People Are Suffering - The Cause and the Cure
The entire world is in a state of suffering. Śrīla Prabhupāda observes that despite material advancement, people are unhappy, anxious, and distressed. The cause of this suffering is not a lack of money or technology, but a fundamental disconnection from the source of all joy—Kṛṣṇa. By forgetting their eternal relationship with God and engaging in sinful activities, humanity has invited the stringent punishment of material nature.
The Root Cause: Forgetfulness of God
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the living entity is by nature joyful. However, due to the influence of māyā (illusion), the soul identifies with the body and seeks pleasure in the temporary. This forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa is the seed of all misery. Just as a diseased man suffers because he is out of balance, a materialist suffers because he is out of touch with his spiritual nature.
- A Krsna Conscious person knows that if a man is suffering it is due to his forgetfulness of his eternal relationship with Krsna. Therefore, the highest benefit one can render to human society is relieving one's neighbor from all material problems.
- God is joyful, and we are part and parcel of God; we are by nature joyful. But by freaks of nature, because we are prone to be allured by the illusory nature, we have come to this material world; therefore, we are suffering. Enjoyment is our birthright.
- Spiritual life means normal life, and material life means diseased life. Therefore we are always suffering in materialistic way of life. Diseased condition means suffering.
- Because of forgetfulness of this object (the only lovable object for everyone), people are suffering in this material world, but if one fortunately revives his old consciousness of loving Krsna and connects with Visvatma, one becomes perfect.
Sinful Activities and Nature's Reaction
Suffering is not accidental; it is a reaction to sinful activities. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that when people ignore the laws of God—engaging in illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication, and gambling—nature retaliates. Droughts, wars, and food scarcity are the direct results of these sins. Even though God provides sufficient food, the mismanagement caused by godlessness leads to starvation in one place and waste in another.
- Nature is very cruel. She does not excuse anyone. When people do not care for nature, they commit all kinds of sinful activities, and consequently they have to suffer.
- Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma. Because of uncontrolled senses, people fully engage in sinful activities by which they get a body full of suffering.
- Of course, we do not want to criticize, but according to sastra, people will suffer more and more. And they must suffer. Because they are becoming godless, they must suffer. That is nature's punishment.
- By God's arrangement there is sufficient food, land and prospects for food on this planet, but we have arranged things in such a way that in one part of the world people are suffering and in another part they are throwing grains in the ocean.
The Compassion of a Devotee
A true devotee, or vaiṣṇava, is described as para-duḥkha-duḥkhī—one who suffers to see the suffering of others. Unlike the materialist who is concerned only with their own comfort, a devotee is always thinking of how to save humanity from its ignorance. This compassion drives the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Preaching is the highest welfare activity because it addresses the root cause of suffering, unlike ordinary altruism which only treats the symptoms.
- It is the natural desire of a Vaisnava to save suffering humanity. Generally others do not care whether people suffer or not, but a Vaisnava, a devotee of the Lord, is always thinking of how to alleviate the fallen condition of the people.
- Sadhu means that they are always compassionate with the sufferings of the people in general. That is sadhu.
- We cannot stand to see people suffering due to ignorance. What is that ignorance? They do not know that they are not their body.
- Whatever Krsna consciousness movement is going forward, it is due to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's magnanimous compassion for the poor people suffering in this Kali-yuga. Otherwise, to become Krsna conscious is not very easy job, is not easy job.
The Cure: Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
The only permanent cure for the disease of material suffering is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that if people simply chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and follow the regulative principles, all their problems—economic, social, and political—will be solved. This spiritual knowledge enlightens the soul, frees it from the cycle of birth and death, and restores it to the world of no anxiety (Vaikuṇṭha).
- At present there are droughts throughout Europe and America, and people are suffering, but if people take this Krsna Conciousness movement seriously, if they stop their sinful activities and chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, all their problems will be solved without difficulty.
- People are suffering for want of Krsna consciousness. Therefore each and every one of us should be engaged in the preaching work of Krsna consciousness for the benefit of the whole world.
- If a mantra has so power, why it should be secret? It should be distributed. People are suffering. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Chant this Hare Krsna mantra. Anyone who will hear... Even the birds and beasts will hear and they will be liberated."
- What about this material world? Padam padam yad vipadam: (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.14.58) this is a place not for devotees but for people who are suffering. Therefore Kuntidevi suggests, - This Krsna consciousness is the medicine for your suffering. Take it and be happy.
Conclusion
People are suffering not because God is unkind, but because they have rejected His shelter. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is the practical solution to the world's misery. By spreading this knowledge, we can help people reclaim their birthright of eternal happiness.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category People Are Suffering. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.