism, communalism, so many things. Sufferings are more. We have seen in 1947 in Calcutta Hindu-Muslim riot -- more suffering because one is thinking, "I am Hindu," one is thinking, "I am Muslim." But if one is advanced in Krsna consciousness, then they will not suffer. They will not unnecessarily fight, "Because I am Hindi or because you are Muslim, therefore we have to fight." No. Because if both of them know that "I am not this body. Therefore I am neither Hindu nor Muslim. I am eternal servant of Krsna," then where is the suffering of Hindu-Muslim riot? The understanding is missing. Because people are being educated to become more bodily conscious, therefore their sufferings are increasing. Sufferings are increasing. And if you reduce this bodily concept of life, then suffering also will be reduced.
So those who are Krsna conscious, Krsna conscious means, here it is said, mad-gata-cetasah. Naitan mad-gata-cetasah. Mad-gata. Bhagavan says, "Those who are always thinking of, in the mind, within the heart," mad-gata-cetasah, "they are not suffering." They are not suffering in this way because they know that "Even if I am suffering, it is Krsna's desire." So they welcome. Just like Kunti. Queen Kunti, when Krsna was departing, taking farewell from Kunti, so Kunti said, "My dear Krsna, when we are in full of danger, at that time You are always present as our friend, as our advisor. Now we are well situated. We have got our kingdom. We are well established. So You are going away to Dvaraka? No, no, no, this is not good. Better we may again go to that suffering so that we can remember You always." So the devotee sometimes welcomes suffering because that is an opportunity of remembering Krsna very constantly. Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamano bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam [SB 10.14.8]. So when a devotee suffers, he thinks that "It is due to my past misdeeds. So I am suffering not very much, a very little, on account of Krsna's grace. So it doesn't matter." So after all, it is, everything, in the mind, suffering and enjoying. So a devotee's mind is trained up in Krsna consciousness. Therefore he does not care for suffering. That is the difference between a devotee and nondevotee.
Therefore it is said that tapanti vividhas tapa na etan mad-gata-cetasah. Just like Prahlada Maharaja. So how much suffering he had to undergo, the five-years-old boy, and his father was putting in dangers, sometimes under the feet, leg of the elephant, sometimes throwing from the mountain, sometimes on burning oil, sometimes amongst the snakes, so many ways. But he was silent. Haridasa Thakura. Haridasa Thakura was a Muhammadan by birth. So he became a very good devotee and always chanting Hare Krsna. That was his fault. So the Muslim Kazi called him, that "You are Muhammadan. You born in a such great family, Muhammadan family, and you are chanting Hindu's Hare Krsna mantra? What is this?" So he mildly replied, "My dear sir, there are many Hindus, they also have become Muhammadan. So suppose I have become Hindu. So what is the wrong? What is the wrong there?" So Kazi became very angry, that "You are talking before me? All right." So he was punished to be caned in twenty-two bazaar, in front of twenty-two bazaar. That means he was to be killed by caning. So it is understood, when he was beaten by the cane, Caitanya Mahaprabhu was on his back. So he did not feel any suffering. So there are many instances. A devotee had to suffer many sufferings, but they did not take it very much severely. They tolerated. And a devotee is educated to tolerate.
Therefore, in the sadhu's symptoms, beginning, that titiksavah karunikah [SB 3.25.21], they, a devotee, suffers; at the same time, he is very kind to these conditioned soul, how to elevate them, how to make them Krsna conscious. This is karunikah. These are the very primary features of a devotee's life. People put him into suffering in so many ways, but he does not give up his job. His job is to spread Krsna consciousness so that others may become happy. Just like Prahlada Maharaja said, "My Lord, I have no suffering. I have no suffering because I know the art, how to become happy." Tvad-virya-gayana-mahamrta-
Then... Prahlada Maharaja, as he says, that tvad-virya-gayana-mahamrta-
So this devotional service, this line of action, is so nice that if we practice, if we make advance, then even in this material world, staying, there will be no more suffering. That is called jivan mukta. Jivan mukta means although he is in this body, but he is not suffering the bodily miserable condition. It is a question of absorption of thought. I have read in some paper that Mr. Stalin, the communist leader, he had to undergo a surgical operation of operating on the belly. But doctor wanted to, what is called, chloroform, but he said, "No, there is no need. You can go on with your operation." So even in ordinary life it is possible. Because the mind is absorbed in a different way, even a surgical operation does not disturb a man. Similarly, what to speak of spiritual life, if your mind is always absorbed in Krsna thought, Krsna consciousness... That is stated mad-gata-cetasah, always thinking of Krsna. And Krsna advises also. What is His advice? Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru: [Bg. 18.65] "You always think of Me."
