Curing the Material Disease - Why the Body and Nature Give Us Trouble
In the material world, "giving trouble" is not an anomaly but a constant condition of existence. From the moment of birth, the living entity is besieged by the threefold miseries: adhyātmika (troubles caused by the body and mind), adhibhautika (troubles caused by other living entities), and adhidaivika (troubles caused by natural disturbances). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this artificial, rebellious condition is a result of the soul's attempt to pose as the supreme enjoyer. Whether it is the nagging pain of a disease, the harassment of pests like mosquitoes, or the systemic cruelty of demoniac leaders, these troubles serve as a reminder that the material world is not our true home. By understanding our constitutional position and adopting a life of nonviolence and tolerance, we can transcend this cycle of giving and receiving trouble and attain the peace of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The Inherent Suffering of the Material Body
The material body is often compared to a complex machine that is prone to constant malfunction. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that even if one attempts to ignore the spiritual side of life, the temporary body will inevitably give one trouble through the senses, the life airs, and the organs of evacuation. This physical distress is a direct consequence of the conditioned soul's attempt to find happiness in sense gratification. As long as one is encased in these material elements, one must be prepared for the perturbation caused by the body's various functions and eventual decay.
- Although the body is temporary, it always gives one trouble in many ways.
- Although this body is temporary, it is always giving one trouble in many ways. Therefore, to act for sense gratification is not good.
- Narayana said, "Everyone greatly values his body because only with the body can one fulfill all the desires of one’s mind. We should not, therefore, unnecessarily give trouble to the body."
- The rectum also gives one trouble, and the evacuation process becomes difficult.
Trouble from External Entities and Subtle Forces
Beyond the miseries of the body, the conditioned soul is constantly harassed by other living entities, a condition known as adhibhautika. This range of trouble includes everything from common pests like mosquitoes, flies, and bedbugs to the more sinister influence of evil spirits like Bhūtas and Pretas. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that these forces cause loss of memory, madness, and bad dreams. In human society, this manifests as godless kings or envious neighbors who, puffed up by material wealth and education, make a show of strength by giving trouble to the innocent.
- Even there is no enmity, there are so many living entities, just like bugs, mosquitoes, other animals. They are always prepared to give us trouble. This is called adhibhautika.
- Evil spirits like Bhutas, Pretas, Pisacas, Yaksas, Raksasas and Vinayakas are always ready to give trouble to the body, the life air and the senses, causing loss of memory, madness and bad dreams - SB 10.6.27-29.
- Godless kings or heads of state, when puffed up by advancement of material wealth, education and increase of population, always make a show of military strength and give trouble to the innocent.
- Sometimes the conditioned soul in household life, being attached to material wealth and possessions, is disturbed by gadflies and mosquitoes, and sometimes locusts, birds of prey and rats give him trouble.
The Demoniac Propensity and Divine Protection
The history of the universe is marked by the clash between those who serve God and those who wish to replace Him. It is the nature of the demoniac to give devotees trouble, often through extreme measures of aggression and envy. However, Kṛṣṇa has two primary concerns: to protect those who take shelter of Him and to give trouble to the demoniac. When demons like Hiraṇyakaśipu or Rāvaṇa cross the limit by giving trouble to pure devotees like Prahlāda Mahārāja or Sītādevī, the Lord personally descends to kill the demons and provide relief to the entire universe.
- His (Krsna's) first business is to give pleasure to His devotees, and His second business is to kill the demons, who are always giving the devotees trouble.
- Lord Brahma said: O Supreme Lord of all lords, proprietor of the entire universe, O benedictor of all living entities, O original person, because of our good fortune You have now killed this sinful demon, who was giving trouble to the entire universe.
- Ravana continuously caused trouble for others, but when his sinful activities culminated in giving trouble to Sitadevi, he was killed by Lord Ramacandra.
- The words klesadas tesam anasanna-padam tava indicate that the Lord has two concerns. The first is to give protection to persons who take shelter of His lotus feet, and the second is to give trouble to those who are always demoniac.
The Devotee's Path of Tolerance and Nonviolence
A hallmark of a Kṛṣṇa conscious person is the refusal to give trouble to others. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that a devotee should not give unnecessary trouble to any living entity, even a small bug. Furthermore, a pure devotee exhibits an extraordinary level of tolerance, as seen in the life of Arjuna or Prahlāda Mahārāja. Such devotees do not even want to give Kṛṣṇa trouble by asking for their own maintenance. By accepting both pleasure and pain as the mercy of the Lord and remaining fixed in devotional service, they transcend the material platform where giving and receiving trouble is the norm.
- Rupa Gosvami's instructions, One should not be under the spell of lamentation in loss or tribulation in gain. 7) One should not disrespect the demigods. 8) One should not give unnecessary trouble to any living entity.
- Don't make any plan. Accept Krsna's plan. That will be simply giving trouble to Krsna. Therefore, a devotee does not pray even for his maintenance. That is pure devotee. He doesn't give trouble to Krsna even for his bare maintenance.
- Krsna is always with Arjuna, but you'll never find they have requested, "Krsna, I am Your friend, and I am in so much difficulty." This is pure devotion. I love God. God may give me any kind of trouble - I don't mind; I will suffer patiently.
- So-called humanitarian love means they're loving some human being, but the animals are being killed. Why they do not love the animals? Because imperfect. But the Krsna conscious person will never kill an animal or give trouble to animal even.
Conclusion
Trouble is the natural climate of the material world, designed by māyā to correct the rebellious spirit of the living entity. As Śrīla Prabhupāda has systematically presented, the threefold miseries and the various entities that give us trouble are inescapable so long as we remain in the bodily conception of life. However, by taking the "trouble" to understand our eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa, we can cure this material disease. The Lord's protection is always available to those who surrender, and the devotee's path of nonviolence and tolerance provides the only exit from the cycle of aggression and suffering. Ultimately, when we stop trying to lord it over nature and instead serve the Supreme Lord, the troubles of the body and nature cease to be impediments and instead become opportunities for deepening our dependence on Kṛṣṇa.
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 Giving Trouble. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.