Preyas and Shreyas

7/29/2019 Preyas and Shreyas

1/7

Preyas and Shreyas

byHARE KRISHNAon Friday, January 14, 2011 at 7:00am

According to Vedic civilization, a human being mustbe God conscious. He should understand what God is, what this material

world is, who he is, and what their interrelationships are. This is called

shreyas, or ultimately auspicious activity. (Shrila Prabhupada,ChaitanyaCharitamrita, Adi 9.42 Purport)

An ultimate goal, a supreme benefit which trumps all others, is a concept overlooked byphilosophers who expound theories other than complete and full surrender unto theSupreme Personality of Godhead. In order for a benediction to be considered superior,the duration of its existence must be longer than that of any other benefit and thereward itself must also provide greater bliss than any other type of enjoyment.Immediate satisfaction is referred to as preyas in Sanskrit, and the ultimate goal isreferred to as shreyas. Only the philosophers following the line of bhakti-yoga, ordevotional service, touch on shreyas because bhakti is the only discipline which speaks

to the eternal nature of the soul, an intrinsic property that the individual is neverdivorced from.

Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in thefuture shall any of us cease to be. (Lord Krishna speaking to Arjuna,Bhagavad-gita,2.12)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/HARE-KRISHNA/243048554645http://www.facebook.com/pages/HARE-KRISHNA/243048554645http://www.facebook.com/pages/HARE-KRISHNA/243048554645http://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/64/Chaitanya-Charitamrita.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/64/Chaitanya-Charitamrita.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/64/Chaitanya-Charitamrita.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/64/Chaitanya-Charitamrita.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Teachings/DevotionalService/tabid/91/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Teachings/DevotionalService/tabid/91/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/54/Bhagavad-gita-As-It-Is.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/54/Bhagavad-gita-As-It-Is.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/54/Bhagavad-gita-As-It-Is.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/54/Bhagavad-gita-As-It-Is.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Teachings/DevotionalService/tabid/91/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/64/Chaitanya-Charitamrita.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/64/Chaitanya-Charitamrita.aspxhttp://www.facebook.com/pages/HARE-KRISHNA/243048554645


2/7

While it may be difficult to comprehend, we are all eternal

beings. We existed in the past, we exist currently, and we will exist in the future. Thisinformation is kindly provided to us in the Bhagavad-gita, the scripture of scriptures, theconcise and complete treatise on Vedic philosophy and the science of self-realization.Religionis indeed a science, or at least it is intended to be. Spirituality is assumed to bea matter of faith, and while there is certainly belief required in a bona fide system ofself-realization, the differences between matter and spirit are wholly capable of beinglogically deduced and scientifically observed. At the time of birth, a spiritual spark isinjected into the tiniest of bodies. This autonomous entity, the soul, which is burstingwith potential for activity, then serves as the catalyst for growth and development,ultimately leading to the exit from the womb of the mother. The growth doesnt stopthere, as the newborn slowly turns into a child, then an adolescent, and then hopefullyan adult. The outer covering of the spiritual spark constantly changes, but the impetusfor action does not. The spirit soul within the body retains its properties at all times,

even after death. At the end of life, the soul exits the body and immediately transfers toanother one. The previous body is then left to rot and decay.

The skeptic will say, What proof do you have that the soul doesnt die with the body?Can you prove that the soul existed in a body previous to its current one? Aside fromthe visual proof of the current body - a form which completely changes from the time ofyouth to the time of adulthood, with the identity of the individual remaining intactthroughout - there is obvious evidence gathered from the nature of matter and its
http://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/393/Religion-and-Spirituality.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/393/Religion-and-Spirituality.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/393/Religion-and-Spirituality.aspx


3/7

workings. No amount of chemicals can create a life on their own. The body parts,including the hair and nails, are dull and lifeless without the spirit soul within. Proof ofthis is seen when these appendages and external coverings are separated from theinternal spark. They immediately decay and become useless. Therefore we cantconclude that matter and chemicals are the be all and end all.

