View source for Transcending the Modes of Nature

The material world is a complex machine operated by the three modes of nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the conditioned soul as being thoroughly subjugated by these forces, often compared to a silkworm trapped in its own cocoon. While the living entity struggles to lord it over nature, he is merely being tossed about by the waves of the modes. However, the purpose of human life is to break these shackles. By understanding the mechanism of the modes and the method of overcoming them, one can attain a state of perfect freedom known as transcendence.

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=== Illusion of Independence ===

The fundamental illusion of the conditioned soul is the belief that he is the doer of his activities. In reality, he is forced to act. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the "foolish mundaner" is driven by the dictates of the modes—lust, anger, greed, or even mundane morality—without realizing his actual position of servitude. He enjoys temporary results but pays a heavy penalty. This lack of vision prevents him from understanding the process of transmigration.

* [[Vaniquotes:The foolish mundaner enjoys only the temporary results of his activities - fleeting mundane happiness or distress - and undergoes a severe penalty of servitude dictated by the modes of nature|The foolish mundaner enjoys only the temporary results of his activities - fleeting mundane happiness or distress - and undergoes a severe penalty of servitude dictated by the modes of nature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The foolish cannot understand how a living entity can quit his body, nor can they understand what sort of body he enjoys under the spell of the modes of nature. But one whose eyes are trained in knowledge can see all this. BG 15.10 - 1972|The foolish cannot understand how a living entity can quit his body, nor can they understand what sort of body he enjoys under the spell of the modes of nature. But one whose eyes are trained in knowledge can see all this.]]

=== Law of Association ===

The mechanism governing the soul's journey through different species is the law of association. Just as one acquires an infection by associating with a disease, the soul acquires a particular type of body by associating with a specific mode of nature. This is the explanation for the vast variety of life forms, from the demigods to the beasts. Whether one becomes a learned ''brāhmaṇa'' (mode of goodness) or a dog (mode of ignorance) depends entirely on this association.

* [[Vaniquotes:According to the association of the modes of nature, your activities are being contaminated (BG 13.22): karanam guna-sango 'sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu|According to the association of the modes of nature, your activities are being contaminated (BG 13.22): karanam guna-sango 'sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because of associating with the modes of nature, the living entity gets a variety of bodies from the 8,400,000 forms|Because of associating with the modes of nature, the living entity gets a variety of bodies from the 8,400,000 forms.]]

=== Symptoms of a Transcendentalist ===

What does it mean to transcend the modes? It is not a physical change, but a change in consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the transcendentalist as one who is undisturbed by the dualities of material existence. He regards pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor, as equal, knowing well that these are merely interactions of the modes. He remains an observer, aloof from the reactions of the body, fixed in his spiritual identity.

* [[Vaniquotes:He who remains firm, knowing that the modes alone are active; who regards alike pleasure & pain, & looks on a clod, a stone & a piece of gold with an equal eye-such a man is said to have transcended the modes of nature. BG 14.22-25 - 1972|He who remains firm, knowing that the modes alone are active; who regards alike pleasure and pain, and looks on a clod, a stone and a piece of gold with an equal eye-such a man is said to have transcended the modes of nature.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The living entities change their material bodies in different shapes and forms under the influence of the different modes of nature, but in the transcendental state the devotee is guna-tita, or above the material modes of goodness, passion and ignorance|The living entities change their material bodies in different shapes and forms under the influence of the different modes of nature, but in the transcendental state the devotee is guna-tita, or above the material modes of goodness, passion and ignorance.]]

=== Method of Liberation ===

The path to transcendence is not difficult if one takes the proper method. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement offers the facility to "immediately" transcend the modes. By engaging in ''bhakti-yoga'', one connects directly with the Supreme Lord, who is the master of the modes. This connection acts as an antidote to the "cobralike" influence of material nature. When one surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, the modes no longer bind; instead, they are engaged in the service of the Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna consciousness movement is so nice that you can immediately transcend all these qualitative modes of nature - immediately. Sa gunan samatityaitan. It is said clearly that anyone who is engaged in devotional service, he can transcend immediately|Krsna consciousness movement is so nice that you can immediately transcend all these qualitative modes of nature - immediately. Sa gunan samatityaitan. It is said clearly that anyone who is engaged in devotional service, he can transcend immediately.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The best remedy for getting out of the clutches of the cobralike kala or its integrity, the modes of nature, is bhakti-yoga, as it is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita|The best remedy for getting out of the clutches of the cobralike kala or its integrity, the modes of nature, is bhakti-yoga, as it is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Transcending the modes of nature is the ultimate victory for the spirit soul. It transforms the world from a place of bondage into a place of spiritual opportunity. As Śrīla Prabhupāda notes, when one is free from the modes, "the phenomenal world manifests its noumenal feature—its spiritual aspect."

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Modes_of_Nature|Modes of Nature]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

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