Why Everyone is Becoming Afraid in the Material World
Fear is a constant companion of the conditioned soul. In Sanskrit, it is known as bhaya. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that just as eating, sleeping, and mating are demands of the body, "becoming afraid" is a fundamental symptom of material existence. From the small ant to the King of Heaven, everyone is anxious about protecting their position. This article explores the root causes of this universal fear and how it can be transformed from a source of suffering into an impetus for spiritual shelter.
Nature of Material Existence
The material world is often described as padāṁ padāṁ yad vipadām—a place where there is danger at every step. Consequently, the living entity is always on the defensive. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that nations develop huge military forces and individuals lock their doors simply because they are afraid. This fear stems from attachment to the temporary body; as one ages, the fear of death becomes prominent, forcing the realization that material advancement cannot save one from the inevitable.
- Bhaya means "to become afraid of." That is material nature. We are always afraid of. Therefore we have military strength. Your country is very busy in that way, how to protect. Everyone should be, protection.
- A sane person, by attaining old age, will become fearful of death. Foolish people engage in material activities as if they will live forever and enjoy material advancement, but actually there is no material advancement.
- As is the nature of this material world, the King of heaven, Indra, is very anxious if a great sage undergoes severe austerities. The whole material world is filled with such envy that everyone becomes afraid of his neighbors.
A Positive Fear
While material fear is agonizing, there is a type of fear that acts as a purifying agent. When a person becomes aware of the laws of karma, they naturally become afraid of the reactions to their sins. This fear is healthy because it prompts the individual to stop sinful activities. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of the hunter who, after associating with Nārada Muni, became afraid of killing even an ant. This awakening of conscience is the first step toward liberation.
- Although the hunter was very sinful, his heart became softened, and he became afraid of his sins by virtue of his association with a great devotee like Narada.
- People are taking shelter of the Vedic literature who have become afraid of this conditional life. What is the end of Vedic literature? Just to get oneself liberated from this material entanglement.
Fear in the Spiritual World
Interestingly, the emotion of being afraid also exists in the spiritual world, but it is of a different quality. In the pastimes of Kṛṣṇa, fear is used to create variety and pleasure. When Mother Yaśodā chases Kṛṣṇa with a stick, the Supreme Lord—of whom fear personified is afraid—becomes genuinely fearful. This "transcendental fear" is an expression of intense love, proving that God is a person who reciprocates with the feelings of His devotees.
- When Krsna saw Mother Yasoda coming with a rope to bind Him, He immediately became very much afraid, thinking, "Oh, Mother is going to bind Me." He began to cry, and the tears washed the mascara from His eyes.
- Mother Yasoda said, "I see that the child (Krsna) is very fearless, but in spite of His fearlessness, I am becoming more and more afraid of His falling into some danger."
Conclusion
Fear is unavoidable as long as we identify with the material body. However, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement offers a way to utilize this sentiment. Instead of being afraid of temporary enemies or death, one should be afraid of māyā (illusion) and the prospect of forgetting God. By taking shelter of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, who is known as Abhaya (fearlessness), the conditioned soul can finally step out of the circle of anxiety and enter the realm of eternal peace.
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 Afraid. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.