दैवी ह्येषा गुणमयी मम माया दुरत्यया | मामेव ये प्रपद्यन्ते मायामेतां तरन्ति ते || 14 || |
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“My power of Maya, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who surrender unto Me cross over it easily.”
Commentary: Lord Krishna describes one of His powers, Maya, which encompasses the three modes of material nature (sattva, rajas, and tamas). He explains that Maya is difficult to overcome by one’s own efforts and understanding alone. However, He reassures that those who surrender unto Him can transcend the influence of Maya.
Maya
In the material world, there exists a reality that transcends conventional knowledge. It suggests that alongside the benevolent power of God, there also exists a conscious dark side deliberately woven into the fabric of creation. Humanity finds itself embroiled in an eternal war—a cosmic struggle between righteousness, known as Dharma, and this opposing force.
Countless souls remain oblivious to or even deny the existence of this conscious darkness. It is referred to by various names across diverse spiritual traditions – Maya, Satan, Mara, Tempter, Evil – but its essence remains unchanged. This sinister and conscious entity exerts an incessant force, cunningly designed to sever the bond between humankind and God, enticing them further from the path of enlightenment.
An army of formidable forces and myriad vices lie at the disposal of this conscious dark side – kāma (desire), krodha (anger), lobha (greed), moha (delusion), mada (arrogance), mātsarya (envy), and numerous other insidious tendencies. Shadripus or Arishadvargas: These are six negative emotions or inner enemies known as ‘Shadripus’ that can hinder an individual’s spiritual and personal growth. These are Kāma (desire/lust), Krodha (anger), Lobha (greed), Moha (delusion/attachment), Mada (pride/ego), and Mātsarya (envy).
1. Kāma (Desire/Lust):
Kāma refers to intense desire or craving for sensory pleasures, especially in a selfish or uncontrolled manner. It can be related to physical desires, emotional attachments, or material possessions. For example, a seeker may struggle to focus on spiritual practices due to strong desires for worldly pleasures and distractions. An individual may become obsessed with acquiring material possessions, leading to financial imbalance and discontent.
2. Krodha (Anger):
Krodha represents uncontrolled or intense anger and resentment towards others or situations. It arises from frustration, unmet expectations, or feelings of injustice. A person may become angry with themselves or others.
3. Lobha (Greed):
Lobha is an excessive and insatiable desire for wealth, possessions, or power. It can lead to selfishness and a lack of empathy for others. For example, a seeker may be more interested in acquiring spiritual knowledge for personal gain rather than seeking self-realization and sharing wisdom with others. An individual may engage in unethical practices or hoard resources, neglecting the needs of others and causing harm to the community.
4. Moha (Delusion/Attachment):
Moha is emotional attachment or strong infatuation with people, possessions, or circumstances, leading to deluded thinking and lack of discernment. For example, a devotee may become overly attached to rituals and external symbols, losing sight of the deeper essence of spirituality. A person may remain attached to an outdated business model or idea, resisting necessary changes and hindering progress. An individual may covet something that is rightfully owned by others.
5. Mada (Pride/Ego):
Mada refers to excessive pride and arrogance, leading to a sense of superiority and self-centeredness. It blinds individuals to their own shortcomings. For example, a spiritual teacher may become prideful of his/her knowledge and belittle others who do not share the same level of understanding. A successful entrepreneur may develop an inflated ego and disregard valuable input from team members, affecting team dynamics and decision-making.
6. Mātsarya (Envy):
Mātsarya is an emotion of jealousy or envy towards others’ achievements, possessions, or qualities. It arises from a sense of inadequacy and comparison. For example, a spiritual aspirant may feel envious of someone who has achieved higher states of consciousness, leading to frustration and self-doubt. An employee may feel jealous of a colleague’s promotion, leading to resentment and a negative work atmosphere.
There are also obstacles according to Sage Patanjali such as Vyādhi (illness), Styāna (Laziness), Samshaya (Doubt), Pramāda (Negligence), Ālasya (Indolence), Avirati (Lack of restraint), Bhrānthi darshana (Delusion), Ālabdhabhumikatva (Non-achievement), Anavasthitatva (Instability).
Vyādhi: Refers to physical or mental illness, disease, or affliction. It signifies a state of being unwell or experiencing health-related challenges.
