Srimad Bhagavatam – day 319
Yama’s attendants continued,
“yena yāvān yathādharmah adharmo veha samīhitaḥ
sa eva tat-phalaṁ bhuṅkte tathā tāvad amutra vai
The individual experiences good and bad in the other planes exactly in proportion to the meritorious and sinful deeds done on earth”.
Please understand this point very clearly.
“O Devatas! In this world, differences such as happiness-sorrows, mixture of happiness- sorrows, righteousness (dharma), unrighteousness (adharma) and a mixture of dharma-adharma are visible. These differences arise due to differences in proportion of the three attributes of Nature (trigunas). Understand that results of fruitive actions experienced by the beings in other planes are also of three divisions.
Based on the present condition, some estimation about the past and future can be made. Likewise based on present activities, the pious and impious deeds of the past birth can be gauged. Moreover, the happiness and sorrows that will be experienced in future can also be predicted.
Lord Yama who is our leader, is birthless. He is an embodiment of illumination. Residing within the heart of every living entity, through his mind he understands the past actions of the individual as well as their inclination to righteous or unrighteous deeds. He thus estimates their future births.
The foolish individual who is enveloped predominantly by ignorance (tamas) considers himself to be the gross body and worships it devotedly. This ignorant man, in whom the memories of past births are erased, cannot understand the righteous and unrighteous deeds of his past lives or of his future lives.
The 5 organs of action, the 5 organs of perception, 5 prāṇās (life-force) and mind constitute the 16 elements in the individual. Egoism is his seventeenth element. Using his 5 organs of action i.e. hands, feet, organ of excretion, organ of reproduction and tongue, he is eternally engrossed in tasks that bring joy to him. These organs of action instigate him towards work that brings happiness to him.
Ear, skin, tongue, eye and nose are the five organs of perception. Using these organs, he understands sound, touch, taste, form and smell. Thus the individual combines with the 10 organs and mind and experiences the worldly objects.
The subtle body is that which is made up of 16 elements, which emerges due to the combination of the trigunas, which is sturdy and strong. This subtle body repeatedly throws the conditioned soul into the unending cycle of re-births”.
Swamiji says: Only when these subjects are repeatedly heard we can understand them. I will repeat once again. Please listen attentively-
The 17 elements that constitute the human being are -the 5 organs of action, 5 organs of perception (senses) and 5 prāṇās, mind and egoism. Hands, feet, tongue, organs of reproduction and excretion are the 5 organs of action. Using them he undertakes activities of his choice. Ear, skin, eye, tongue and nose are the 5 senses using which he understands sound, touch, form, taste and smell in the universe.
This conditioned soul merges with the 16 elements i.e. organs of perception, organs of action and mind to actually experience the objects connected with them. This subtle body which is made up of 16 elements, which emerges due to the three attributes of Nature (trigunas) and which is sturdy and strong, throws the conditioned soul into the unending cycle of re-births.
“This repeated cycle of re-births bestows happiness, sorrows, fear and pain to the conditioned soul. Unable to conquer the six inner enemies of lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego and envy, the spiritually ignorant person propelled by past subtle impressions continues to perform action much against his desire.
A silkworm uses its saliva to spin a cocoon around itself. Unable to exit from this self-created cocoon it perishes therein”.
Swamiji explains: Some silkworms exit from this cocoon. Silk obtained from such cocoons are called Ahimsa silk. Silk obtained when the worms are still in the cocoon is called himsa silk. Wearing ahimsa silk is accepted. Try to avoid himsa silk.
“Likewise the spiritually ignorant human gets entangled in his self-created actions and thus gets trapped in bondages. Even for a second the living entity cannot remain without action. The subtle impressions of past actions control his mind depriving him of his freedom. They force him towards actions.
Based on the previous merits and sins, the conditioned soul is awarded with appropriate gross and subtle bodies which are accompanied by transformations known as birth and death. Due to this unconquerable spiritual ignorance, the conditioned soul at times takes on gross bodies in which he resembles the mother. At times, he takes bodies in which he resembles the father. In certain births, he acquires character and nature of parents. All these extremities arise due to Nature.
Feelings of ‘I and mine’ towards the gross body, mind and senses is the root for this repeated cycle of births and deaths. Worshipping the Supreme Lord with absolute love and devotion is the only method by which this repeated cycle of re-births can be destroyed.
Ajāmila was a supremely learned Vedic scholar and an embodiment of all noble qualities. His character and behavior were exemplary. He was gentle in approach and possessed extreme sense-control. He strictly abided by the vow of truthfulness. He lived with absolute inner and outer cleanliness. Without feelings of arrogance, this pure saintly Brahmin dutifully respected his Gurus, elders, guests and served them”.
Madhusudanaya namah