That knowledge by which a different type of living entity is seen to be dwelling indifferent bodies is knowledge in the mode of passion.(Lord Krishna, Bg. 18.21)

Understanding these facts is quite difficult, especially dueto the cloud of nescience that surrounds the individual soul at the time of birth. Deludedby ignorance brought on by material contact, the individual has the tendency to concocttheir own philosophies which take immediate gratification as the end goal of all activity.Such philosophies arent surprising to see because it is the nature of the soul to be

blissful. Happiness, love, and independence are characteristics of spirit, traits which cannever be removed from the individual. In the conditioned state, these tendencies aremisdirected, or at least governed by a misguided notion. Yet even without anyreference to spirituality, we can conclude that a philosophy which only seeks immediatesatisfaction, or preyas, is an inferior one.

A simple example that supports this claim is the lifestyle of the child. As is wellunderstood, small children usually have no desire to work, go to school, or actresponsibly. They simply want to play all day. They want their toys and they want them

now. This is the typical example of preyas, wherein immediate satisfaction is desired. Ifsuch satisfaction isnt received, the child will cry. Now, will a good parent encourage

such behavior for any extended period of time? Will they allow the pursuit of immediatesatisfaction to continue uninterrupted? A good parent surely will not. Eventually thechild will be enrolled in school and strict limits on behavior will be imposed. This isntdone to thwart the blissful nature of the child, but rather, to ensure their futurehappiness. A parent knows that simply playing all day is not good for the child, for inadulthood they will have to be educated enough to hold down a steady job.
http://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Worship/LordKrishna/tabid/60/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Worship/LordKrishna/tabid/60/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Worship/LordKrishna/tabid/60/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Worship/LordKrishna/tabid/60/Default.aspx


4/7

The concern for the future well-being is the first indicationofshreyas, or an ultimate goal. In order to secure shreyas, some sort of penance isrequired, along with adherence to sacrifice, or regulated activity. Without suchpractices, the ultimate goal is very difficult to come by. One may argue that the

philosophies posited by the gross materialists and pseudo-spiritualists do indeed dealwith shreyas. For instance, those who practice gymnastics yoga aim to help the bodyachieve a future condition of good health and flexibility. The advocates of life in themode of passion, wherein a person finds a particular material interest and dedicatesthemselves to it, also seem to be seeking a future goal, one of a heightened level ofsense gratification.

The Vedic seers, those who have attained true shreyas, understand that suchphilosophies actually seek preyas, or short-term goals, with the reason being that thetime allotted for the enjoyment of the perceived ultimate goal in these activities is stillvery small in the grand scheme of things. Ones historical perspective begins from theday they were born. We tend to think that the first time we saw a television,automobile, or computer was the first time those particular objects existed. In reality,material life has been going on long before we took birth. In the big picture, our timeon earth is miniscule.

The ultimate objectives of a happy and peaceful family life and increased sensegratification through acquisition of material objects are seen as preyas because thebody ultimately has to be discarded. We are all bound to die at some point, so trueshreyas can only deal with the future plight of the soul. This is where bhakti-yoga, ordevotional service, comes into play. Just as the soul is eternal, so is its ideal companion.

Though the eternal well-wishing friend is addressed by different names by differentpeople, He is indeed the most attractive, blissful, and pleasure-giving entity. This makessense because if the soul is going to spend eternity with someone, the complementaryentity must be one who can provide the greatest pleasure. In romantic affairs, theconcept of a soul mate applies to a significant other who sparks an interest in the heartand provides bliss, excitement, and satisfaction. The Supreme Companion, that oneperson who gives the soul the greatest satisfaction, proves to be the most sublimelover.


5/7

In the Vedic tradition, this original personality is known asKrishna. He is also known as Vishnu, Rama,Narasimha, Chaitanya, and thousands ofother names which describe His limitless transcendental forms, each of which, includingthe original of Krishna, provides transcendental bliss to the conditioned soul seeking theultimate goal in life. So how do we associate with Krishna? This is the million dollarquestion. Just as the goals of achieving a good education, landing a decent job, andmaintaining a steady family life require some sacrifice and adherence to penance,shreyas in respect to association with Krishna requires a similar level of dedication.

After attaining Me, the great souls, who are yogis in devotion, never return to thistemporary world, which is full of miseries, because they have attained the highest

perfection. (Lord Krishna, Bg. 8.15)

The key to associating with Krishna is having the right consciousness. A personsactivities drive their mindset, which then forms their consciousness. At the time ofdeath, this consciousness is measured by the higher authorities, who in turn decidewhere the soul will end up next. When thoughts and desires are fixed on the lotus feetof the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Shri Krishna, immediate ascension to thespiritual realm is granted. Not only does the soul ascend to a planetary system that itnever has to exit, but it also gets to remain in Krishnas association forever.

