Preaching Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Means We Must Learn to Tolerate
In the endeavor to spread spiritual knowledge, the path is often fraught with obstacles and opposition. Through the realized instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we learn that a preacher of Kṛṣṇa consciousness cannot expect a smooth journey in a world dominated by illusion. To successfully deliver the message of Godhead, one must cultivate profound tolerance to withstand all external dualities and personal inconveniences.
The Instruction of Bhagavad-gītā
The fundamental principle of enduring the material world is established by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā. He explains that the dualities of happiness and distress are merely the results of sensory interaction with the environment, acting much like the passing seasons of winter and summer. As emphasized by Śrīla Prabhupāda, the intelligent soul must learn to tolerate these temporary appearances without becoming agitated, remaining fixed in the discharge of prescribed spiritual duties.
- The nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception and one must learn to tolerate them (BG 2.14).
- BG 2.14 - They (happiness and distress) arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
- Lord Krsna advised Arjuna: They (happiness and distress) arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed - BG 2.14.
- Lord Krsna thus informed Arjuna: "They (happiness and distress) arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed." All the distresses brought about by the body come and go.
- In the proper discharge of duty, one has to learn to tolerate nonpermanent appearances and disappearances of happiness and distress.
Enduring Bodily Frailties and Disease
As long as the spirit soul is encased in a physical form, it will inevitably be subjected to the miseries of disease and old age. Expecting a life free from bodily pain is a misconception, as suffering is an inherent characteristic of material existence. By applying the philosophy taught by Śrīla Prabhupāda, a devotee understands that physical distresses must be patiently tolerated so that they do not disrupt one's progress on the spiritual path.
- Regarding your problem, first thing is that the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita is that one must learn to tolerate the sufferings due to the frailties of the material body.
- Disease will always be there at some time while there is this material body, but this we must tolerate and not be very much agitated by.
- The girl who has got health problems must learn to be tolerant. As long as the material body will be there, there will only be pain. Pleasure is a misconception.
- Happiness and distress are concommitant factors of material life. One should learn to tolerate, as advised in Bhagavad-gita.
- Because I am accustomed to think like that (my son or my grandfather is dying). So there must be grief. - So Krsna replied, "Yes, that's a fact. So that you must have to tolerate, that's all. There is no other remedy." Tams titiksasva bharata - BG 2.14.
Detachment from the Bodily Conception
True spiritual advancement requires a conscious uncoupling of the self from the false identity of the physical body and its extensions. Relationships with family, friends, and society often bring temporary pleasures followed by inevitable grief or friction. The guidance given by Śrīla Prabhupāda directs us to practice detachment and celibacy, learning to tolerate the social and emotional dualities that arise from the bodily concept of life.
- Insofar as one strives to get out of bodily conceptions - not out of the body but out of bodily conceptions - one has to learn to tolerate such dualities.
- Even though one is sometimes absorbed in such external movements, he has to learn to tolerate them. The living entity should be always indifferent to the action and reaction of the external body.
- One has to learn how to tolerate the temporary pains and pleasures of this material world. One must also be detached from his family and practice celibacy.
- Another difficulty is that in modern civilization everyone is independent spirited. The girls are no longer very much humble and submissive to their husbands. So you must be prepared to tolerate such whims of your future wife.
The Practice of Tapasya and Austerity
Voluntary acceptance of inconvenience for the sake of spiritual advancement is known as tapasya, or austerity. Whether it means taking a cold bath early in the morning or strictly following the regulative principles, these practices train the mind and senses to become subordinate to higher goals. As noted by Śrīla Prabhupāda, this training in tolerance begins from childhood in the Vedic culture, equipping the individual to remain undisturbed by the extremes of heat, cold, and other sensory perceptions.
- There is severe cold, chilly cold, but my duty is to take bath in the morning. So we must tolerate. I must tolerate that chilly cold, and still, I take my bath. This is called tapasya.
- The first training is given to become austere, tolerate, how to tolerate, how to call other women as "mother." He is learning from the beginning, a small child. He is trained up to call any woman, even of his own age, not "sister" - mother.
- They (heat and cold, happiness and distress) arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed - BG 2.14.
Preaching Amidst Opposition
The mission of distributing spiritual knowledge is the most compassionate welfare work, yet it is often met with resistance from an atheistic society. When attempting to deliver the conditioned souls, a preacher will inevitably encounter challenging behaviors and polluted mentalities from the general public. It is a strict requirement highlighted by Śrīla Prabhupāda that devotees must learn to tolerate the asuras and push forward with the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement regardless of the obstacles presented.
- Everyone in the material world is more or less an asura, an atheist. If one preaches, one has to learn to tolerate the asuras and speak in such a way that they can also become devotees.
- For the devotees of the Lord there always many difficulties for propagating Krsna consciousness among the nondevotee demons. But we must learn to tolerate all the difficulties and push on regardless of whatever obstacles we may be presented with.
- We have come to distribute Krsna consciousness movement. We must tolerate and give this message to the people. Karunikah. Very merciful, in spite of all trouble.
- For the present we must tolerate such conditions (polluted soil, air and man's motives). Actually, these are material considerations only.
The Eternal Joy of Spiritual Life
Although the initial stages of devotional service may involve some struggle against material conditioning, the ultimate result is everlasting bliss. The inconveniences experienced while practicing and preaching are fleeting when compared to the eternal nature of the soul and its relationship with the Supreme Lord. Through the encouragement of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we are assured that by tolerating these temporary discomforts, we will successfully transcend the dualities of this world and joyfully realize our ultimate spiritual goal.
- It (bhakti) does not even finish with the end of the body, but it continues eternally. And it is joyfully performed. At first, though, there may be some inconveniences, but we must tolerate them and we shall realize the goal.
- The nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, and one must learn to tolerate them.
- They (happiness and distress) arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.
Conclusion
The path of spiritual realization and preaching is undoubtedly challenging, as it requires one to swim against the current of material nature. However, by strictly following the guidance of Śrīla Prabhupāda, a devotee learns to view all distresses and inconveniences as temporary passing seasons. When one is equipped with the armor of tolerance, the difficulties of this world cannot impede the eternal, joyful execution of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
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 Must Learn to Tolerate. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.