THEMATIC ESSENCE OF UDDHAVA-GÉT Ä Lesson 20: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond THEMATIC ESSENCE OF UDDHAVA-GÉT Ä Lesson 20: The Three Modes of Nature and Beyond (SB Canto 11, Chapter 25) 3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 1

Recap—Importance of understanding the three modes, or qualities of material nature  (also Bg 13.22)  The spirit soul trapped in material conception of life—even though it is not real, it does seem real (ex: the dream state)  Bhikñu-gétä of the the Avanté brähmaëa  the mind absorbed in material conception of life, the false ego  experience material dualities 3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 2

 There is a connection  material dualities follow sense gratification  Cannot see the illusory nature when the soul (thus the mind) trapped in sense gratification  excessive attachment to family  dharma-artha- käma, religious activities only for sense enjoyment  Bhikñu-gétä (22.57)  “material world is not my enemy, but the mind absorbed in it is the cause of my miseries” (Chapter 25  it is the mind that manifests the modes)  Only when para-ätma-niñöhäm, or devotion to the Supreme Person  realization that this material world (the physical body and the senses) is meant for His service) 3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 3

 Krsna instructed on  Sänkhya philosophy, or the analytical study of matter and spirit  looking at the material world with one’s intelligence  break the illusion of enjoyable material elements  see himself as different from his body  Cosmic creation and annihilation  material world is real but temporary and ever-changing, while the spirit soul with the mind still absorbed in material desires for sense enjoyment must enter repeatedly in the cosmic cycles of creation and dissolution  Distinction between the body and self is dependent upon more thorough understanding of how the modes or the qualities of material nature work or bind 3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 4

  Krsna as the viräö-puruña is the basis of Sänkhya, or the unifying element of matter and spirit  The living entity placed in the nature of illusion of not being able to see Krsna, even though he wants  subject matter of chapters 25 and 26  Chapter 27  how to turn to Krsna or Krsna consciousness by Deity worship 3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 5

Chapter 25 Highlights  Characteristics and symptoms of the unmixed and mixed modes (1-19)  All kinds of items or activities in material existence as a function of the three modes of material nature compared to transcendence (20-30)  How to become free from or go beyond the three modes of material nature (31-36) 3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 6

3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 7 Unmixed mode of material nature Personal traits (2-5, 9) Goodness (sattva) Self control of the mind and senses  tolerance, intelligence, discrimination, adherence to one’s prescribed duty, truthfulness, mercy, satisfaction, etc Passion (rajas) Lustiness  hankering and over- endeavor for sense enjoyment, greed, false pride, desire for recognition by others, ridicule others, etc Ignorance (tamas) Anger  speaking without scriptural authority, violence and envy towards others, hypocrisy, laziness, depression, etc

3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 8 Preponderance in mixed modes Personal traits & the mindset (13- 19) Goodness (sattva) Illumination with knowledge, pure & full of auspicious omens  happiness, virtue, clear consciousness, material detachment, fearlessness, etc Passion (rajas) Material attachment, divisiveness & restlessness  work relentlessly for fame and fortune, misdirected intelligence due to hyperactive mental attitude, anxiety/stress, etc Ignorance (tamas) Consistently unwise, dull-headed, laziness and excessive sleepiness, illusion, and lamentation  think violence as solution to all his problems, total lethargy, inattentive, cannot function properly, chronic depression, etc

3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 9 Modes/ItemsGoodnessPassionIgnoranceTranscendence Worship of the Lord (10-11) Offering of the results of their prescribed duties without attachments Desire for sense gratification Desire to harm othersThe Supreme Lord Himself control the modes, and thus unaffected (12) Three states of consciousness (20) Alter & wakefulnessDream stateDreamless, deep sleep4 th state of consciousness Destination after death (21-22) Heavenly or upper planetary systems as the demigods or sages Earthly planets as humans Lower species of life on hellish planets Spiritual worlds Work done (23) Without attachment offered to the Lord Desire to enjoy the results Violence impelled by envy For the pleasure of the Lord Knowledge (24) Distinction between matter & spirit Based on dualities of material existence That results in foolishness Knowledge of the Supreme Lord Residence or dwelling (25) Forest or ruralCity or town lifeGambling houseTemple or where the Lord performed His pastimes Worker (26) detachedMaterially attachedNo conception of what is to be done or not to be done Who has taken shelter of the Lord’s lotus feet Faith (27) Spiritual lifeRooted in fruitive activities Sinful activitiesDevotional service unto the Lord Food (28) Wholesome, nourishing & pure Sensual pleasureUnclean (meat, fish, eggs, etc) that causes distress Krsna-prasädam Happiness (29) Based on satisfactionDerived from sense enjoyment Derived from degraded activities In relation to the Lord

How to become free from or go beyond the modes? (31-36)  Anyone who has not taken shelter of the Lord’s devotional service is surely in the grips of the modes, or false ego.  It is the mind that manifests the modes  sum and substance of material life. One can conquer the modes by execution of devotional service (ds) unto the Supreme Lord  the most direct method. 3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 10

 Therefore, those intelligent beings in human body, which enable spiritual knowledge and its practical application, should subdue their senses, and should cultivate conquering the lower modes of passion and ignorance by engaging in relation to the mode of goodness through ds  the indirect method.  By the execution of ds, which automatically enables freedom from the modes  attains transcendental stage (suddha-sattva, or pure mode of goodness as opposed to material mode of goodness)  discards his subtle body and goes back to Godhead. 3/3/2012Carucandra Dasa 11