Hare Krishna!!
Modern generation, nowadays, is a generation of competitions. No Competition means No Advancement. It is obvious that to stay longer in competition, we have to pay a huge cost. Enough time and money to invest on the self is the need!! To stay longer means to pay the price of tolerance and austerity.
Yes! Penance- The Need!!
Let’s discuss about this starting with a few questions!!
Penance is meant for what? What will we gain by penance? Does it mean to leave everything and remain idle?
Let’s search out the answers by turning the divine pages of Vedic literatures….
Vedic Literatures
In Srimad Bhagavatam(2.9.20), The Supreme
Personality of Godhead discuss about penances of two types. On the one hand, there is penance meant for sense gratification. Whereas, on the other hand, it is for self- realisation.
Penance for sense gratification brings a burden of dissatisfaction and offers no realisation of The Absolute Truth. Such sort of penances are more prominent in today’s societies. And who are the practitioners??? Persons in mode of passion and ignorance, impersonalists and non- devotees practice such penances. It brings nothing but chaos in society. One such penance undertaken is for developing nuclear weapons, which is never-ever satisfying The Supreme Lord.
On the contrary, penances for self- realisation brings peace and prosperity in our lives and societies. This always pleases The Supreme Lord, as well as the living beings. Eternal Spiritual Advancement is, for sure, guaranteed then.
In SB(2.9.9), The Supreme Lord says, “The trouble accepted in executing bhakti-yoga is transcendental happiness from the very beginning, whereas the trouble of penance in other processes of self-realization (jñāna-yoga, dhyāna-yoga,
etc.), without any Vaikuṇṭha realization, ends in trouble only and nothing more.”
Penances like Reading and Distributing the Divine knowledge of Bhagavad Gita, Chanting and Glorifying the Supreme Lord and His eternal devotees etc. brings transcendental happiness in the beginning, as well as, in the end.
Penance is non- different from Him. It is the heart and soul of Him (SB 2.9.23).
In BG(3.10-11), The Supreme Lord advices to maintain cooperation among men and demigods by performing work to satisfy Him, i.e. to perform sacrifice. Then, how could we misinterpret it and say aloud, “Remain idle pleases The Supreme Lord!!” NO, Absolutely no!! It is ignorance only.
Whatever austerity we do, is for knowing the true self. Austerity without self- realisation is beating husks without grains. It is simply foolishness. Also, if we perform in the mode of passion or competitiveness, the result so obtained is not permanent and pleasing. (antavat tu phalam tesām: BG 7.23).
Austerity or penance is mandatory, not a choice. Real penance is executing the devotional service to
The Lord under the guidance of the spiritual master. Executing such penance with right attitude surely ensures eternal peace, bliss, knowledge and prosperity in our lives.
Let’s perform it altogether in this Kartika Month and gain more advancement in our eternal spiritual journey ahead…
Hare Krishna!!