Consciousness is the key to happiness, as it can provide bliss and pleasure to a person

while they are still in their present body. Unlike other philosophies which promise autopian ideal in the future, wherein there is no anger, resentment, hatred, frustration,etc., the discipline of devotional service, or Krishna consciousness, actually deliversallthe promised benefits. With other systems, there is certainly a benefit achieved, but theresults arent everlasting. For example, we can acquire all the wealth in the world andown hundreds of lavish homes, but the mind will still be at work. Frustration is theresult of unmet desires. Defeat in the area of sense gratification then leads to anger,
http://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/419/Narasimha-Chaturdashi-2010.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/419/Narasimha-Chaturdashi-2010.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/419/Narasimha-Chaturdashi-2010.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/419/Narasimha-Chaturdashi-2010.aspx


6/7

resentment, hatred, and the loss of rationality. Such a condition cannot be consideredfavorable by any fair estimation, therefore the philosophy which led to it must also beconsidered defective.

Krishna consciousness is superior because it has norelation to material objects or personal relationships. Rather, it deals entirely with thestate of the mind and attaining a level of consciousness which leads to satisfaction. Inorder for the mind to be satisfied, desire must be controlled. Reining in the thoughtsand wants of the flickering mind is only possible by taking to bhakti, the quintessentialact of which is thechantingof the holy names of the Lord,Hare Krishna Hare Krishna,Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare . Chantingalone is enough to purify ones consciousness.

Rival philosophers and spiritualists will argue that chanting by itself is not enough, for itdoes nothing to increase ones knowledge or level of renunciation. Though such anargument seems like it has merit, one must understand what the purpose is of

knowledge and renunciation. Just as the educated student eventually uses theiracquired knowledge for their benefit, the knowledge and renunciation achieved in thespiritual field similarly must lead to something. That tangible result is the perfect stateof mind: God consciousness. But if one simply chants Hare Krishna all the time andmaintains a simple lifestyle, they are essentially achieving the perfect state ofconsciousness without any extraneous endeavor towards knowledge or renunciation.Knowledge must have a goal, for simply having an education is useless. One may havea law or medical degree, but if they are not steadily practicing, their high educationreally has no value. In a similar manner, knowledge of spiritual matters must lead to a

shift in consciousness; otherwise the information acquired is not put to good use.

Any activity of bhakti-yoga, be it chanting, hearing, worshiping, or remembering,automatically has retraction built into it. If one is regularly hearing from theShrimadBhagavatamand Bhagavad-gita in all sincerity, they arent eating meat, drinkingalcohol, or engaging inillicit sex. On the other side, if a person is refraining from sinfulactivities, but hearing about sense gratification or even simply sitting in an empty room,their consciousness remains an open target for attack by the forces of ignorance drivenby the illusory energy known as maya.
http://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Teachings/Chanting/tabid/84/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Teachings/Chanting/tabid/84/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Teachings/Chanting/tabid/84/Default.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/272/Hare-Krishna.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/272/Hare-Krishna.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/272/Hare-Krishna.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/272/Hare-Krishna.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/65/Shrimad-Bhagavatam.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/65/Shrimad-Bhagavatam.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/65/Shrimad-Bhagavatam.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/65/Shrimad-Bhagavatam.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/124/Illicit-Sex.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/124/Illicit-Sex.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/124/Illicit-Sex.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/124/Illicit-Sex.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/65/Shrimad-Bhagavatam.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/65/Shrimad-Bhagavatam.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/272/Hare-Krishna.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/News/Blog/tabid/57/EntryId/272/Hare-Krishna.aspxhttp://www.krishnasmercy.org/dotnetnuke/Teachings/Chanting/tabid/84/Default.aspx


7/7

Bhakti-yoga is the only discipline whichbrings about real shreyas. Consciousness is the key to happiness, and any disciplinewhich serves to purify the mind by fixing it on the form and name of the Supreme Lordmust be considered a bona fide religion. Such a system is so powerful that the benefitsare seen very quickly, even before a person leaves their present body. Short-term goalsare certainly nice, but if were seeking a more permanent pleasurable condition, weneed look no further than to the lotus feet of the all-blissful Supreme Personality ofGodhead.

Documents

Preyas and Shreyas