When Life Is Becoming Difficult - Material Struggles and Spiritual Solutions
The material world is often described as duḥkhālayam—a place of misery. In the current age, this reality is becoming increasingly palpable. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that due to the "unauthorized plans" of modern civilization, life is becoming difficult for the common man. Prices are rising, relationships are fraying, and spiritual knowledge is being covered by the weeds of negligence. Yet, in the face of these formidable obstacles, the Vaiṣṇava philosophy offers a simple and potent solution: the mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
Struggle for Existence
Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights several areas where life is becoming harder. Economically, the cost of living is skyrocketing due to godless leadership, making it difficult for the poor to survive. socially, the family unit is under attack; when a family member becomes an enemy, the home—usually a sanctuary—becomes unbearable. Physically, old age and disease make the body a burden, like a field overgrown with thorns that is difficult to cultivate. These difficulties are the natural reactions to a society that has turned away from natural, God-given laws.
- Due to their (the living entities') unauthorized plans for economic development, the price of commodities is rising daily all over the world, so much so that is has become difficult for the poorer classes, and they are suffering the consequences.
- When a family member becomes an enemy it is very difficult to live in family life or remain a householder. Generally such situations occur in the material world.
- When a field is overgrown with thorns and weeds, it becomes very difficult for the owner to work it. That is the position of the spirit soul when the body itself becomes a burden due to disease.
Spiritual Impediments
Beyond material survival, the path to self-realization faces its own hurdles. The primary obstacle is the strong sex impulse. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the union of man and woman creates a "tight knot" in the heart that is extremely difficult to untie. This is why the Kumāras chose to remain children—to avoid the disturbance of youth where celibacy becomes difficult. Furthermore, due to the influence of time and neglect, the scriptures have become "covered" like an unused road in the rainy season, making the path of dharma hard to discern.
- Naturally there is tendency - a man wants woman; a woman wants man. This is the material world, pumsam striya mithuni-bhavam, sex impetus. That is natural. But when they are united, that impact becomes very, very tight. It is very difficult to give it up.
- In the rainy season some of the roads are not frequently used and become covered with long grasses, and thus it becomes very difficult to see the road. Similarly, in this age the transcendental scriptures are not properly studied by the brahmanas.
Secret to Ease
How can one navigate such a difficult world? Śrīla Prabhupāda shares a secret from the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa: remember Lord Caitanya. It is stated that by remembering Him, difficult things become easy. Conversely, if one forgets Him, even easy things become difficult. This principle applies to spiritual practice as well. Chanting sixteen rounds may seem difficult to the neophyte, but by following the instructions of the spiritual master and seeking the mercy of Gaurāṅga, the impossible becomes possible.
- Things that are very difficult to do become easy to execute if one somehow or other simply remembers Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. But if one does not remember Him, even easy things become very difficult.
- The Hari-bhakti-vilasa confirms that difficult things become easy to understand if one remembers Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and easy things become very difficult to understand if one forgets Him.
- Practically we see that even chanting sixteen rounds becomes difficult. So don't try to imitate, but do it properly, what is advised by your spiritual master, without any offense. That mantra will save you from the dangers of maya.
Simplicity is Strength
Finally, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that we should not make life more complicated than it needs to be. Preaching, for example, is often seen as a difficult task. But he explains that it is actually simple: "Just repeat what Kṛṣṇa has said." It only becomes difficult when we try to manufacture our own philosophy ("rascaldom"). By sticking to the authorized message, we avoid unnecessary trouble.
- This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission. Don't manufacture, rascaldom. Simply repeat what Krsna has said. And it is simple. And as soon as you try to manufacture, it becomes difficult.
- To become a bona fide spiritual master there is no difficulty, simply if we carry the message of Krsna as it is, without any adulteration.
Conclusion
While the material world is designed to be a place of struggle, the devotee can transcend these difficulties. By taking shelter of the light of the guru and the mercy of Lord Caitanya, the darkness of ignorance is dispelled. As Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us, finding things in the dark is hard, but in the daylight, there is no difficulty at all.
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 Difficult. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.