Conquering the Miseries of Birth, Old Age, Disease and Death
Śrīla Prabhupāda presents a profound analysis of the human condition, identifying the fourfold miseries of birth, old age, disease, and death as the central problems of existence. He argues that no matter how much material progress a civilization makes, if it cannot solve these four fundamental issues, its advancement is illusory. This article explores Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings on the inescapable nature of these miseries within the material world and the spiritual process required to transcend them.
Real Principles of Material Misery
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that an intelligent person must recognize the true nature of suffering. While society often focuses on temporary political or economic difficulties, the real enemies of the living entity are the unavoidable conditions of birth, death, old age, and disease, which destroy all material happiness.
- An intelligent man should always keep before him four principles of material miseries: birth, death, old age and disease. These are instruction of the Bhagavad-gita.
- Actually, we have to conquer birth, death, disease and old age, and because there is no possibility of overcoming all these miserable conditions, due to the illusion of maya, we are simply meeting with parabhava, or defeat.
- Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita 13.9 that the real sufferings of the material world are four - janma-mrtyu jara-vyadhi (birth, death, old age and disease). In the history of the world, no one has been successful in conquering these miseries imposed by material nature.
Illusion of Scientific and Material Advancement
According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, modern civilization is misguided because it attempts to make a comfortable situation within a burning house. He points out that despite billions of dollars spent on scientific research and space exploration, scientists are powerless to stop death or prevent old age, rendering their claims of success invalid.
- All advancement of science, knowledge, philosophy, theology - anything - the idea is how to stop the miserable condition of life. But the real miserable condition of life, according to Bhagavad-gita, is birth, death, old age and disease.
- Although they (material scientists) spend billions of dollars of the public's money for ventures like going to the moon and collecting dust there, they cannot solve the basic miserable conditions of birth, death, old age and disease.
- The real miseries of life is birth, death, old age and disease. You cannot do anything. So where is your advancement of knowledge? The scientists cannot stop death, cannot stop birth.
Universality of Suffering in the Material World
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that suffering is not limited to Earth or the lower species; it is pervasive throughout the entire universe. Even on the highest material planet, Brahmaloka, where life spans are incredibly long, the living entities are still subjected to the cycle of birth and death, proving that there is no safe haven within the material creation.
- From the highest planet in the material world down to the lowest, all are places of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. But one who attains to My (Krsna's) abode, O son of Kunti, never takes birth again.
- Even if one goes to Brahmaloka, the highest planet in the material atmosphere, one is not actually perfectly situated. There is really no benefit because even on Brahmaloka the four miseries of material existence are found: birth, old age, disease and death.
- There are innumerable universes and also innumerable planets in each of them. But none of them is immune to the chief miseries of material existence, namely the pangs of birth, the pangs of death, the pangs of old age and the pangs of disease.
Material Body as the Source of Misery
The root cause of suffering, as explained by Śrīla Prabhupāda, is the acceptance of a material body. He teaches that as long as the eternal soul is encased in a temporary physical form, it must endure the tribulations inherent to that form, and true relief comes only when the cycle of reincarnation is broken.
- As soon as you overcome the cycle of birth and death, you overcome all miseries. Because birth and death means this material body. The living entity, spirit soul, has no birth and death.
- If I am eternal, then why I shall remain in this material body which is subjected to death, birth, old age and disease? Therefore Krsna instructs that this miserable condition of life is due to this material body.
- Just as you are repeating changes of dress, so you are repeating birth and death, and this is the cause of your miseries. If you do not understand this, then all your activities end in defeat.
The Cure: Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
Śrīla Prabhupāda offers the ultimate solution to these fourfold miseries: the process of devotional service to the Supreme Lord. He explains that by taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa and becoming purified, one can stop the repetition of birth and death and attain the eternal spiritual world, which is free from all suffering.
- These four material miseries (namely birth, disease, old age and death) are called bhava-roga, or material diseases. They can be cured only by Krsna consciousness. Therefore Krsna consciousness is the greatest benediction for human society.
- Anyone who wishes to get out of this prison house of material existence, which is full of miseries like repetition of birth, death, disease and old age, must please Lord Visnu for such liberation.
- The ultimate solution to the problems of life is to go back home, back to Godhead, and thus, as stated in the Bhagavad-gita (8.16), the miseries of material existence - birth, death, old age and disease - are removed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings provide a clear diagnosis of the material disease: the fourfold miseries of birth, old age, disease, and death. He dispels the illusion that material advancement or change of location within the universe can offer relief. Instead, he guides humanity toward the only viable cure—Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By understanding the temporary and miserable nature of the material body and seeking shelter at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, one can achieve the highest perfection of life and return home, back to Godhead, eternally free from all suffering.
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 of Birth, Old Age, Disease and Death. 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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