Surrender - The Path to Becoming Free from Anxieties
Anxiety is the common disease of the modern age. In the material world, everyone is full of cares and worries regarding safety, gain, loss, and family. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this state is inevitable as long as one remains entangled in material consciousness. However, there is a state of existence free from all worry, known as Vaikuṇṭha. This article explores the Vedic method of transferring oneself from the anxiety-ridden material plane to the joyful, fearless platform of spiritual surrender.
Root Cause of Anxiety
To understand how to become free from anxiety, one must first understand its cause. Śrīla Prabhupāda often cites the Upanishadic analogy of two birds sitting on the same tree. One bird (the individual soul) is busy eating the fruits of the tree, sometimes tasting bitter and sometimes sweet. Because of this engagement, he is full of anxiety. The other bird (the Supersoul) is simply watching. The suffering bird only finds relief when he turns his face toward his friend.
- There are two birds sitting on the same tree, and one of these birds is eating the fruit of this tree while the other bird is simply witnessing his activities. Only when the bird eating the fruit looks at the other bird does he become free from anxieties.
- If in some way or other he turns his face to his friend who is the Lord and knows His glories - at once the suffering bird becomes free from all anxieties.
Surrender to Vaikuṇṭha
Kṛṣṇa has a name, Vaikuṇṭha, which means "one who is free from anxiety." Therefore, anyone who takes shelter of Kṛṣṇa shares in this quality. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that the moment one surrenders to the Lord, the heavy burden of material responsibility is lifted. This is the state of brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā—the joyful realization of the self.
- If you surrender to Krsna, from that moment you become free from all anxieties; therefore Krsna's name is Vaikuntha.
- As soon as he comes to the understanding of spiritual platform, then he becomes joyful, immediately - freed from all anxieties.
- Bhukti means material enjoyment, and mukti means to become freed from material anxiety and to become one with the Lord.
Freedom from Duality and Duty
Material life is a struggle between opposing forces: heat and cold, happiness and distress, gain and loss. To be free from anxiety, one must become transcendental to these dualities. Furthermore, Śrīla Prabhupāda suggests that renouncing the complex entanglement of family affairs—either through the order of sannyāsa or by remaining a brahmacārī—is a practical way to minimize worldly cares and focus on the goal of life.
- One has to learn tolerance in the face of dualities such as happiness and distress, or cold and warmth, and by tolerating such dualities become free from anxieties regarding gain and loss.
- A retired man, being freed from all responsibility of family affairs (namely, maintaining the home, wife and children) and taking completely to Krsna consciousness, becomes freed from all anxieties and looks as white as clouds in autumn.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is an invitation to leave behind the world of anxiety. By chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, we turn our attention from the bitter fruits of material life to the sweet association of the Supreme Lord. In this way, anyone can attain a life of peace and fearlessness.
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 Becoming Free From Anxieties. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.