JaneSmith105
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Material life presents itself with two distinct opportunities yet both opportunities result in the same conclusion, namely material exhaustion. If one is on the path of prakriti marg, then everything related to material well being is accepted as beneficial. Through the process of prakriti marg, karma kanda and jnana karma activities are performed. The resultant actions generally lead one to a higher status of life on the earth planet or higher planets within the universal planetary system. Material life can become decidedly more comfortable, being relatively free from the material inebriety's of birth, death, old age and disease. However, since the material influence can never be fully absent, there are always traces of the aforementioned problems. The materially minded individual tries to use his limited time for improving his life but the results of hard fruitive labor do not often equal the peaceful comforts one is seeking. Even if someone is able to amass some fortune or fame, the cost of maintaining one's lifestyle is itself exhaustive. Thus we find that the path of prakriti marg can only result in exhaustion, much like the effects of a nervous breakdown. So, whether one is successful or not in his quest for material comfort, he ultimately must meet with exhaustion. This type of exhaustion typifies the first example in our discussion.
The second example of material exhaustion is demonstrated by someone in proper knowledge. This individual, through personal experience and superior direction, understands the intricacies of material life and tries to avoid it's predictable course. Instead of falling victim to the material exhausting paths of karma and jnana kanda, the wise soul chooses a path of voluntary material detachment. He too is material exhausted but not by force but by choice. One who experiences material exhaustion by force, may again resume his material activities only to have the same thing occur again and again, both within this life and over a period of endless reincarnations. One who voluntarily accepts the path of material renunciation does so from experience. He is a learned soul and is on the path of pusti marg or real renunciation..
Thus, material life, whether performed with or without knowledge, will ultimately result in material exhaustion. It is at this point that true knowledge can begin. Sometimes, by the grace of a bona fide spiritual master, one is granted the path of pusti marg, or voluntary renunciation. He is taught that to use everything in the service of the Lord results in perfect material renunciation. But until one is actually renounced, there is always a chance of falling victim to unnecessary attachments. The Supreme Lord Himself states this fact in the Bhagavad Gita, " Sometimes a soul on the royal road of bhakti does not complete his mission within one life. The results of his efforts, however, are not lost. Rather they are carried forth to his next life, where again he is quickly attracted to spiritual life to resume his search for the Absolute Truth." Lord Krishna also states that for one who is engaged in His service but due to circumstances falls victim to material attachments, is still to be considered saintly and in due course of time will be absolved of any misunderstandings by the Lord within his heart. So, for one who is devoted to the Personal form the Lord and is practicing the all auspicious path of pusti marg or bhakti yoga, the Lord Himself is there to assist. Wherever there is Krishna, there is no possibility of defeat, just as Arjuna witnessed in the now famous Bhagavad Gita or Song of God.
Material renunciation and Krishna Consciousness go well together. Krishna is the owner and controller of everything but due to an illusory covering called Maya, individual souls believe themselves to be in control. Krishna appears from time to time in His original transcendental form to encourage His conditioned parts and parcels to give up their false attachment to the material world. He recommends that we surrender unto Him unconditionally and fix our minds upon His transcendental form. The best method is to act in a detached way while performing our duties and surrender all the results unto Him. Gradually, step by step, our minds will become fully detached from the material energy and eagerly attached to Krishna's devotional service. Attachment to Krishna automatically means detachment from matter but detachment from matter does not automatically bring attachment to Krishna. Under the guidance of a proper and bona fide spiritual master, one is introduced to the superior practice of bhakti yoga. Without artificially attempting renunciation from matter, the bhakti yogi achieves steady material renunciation by finding pleasure in the transcendental loving service of Krishna whereas other types of yogis are only able to find temporary relief from material life due to their ignorance of Krishna's supreme position.
source: krsnaconsciousness.org
The second example of material exhaustion is demonstrated by someone in proper knowledge. This individual, through personal experience and superior direction, understands the intricacies of material life and tries to avoid it's predictable course. Instead of falling victim to the material exhausting paths of karma and jnana kanda, the wise soul chooses a path of voluntary material detachment. He too is material exhausted but not by force but by choice. One who experiences material exhaustion by force, may again resume his material activities only to have the same thing occur again and again, both within this life and over a period of endless reincarnations. One who voluntarily accepts the path of material renunciation does so from experience. He is a learned soul and is on the path of pusti marg or real renunciation..
Thus, material life, whether performed with or without knowledge, will ultimately result in material exhaustion. It is at this point that true knowledge can begin. Sometimes, by the grace of a bona fide spiritual master, one is granted the path of pusti marg, or voluntary renunciation. He is taught that to use everything in the service of the Lord results in perfect material renunciation. But until one is actually renounced, there is always a chance of falling victim to unnecessary attachments. The Supreme Lord Himself states this fact in the Bhagavad Gita, " Sometimes a soul on the royal road of bhakti does not complete his mission within one life. The results of his efforts, however, are not lost. Rather they are carried forth to his next life, where again he is quickly attracted to spiritual life to resume his search for the Absolute Truth." Lord Krishna also states that for one who is engaged in His service but due to circumstances falls victim to material attachments, is still to be considered saintly and in due course of time will be absolved of any misunderstandings by the Lord within his heart. So, for one who is devoted to the Personal form the Lord and is practicing the all auspicious path of pusti marg or bhakti yoga, the Lord Himself is there to assist. Wherever there is Krishna, there is no possibility of defeat, just as Arjuna witnessed in the now famous Bhagavad Gita or Song of God.
Material renunciation and Krishna Consciousness go well together. Krishna is the owner and controller of everything but due to an illusory covering called Maya, individual souls believe themselves to be in control. Krishna appears from time to time in His original transcendental form to encourage His conditioned parts and parcels to give up their false attachment to the material world. He recommends that we surrender unto Him unconditionally and fix our minds upon His transcendental form. The best method is to act in a detached way while performing our duties and surrender all the results unto Him. Gradually, step by step, our minds will become fully detached from the material energy and eagerly attached to Krishna's devotional service. Attachment to Krishna automatically means detachment from matter but detachment from matter does not automatically bring attachment to Krishna. Under the guidance of a proper and bona fide spiritual master, one is introduced to the superior practice of bhakti yoga. Without artificially attempting renunciation from matter, the bhakti yogi achieves steady material renunciation by finding pleasure in the transcendental loving service of Krishna whereas other types of yogis are only able to find temporary relief from material life due to their ignorance of Krishna's supreme position.
source: krsnaconsciousness.org
