Characteristics of Mode of Passion
The mode of passion (rajo-guṇa) is the driving force behind the material world's activity. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes it as the source of unlimited desires and longings. Unlike the mode of ignorance, which is characterized by inactivity, the mode of passion impels the living entity to work hard, but this work is always motivated by the desire for personal gratification—wealth, honor, and family. While it may look like progress, the mode of passion binds the soul to the cycle of karma and ultimately leads to misery.
Intense Endeavor and Anxiety
The primary symptom of the mode of passion is intense endeavor (ugra-karma). A person in this mode is never satisfied with what they have; they are always hankering for more. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that such a person is full of anxiety, making elaborate plans and schemes to maintain their status quo or increase their opulence. They build palatial houses and work tirelessly to support their family and prestige. This constant struggle is mistaken for happiness, but it is actually a source of distress.
- O chief of the Bharatas, when there is an increase in the mode of passion, the symptoms of great attachment, uncontrollable desire, hankering, and intense endeavor develop.
- The mode of passion is born of unlimited desires and longings, O son of Kunti, and because of this the embodied living entity is bound to material fruitive actions.
- One engaged in the mode of passion is not only mentally unhappy, but his profession and occupation are also very troublesome. He has to devise so many plans and schemes to acquire enough money to maintain his status quo. This is all miserable.
Diet and Disease
The foods dear to those in the mode of passion are those that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry, and burning. This includes excessively spicy dishes, pickles, and dry foods. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that while these foods may be palatable to the passionate tongue, they cause distress, misery, and disease, such as mucus in the stomach. Unlike foods in goodness which give life, foods in passion eventually produce pain.
- Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, pungent, dry and hot, are liked by people in the modes of passion. Such foods cause pain, distress, and disease.
- Foods in the mode of passion, which are bitter, too salty, or too hot or overly mixed with red pepper, cause misery by producing mucous in the stomach, leading to disease.
Worship for Profit
Religion in the mode of passion is transactional. People in this mode worship God, demigods, or even powerful men, but always with a motive—to gain material benefits like wealth, power, or progeny. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that they may perform ostentatious sacrifices or give charity, but the underlying purpose is to gain respect and honor in society. Such worship is neither stable nor permanent.
- Sometimes sacrifices and rituals are performed for elevation to the heavenly kingdom or for some material benefits in this world. Such sacrifices or ritualistic performances are considered to be in the mode of passion.
- Those ostentatious penances and austerities which are performed in order to gain respect, honor and reverence are said to be in the mode of passion. They are neither stable nor permanent.
Destination of Soul
The destination of a soul acting in the mode of passion is to remain in the middle planetary systems, specifically on Earth. Bhagavad-gītā (BG 14.18) confirms that "those in the mode of passion live on the earthly planets." Because their desires are focused on human society, family, and work, they are given another human body to continue their fruitive activities. There is no release from the cycle of birth and death; only a continuation of the struggle.
- Those situated in the mode of goodness gradually go upward to the higher planets; those in the mode of passion live on the earthly planets; and those in the mode of ignorance go down to the hellish worlds.
- When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when he dies in the mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom.
Lord Brahmā's Role
Lord Brahmā is the incarnation of the mode of passion. As the engineer of the universe, he represents the creative energy required to build the cosmos. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that although Brahmā manages this mode, he is a great devotee. The mode of passion is necessary for creation, just as passion between man and woman is necessary for progeny, but it must be regulated by religious principles to avoid degradation.
- Brahma is the representation of the mode of passion, and Visnu is the representation of the mode of goodness, while the mode of ignorance is represented by Lord Siva, the father of material activities.
- The creator, Brahma, as the incarnation of the passion mode of the Personality of Godhead, creates the universal affairs with unfailing desires in every millennium by the force of the Lord's energy.
Conclusion
The mode of passion is the binding force of modern civilization. It keeps people busy, anxious, and entangled in temporary material pursuits. Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that one must transcend this mode by engaging all creative energy in the service of Kṛṣṇa. By transforming the "work hard" mentality into working hard for Kṛṣṇa, the mode of passion can be dovetailed and purified.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Mode of Passion. 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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