- Srimad Bhagavatam lecture of Srila Prabhupada at Iskcon Newtown Kolkata
- Verse Number: SB 3.25.23
- Lecture date: Nov 23, 1974
- Lecture location: Bombay
- Chapter Name: The Glories of Devotional Service
- Lecture Link: https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741123sbbom/
- Day/Date: Thursday/29th May 2025
While speaking on SB 3.25.23, Srila Prabhupada explained why devotees of Krishna do not suffer. Even if suffering comes to devotees, he is able to tolerate it and transcend it.
mad-āśrayāḥ kathā mṛṣṭāḥ
śṛṇvanti kathayanti ca
tapanti vividhās tāpā
naitān mad-gata-cetasaḥ
Translation
Engaged constantly in chanting and hearing about Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sādhus do not suffer from material miseries because they are always filled with thoughts of My pastimes and activities.
Following are few important points from Srila Prabhupada’s lecture
- If we understand properly that “I am not this body,” then, although there is suffering, you will not feel very much..
- When we shall feel pleasure by hearing about Kṛṣṇa or talking about Kṛṣṇa, we must know that we are making progress on the path of perfection.
- And at that time any kind of this material suffering will not be felt.
Below article is based on the lecture of Srila Prabhupada
State of unhappiness
Sometimes this material world is compared to a prison house where the rebellious souls like us who have gone against the desire of Krishna is kept and punished.
But some compare this material world to a hospital where we the diseased souls are sent to get cured. Our heart which is inflicted by lust, anger and greed needs treatment.
And this material world is also compared to an ocean where we are being tossed up and down by the waves of material miseries.
Now whether it’s a prison, or a hospital or the turbulent waves of the ocean, it’s a state of unhappiness.
So, the only possible solution is to come out of it. But the choice is left upon us by God. We have to decide if we want to remain stuck in it or want to quickly come out of it.
Now no one wants to suffer but sadly no one knows how not to suffer. Absorbed in material life people explore material means to ward off suffering and invite pleasure in their life. But it does not work. Why? Because how much happiness a prisoner, a patient or a drowning man can get. Almost nothing. So, the scriptures ask us to give up hope of enjoying in this material world.
But does it mean that here we cannot be happy? If our consciousness is material, then happiness is a distant dream but if our consciousness becomes spiritual then happiness will become our constant companion.
Suffering is directly proportional to our material attachment
For consciousness to become spiritual, we have to bring Krishna in our life. As soon as we transform our consciousness from material to spiritual our miseries cease to exist. As long as we consider this material world, our material body everything we will suffer.
But as soon as realization dawns in our heart that we are not material beings meant for unlimited sufferings, but spiritual beings meant for unlimited enjoyment, we try best to free ourselves from material consciousness.
We understand we are not this body, but we are soul. This body is an outer covering, and it will disintegrate one day. Just we discard old and torn clothes similarly one day we will have to discard when the body becomes unfit and diseased.
When we understand this that I am not this body, then bodily suffering will not bother us much. When we understand that we are different from the mind then mind will also not trouble us a lot. Most of time suffering is directly proportional to our attachment and absorption in a thing.
For example, if we are too much attached to our car then even a small dent can make us miserable. Similarly, if we are too bodily conscious then any suffering pertaining to body will disturb us a lot. But instead of being thoroughly absorbed in our body if we become absorbed in practicing devotion to Krishna then suffering of this world will not disturb us much.
Being absorbed in chanting & hearing devotees of Krishna do not suffer
Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.23 says that a devotee of Krishna does not suffer at all because they are always engaged in hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord.
“Engaged constantly in chanting and hearing about Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the sādhus do not suffer from material miseries because they are always filled with thoughts of My pastimes and activities.” Srimad Bhagavatam 3.25.23
Prahlad Maharaj echoes this statement. He says, “I know the formula for being happy.” And the formula is to be always remember Krishna and never forget Krishna.
So, in this material world where suffering is inevitable, we have the opportunity to free ourselves from all sufferings. This becomes possible when we become devotees of Krishna and remain engaged in hearing and chanting about Krishna.
