Adhyātmika Miseries from the Mind
In the material world, suffering is an inescapable reality for the conditioned soul. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently analyzes the nature of this suffering to help humanity understand the necessity of spiritual liberation. He explains that all misery stems from three sources, one of which is adhyātmika—suffering that arises from one's own body and mind. While bodily pain is apparent, the miseries arising from the mind, such as anxiety, depression, and lamentation, are equally debilitating. This article explores the specific nature of mental misery within the context of the threefold material pangs and presents the spiritual solution offered by the Vedic literature.
Definition of Adhyātmika
Śrīla Prabhupāda defines the threefold miseries of material existence, specifically isolating the adhyātmika category. He explains that this term encompasses not only physical ailments but also the subtle disturbances of the mind, which can afflict a person even when the body is healthy.
- In the Vedic language the miserable conditions have been described in three ways: adhyatmika, adhibhautika and adhidaivika - miseries due to the condition of this body and due to the condition of the mind.
- The threefold miseries are called adhyatmika, adhibhautika, and adhidaivika. The word adhyatmika refers to those miseries caused by mind and body. Sometimes the living entity suffers bodily, and sometimes he is distressed mentally. Both are adhyatmika miseries.
- Adhyatmic, pertaining to the body. And another part of this adhyatmic misery is due to the mind. Suppose I have suffered a great loss. So the mind is not in good condition.
Universality of Mental Suffering
No one in the material world is exempt from these sufferings, regardless of their social standing or geographic location. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that as long as one possesses a material body and mind, they must endure these distresses, illustrating this with examples from everyday life.
- All of these living entities are subject to the threefold miseries, including those miseries pertaining to the body and mind.
- There are three kinds of suffering, including miseries pertaining to the body and mind. In Hawaii, in front of my house, a man was keeping some animals and birds for the purpose of taking them to be slaughtered.
- No one can escape the threefold miseries of materialistic life, namely (1) miseries pertaining to the body and mind, (2) miseries pertaining to the difficulties imposed by society, community, nation and other living entities.
Failure of Material Remedies
Humanity constantly attempts to mitigate suffering through scientific, social, or political adjustments. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that these attempts are ultimately futile because the laws of nature, which impose these miseries of body and mind, cannot be overcome by mundane inventions or mental speculation.
- Foolish people have manufactured, out of their tiny brains, many remedial measures for removing the threefold miseries pertaining to the body and mind, pertaining to the natural disturbances and in relation with other living beings.
- The living entities are trying to counteract different miserable conditions pertaining to providence, other living entities or the body and mind. Still, they must remain conditioned by the laws of nature, despite all attempts to counter these laws.
Transcendence Through Devotional Service
The only true cessation of these miseries comes through taking shelter of the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that a devotee engaged in hearing the glories of Kṛṣṇa and performing devotional service rises above the influence of the material mind and body, attaining a state of transcendental peace.
- He (who took complete shelter of the Lord) is transcendental to all these miseries - due to the body, the mind, or natural disturbances of summer and winter.
- Just try to hear these topics with faith, for there is great pleasure even in hearing them. That hearing will destroy all miseries pertaining to the body, mind and other living entities, and the unhappiness of false arguments as well.
- One who takes to the path of devotional service will never be vanquished, despite all miseries of the body and mind and despite all misery brought about by other living entities and providence, miseries which are beyond our control.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the mind, when uncontrolled and materially absorbed, is a source of intense adhyātmika misery. While the material world offers no permanent solution to these mental disturbances, the path of bhakti-yoga offers a way out. By engaging the mind in the service of Kṛṣṇa, the living entity is relieved from the threefold miseries and situated in their constitutional position of eternity, knowledge, and bliss, far beyond the reach of temporary material tribulations.
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 Miseries from the Mind. 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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