Styāna: Indicates mental stagnation, or dullness. It represents a lack of motivation, or energy to engage in productive activities. It is a state of lethargy and lack of enthusiasm in pursuing one’s spiritual practices or life goals. For example, someone may find it difficult to wake up early in the morning for meditation or exercise due to a feeling of Styana, where they lack the mental clarity and vigor to take positive actions. Similarly, people may feel mentally stagnant and uninterested in exploring new career opportunities, leading to a sense of complacency, and hindering their chances of professional growth.
Samshaya: Translates to doubt or uncertainty. It signifies a state of questioning, skepticism, or hesitation about a particular belief, decision, or course of action. For instance, an individual may doubt their abilities to succeed in a new job role, leading to reluctance in accepting the opportunity. A person may have doubts about the effectiveness of their chosen career path or spiritual practice, which again hinders progress and commitment to it.
Pramāda: Refers to negligence or carelessness. It denotes a lack of attentiveness, leading to mistakes, oversights, or unintended consequences. For example, someone might neglect to follow dietary restrictions advised by a doctor or a well-wisher, leading to health issues. A person might fail to review a contract thoroughly, resulting in unforeseen financial liabilities.
Ālasya: Signifies indolence or laziness. It represents a state of reluctance to exert effort or engage in activities to move forward. Laziness can manifest as procrastination or avoiding essential tasks required for success. For example, someone may postpone important projects or skip networking opportunities due to lack of motivation, which can impede their career progress. People might have the desire to study sacred texts or do yoga, but due to Ālasya, they procrastinate and avoid such activities, hindering their spiritual growth.
Avirati: Refers to lack of restraint or lack of self-control. It is the inability or unwillingness to control one’s senses and desires, leading to indulgence in sensory pleasures. For example, a person might struggle with overeating or excessive material cravings. It can also be observed when someone overspends or indulges excessively in luxurious items beyond their means. This lack of financial discipline can lead to debt and financial instability, hindering their long-term success.
Bhrānti Darshana: Indicates deluded or false perception. It represents a state of erroneous or distorted understanding, where one perceives truth inaccurately or through the lens of illusion. For instance, a person may misinterpret some spiritual experience as enlightenment. It can occur when someone has unrealistic expectations about the market economy or may believe in overnight success without putting in the necessary effort, leading to disappointment and setbacks.
Ālabdha-bhumikatva: Translates to lack of progress or achievement. It occurs when an individual remains stuck at a particular stage or level of development without further advancement. For example, despite years of study or practice, a person may not understand or experience any significant growth in their realization. It is seen when an individual remains stuck in the same job position or business status without significant advancement.
Anavasthitatva: Refers to instability or lack of consistency. It signifies fluctuating commitment and lack of consistency to spiritual practices or material goals. For example, someone may start a business venture or spiritual practice with great enthusiasm but lose regular interest or give up when faced with initial challenges, leading to a lack of continuity and success.
Due to these actively insidious forces, the true nature of consciousness is veiled, and the universe appears to be real. Chief among the arsenal employed by Maya is desire – a restless yearning (vikshepa shakti) that ignites within the human heart. This insatiable craving for physical fulfillment serves as a potent instrument, expertly wielded by the dark force. By captivating individuals with material pleasures and ephemeral distractions, it effectively obstructs their pursuit of spiritual growth and self-realization.
Through the strategic deployment of these weapons, the conscious power of illusion skillfully diverts individuals from their spiritual destinies, undermining their quest for transcendence and realization of their divine potential. It is because of this satanic power that we are unable to perceive the true nature of reality and are caught up in the cycle of birth and death.
One of my teachers, Mr. Sri Ram said, “Evil is the misunderstood wisdom of God”. What may appear as evil or negative in the world is part of a greater divine plan or wisdom that is beyond human comprehension. This philosophy encourages contemplation and humility, acknowledging that there may be profound reasons for what we perceive as evil, even if we cannot fully comprehend them. It reminds us to trust in a higher power and embrace faith, even when faced with challenges or difficulties.
This verse highlights the importance of surrendering to the Supreme and relying on His divine grace. By seeking the shelter of the Lord and engaging in devotional practices, individuals can overcome the influence of Maya and attain liberation from the material world.