6. The Science of Material Life

The Result of Sense Gratification Object orientation develops attachment

“While contemplating the objects of the senses, a person develops attachment for them, and from such attachment lust develops, and from lust anger arises. From anger, complete delusion arises, and from delusion bewilderment of memory. When memory is bewildered, intelligence is lost, and when intelligence is lost one falls down again into the material pool.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 2.62-2.63)

Attachment develops lust Lust develops anger Anger develops delusions Delusions lead to bewilderment of memory Memory bewilderment leads to loss of intelligence Loss of intelligence leads to ignorance Ignorance leads to degradation and lower species

“As a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man’s intelligence.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 2.67) “When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when one dies in the mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.15)

“Life’s desires should never be directed toward sense gratification. One should desire only a healthy life, or self-preservation, since a human being is meant for inquiry about the Absolute Truth. Nothing else should be the goal of one’s works.” (Shrimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.10)

We act according to our consciousness development All embodied souls become conditioned to act in three modes, depending on their consciousness development: Goodness, passion, and ignorance. Consciousness Development Based on the people we associate with and what we see and hear. We will develop a type of consciousness.

Level Type of Consciousness Transcendental

Qualities Developed “The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: Fearlessness; purification of one’s existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquility; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor – these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.(Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.13) “Humility; pridelessness; nonviolence; tolerance; simplicity; approaching a bona fide spiritual master; cleanliness; steadiness; self-control; renunciation of the objects of sense gratification; absence of false ego; the perception of the evil of birth, death, old age and disease; detachment; freedom from entanglement with children, wife, home and the rest; even-mindedness amid pleasant and unpleasant events; constant and unalloyed devotion to Me; aspiring to live in a solitary place; detachment from the general mass of people; accepting the importance of self-realization; and philosophical search for the Absolute Truth – all these I declare to be knowledge, and besides this whatever there may be is ignorance.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 13.8-12) Food Choice: Freshly cooked vegetarian dishes and fruits that are first offered to Lord Krishna. 3 Goodness

The above transcendental qualities to a lower degree.

Passion

Food choice: “Foods dear to those in the mode of goodness increase the duration of life, purify one’s existence and give strength, health, happiness and satisfaction. Such foods are juicy, fatty, wholesome, and pleasing to the heart.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.8) A mixture of the transcendental and ignorance qualities to a lower degree.

Ignorance

Food choice: “Foods that are too bitter, too sour, salty, hot, pungent, dry and burning are dear to those in the mode of passion. Such foods cause distress, misery and disease.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita17.9) “Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness and ignorance – these qualities belong to those of demoniac nature, O son of Prtha.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.4) Food choice: “Food prepared more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.10) The Result of the Consciousness Developed “When one dies in the mode of passion, he takes birth among those engaged in fruitive activities; and when he dies in the mode of ignorance, he takes birth in the animal kingdom.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad Gita 14.15) “When one dies in the mode of goodness, he attains to the pure higher planets.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad Gita 14.14)

We get what we desire and deserve Everything we do including our thoughts will have a reaction which will be in proportion to our actions. Life is an intelligent design; nothing happens by chance. We cannot figure out what action lead to what reaction. This is because we cannot remember all our actions in the past. this and previous lives. “The intricacies of action are very hard to understand. Therefore, one should know properly what action is, what forbidden action is and what inaction is.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 4.17)

Social Work System When people are suitably assigned for work roles based on their qualifications, the society functions properly. Otherwise the society becomes degraded. Role in Society

Qualifications Developed

Brahmanas – Priestly

“Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom and religiousness – these are the natural qualities by which the brahmanas work.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.42) “Heroism, power, determination, resourcefulness, courage in battle, generosity and leadership are the natural qualities of work for the kṣatriyas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.43) “Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the vaisyas...” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.44) “…and for the sudras there are labor and service to others.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.44)

Ksatriyas – Administration

Vaisyas – Business and Farming Sudras – Laborers

The concept of assigning people for work roles based on their qualifications is used by every organization in the world.

From a religious standing, everyone can become perfect, regardless of their work role in society. “By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect. Now please hear from Me how this can be done. By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is allpervading, a man can attain perfection through performing his own work.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.45-46) Perform Austerities Austerity of the Body

“Austerity of the body consists in worship of the Supreme Lord, the brahmanas, the spiritual master, and superiors like the father and mother, and in cleanliness, simplicity, celibacy and nonviolence.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.14) Take bath daily, brush teeth twice, keep the home and work areas clean, keep the mouth free from flesh, tobacco, and alcohol. Don’t make unnecessary noises.

Austerity of the Speech

“Austerity of speech consists in speaking words that are truthful, pleasing, beneficial, and not agitating to others, and also in regularly reciting Vedic literature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.15) Don’t talk non-sense, always speak the truth.

Austerity of the Mind

“And satisfaction, simplicity, gravity, self-control and purification of one’s existence are the austerities of the mind.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.16) Have a service to all attitude. Think of the well-being of all living beings and do something for their benefit.

Charity is Important Good Charity

“Charity given out of duty, without expectation of return, at the proper time and place, and to a worthy person is considered to be in the mode of goodness.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.20)

Ok Charity

“But charity performed with the expectation of some return, or with a desire for fruitive results, or in a grudging mood is said to be charity in the mode of passion.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.21)

Wasted Charity

“And charity performed at an impure place, at an improper time, to unworthy persons, or without proper attention and respect is said to be in the mode of ignorance.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 17.22)