Vanquishing Misgivings of Material Existence

In the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies "misgivings" as the various obstacles, doubts, and illusions that plague the conditioned soul due to identification with the material body. These misgivings are often referred to as anarthas, or unwanted things, which cloud the original pure consciousness of the living entity. The article explores the root cause of these spiritual impediments and the scientific process by which they can be completely eradicated.

By engaging in the process of bhakti-yoga, specifically through hearing and chanting about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee cleanses the heart of all accumulated dirt. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this purification is not theoretical but a tangible result of devotional service. As one progresses under the guidance of a spiritual master and in the association of devotees, the knot of material attachment is pierced, leading to the stage of anartha-nivṛtti, where all misgivings are vanquished, and one becomes situated in perfect knowledge.

Root Cause of Material Misgivings

Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the foundational error of the living entity is the misconception of the self. When the eternal soul identifies with the temporary body, thinking "I am this body" and "I am the lord of all I survey," a host of fears and misgivings arise. This false ego is the seed of all suffering in the material world.

• God is eternal, we are also eternal. But because we have fallen down in this material existence, we have forgotten our eternity; we are changing body. We are thinking, "I am this body." This is our misgivings.
• The basic principle of all such misgivings is the false consciousness that I am the lord of all I survey.
• The unrest of the world is not created by God, but it is so done by the misgiven mind of the sensuous man.

Power of Chanting and Hearing

The primary method for removing these misgivings is the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this transcendental vibration acts as a cleansing agent for the heart, sweeping away the dust of material contamination. Similarly, hearing about Kṛṣṇa's activities and instructions is a powerful process that enlightens the mind and detaches it from illusory engagements.

• Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare is the transcendental process for reviving this original pure consciousness. By chanting this transcendental vibration, we can cleanse away all misgivings within our hearts.
• The first and foremost of such devotional engagements is hearing about Krsna. This is a very powerful transcendental method for purging the mind of all misgivings.
• This is a very powerful transcendental method (hearing about Krsna) for purging the mind of all misgivings. The more one hears about Krsna, the more one becomes enlightened & detached from everything that draws the mind away from Krsna.

Importance of Association and Guidance

One cannot conquer material misgivings alone; it requires the mercy and guidance of the spiritual master and the association of pure devotees (sādhu-saṅga). By strictly following the instructions of the guru and adopting the regulative principles, the devotee is protected from the dangers of the material energy and elevated to the platform of spiritual understanding.

• To follow the instructions of a Spiritual Master is to follow the instructions of the Supreme Person. And as soon as we are accustomed to this habit, then all our misgivings of material existence are over.
• As one associates with devotees and tries to adopt the means instructed by the spiritual master in his own life, his misgivings and other obstacles are vanquished by his execution of devotional service.
• Through association of devotees, one is placed in devotional service, and by this service Krsna's activities, form, pastimes, name, etc., become clear, and all misgivings are dispelled.

Stage of Anartha-nivṛtti

There is a specific sequence of advancement in spiritual life, beginning with faith (śraddhā) and proceeding to association with devotees. The result of this process is anartha-nivṛtti, the cessation of all unwanted things and misgivings. Once these obstacles are removed, the devotee attains steady faith (niṣṭhā) and eventually pure love for God.

• First faith, then association, then beginning of regulative principles. And if one follows, then the next promotion is to the stage of anartha-nivrtti, disappearance of all misgivings.
• Unless a person is pure, he can neither understand what the Personality of Godhead is nor engage in His service in love, for devotional service, as stated before, begins from the point of self-realization, when all misgivings of materialistic life are vanquished.
• Thus the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the self as master.

Historical Examples of Enlightenment

The scriptures provide vivid examples of great souls like Arjuna and Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira who, despite facing immense challenges, had their misgivings dispelled by Kṛṣṇa or His representatives. Their lives demonstrate that even in the midst of confusion or duty, taking shelter of the Supreme Lord brings about perfect clarity and the resolve to execute one's duty in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

• In order to drive out all misgivings which the gross materialists of the world may have, Arjuna asked all relevant questions, and the answers were given by Krsna so that any layman can understand them.
• Within one hour, the whole Bhagavad-gita was discussed, and Sri Krsna set forth the perfection of all yoga systems to His friend Arjuna. At the end of this great discourse, Arjuna set aside his misgivings and fought.
• Yudhisthira, after being enlightened by what was spoken by Bhismadeva and Krsna, the infallible, engaged himself in matters of perfect knowledge because all his misgivings were eradicated. Thus he ruled over the earth, seas and was followed by his brothers.

Conclusion

Śrīla Prabhupāda conclusively establishes that the misgivings of material existence are not permanent conditions of the soul but temporary illusions born of ignorance. The path to freedom is open to everyone through the simple yet profound process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By replacing the false ego with the desire to serve Kṛṣṇa, and by constantly engaging the mind in the transcendental sound vibration of the holy names, one pierces the knot of material attachment. Ultimately, when all misgivings are vanquished, the living entity is reinstated in their eternal constitutional position of blissful service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

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 Misgiving. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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