There are many instances. If we believe, that is another... If you don't believe, that is another... But there is practical also, that these boys, European, American boys, from their childhood, from their birth, they are accustomed to so many bad habits. But for want of those bad habit, they think it is impossible to live. Not only ordinary man. I will tell you the story of one very big man, the Marquis of Zetland. The Marquis of Zetland was talking with one of my Godbrother. The Lord -- they are called Lord -- he asked, "Can you make me brahmana?" So the my Godbrother said, "Yes, it is not very difficult. If you give up these bad habits -- intoxication, illicit sex life, meat-eating, and gambling -- you can become a brahmana." So he said, "It is impossible." Yes. A very big man, he said, "It is impossible. This is our life." Actually, we have got experience in the Western countries, this is their life. Even very, very old men, they cannot give up this. For want of this, it is a great suffering. But here you see practically. These young boys, young girls, they have given up. There is no suffering. Take practical example. And an old man, a very respectable gentleman, he was requested to give up these four habits; he replied, "It is impossible." How it is becoming possible for these boys? If they would have suffered for want of this illicit sex, intoxication, the boys or girls, then how they could remain with me? I am not a very rich man. I cannot give them nice shelter. I cannot give them nice food. But why? Because they are not feeling... They have no furniture. They are lying down on the floor, no bedding, no proper cloth. Because they are not suffering actually. Otherwise they could not remain with me. This is a fact. If they would have suffered, then, like Lord Zetland, they would have also said, "It is impossible to remain with Prabhupada." But they are not saying that. There is suffering from disease also; still, they are not leaving. They are not leaving.
So Krsna consciousness is so nice. Mad-gata. They do not feel any suffering. It is practical. Others, they feel suffering. Therefore it is said, tapanti vividhas tapa na etan mad-gata-cetasah. Na etan. Therefore we should accept this. What is that? Mad-asrayah kathah. Katha, krsna-katha. There are so many literatures, especially Bhagavad-gita. That is open to everyone. Everyone knows Bhagavad-gita. So if we simply hear Bhagavad-gita, we can attain this stage of perfection, no more suffering. That is a fact. So just like Ambarisa Maharaja. He made his life... Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane [SB 9.4.18]. He was a very responsible king, emperor of this world, and he was administering his kingdom. At the same time, he was a great devotee. These are the examples in this country. There were many kings like that; they are called rajarsi. Therefore in the Bhagavad-gita it is said,
imam vivasvate yogam
proktavan aham avyayam
vivasvan manave praha
manur iksvakave 'bravit
[Bg. 4.1]
Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. Rajarsi. The kings were... Although they were king, raja, still, they were as good as the great saintly person, rsi. So Maharaja Ambarisa, he was also a rajarsi. He gave example: although he was busy in his administration work, still, he was talking only of Krsna, only. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane [SB 9.4.18]. Whenever he would talk, he will talk about Krsna. This required practice. Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised all His devotees, gramya-katha na kahibe. This requires... This is called advancement. Don't talk nonsense of these material talks. What is the use? What you will gain? Just like you open the newspaper. What do you find? The same thing. The same plane crash, the same politician condemn another politician, and something lost, something gained, something... It is punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30]. The same thing are being repeated in different way. So what is the use of talking such thing? Better, if you want to talk, talk on Krsna, talk on Bhagavad-gita, talk on Srimad-Bhagavatam, and enjoy life. That is required.
That is recommended here: mad-asrayah katha mrstah srnvanti kathayanti ca. If you simply talk about Krsna and hear about Krsna, then that stage will come when there will be no more suffering always. Anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12). This is called anandamaya in the Vedanta-sutra. A living entity or Krsna, they are anandamaya. Pracurye maya-pratyaya. Simply ananda. When you are in pleasure, transcendental bliss, there will be no more possibility of this material suffering. That is instructed here:
mad-asrayah katha mrstah
srnvanti kathayanti ca
tapanti vividhas tapa
naitan mad-gata-cetasah
There is also another statement in the Bhagavad-gita: yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantar-atmana [Bg. 6.47]. There are many yogis, but that yogi who is thinking of Krsna always, man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah, mad-gatenantar-atmana, sa me yuktatamah: "In My opinion that is... He is the first-class yogi." Not to show any magic. Magic, that is magic, that if he does not suffer from any suffering, that is the greatest magic. But that will be done by a devotee. And Krsna also recommends.
So our life should be... This Krsna consciousness movement is being spread only for this purpose. What is this? Srnvanti kathayanti ca. Mad-asrayah katha mrstah. When we shall feel pleasure by hearing about Krsna or talking about Krsna, we must know that we are making progress on the path of perfection. And at that time any kind of this material suffering will not be felt. This is the practical effect of executing devotional service.
Thank you very much. (end)
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
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