Question:

A) Discuss a devotee’s attitude toward suffering.

B) With reference to the response of Dharma (SB 1.17.18).
C) How can you personally apply these principles?

THE PRIMORDIAL CAUSE OF SUFFERING-

PERSPECTIVE ANALYSES

Right from time immemorial, the cause of suffering and its effect on
different living entities has been a conundrum for empirical philosophers.
Consequently, in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.17.18, Dharma (the bull) elucidates that
the cow and himself are “unable to ascertain the root cause of our sufferings (na
vayaṁ kleśa-bījāni) because they are bewildered (vimohitāḥ) by all the different
opinions of such philosophers.” Let’s explore this subject matter from different
perspectives and arrive at a conclusion about the absolute cause of all suffering.

Explanations provided by materialistic philosophers

Some philosophers (Mimamsa-Vadis) ascertain karma (reaction to past
misdeeds) to be the cause, and others (astrologers) blame malefic planets as
responsible. Yet, others (jnana-yogis) proclaim the mind as the cause of
suffering, while the gross materialists (Sāṅkhyaites) maintain that nature is the
ultimate cause. The causes mentioned above by different philosophers are
accurate from their perspectives and are considered the immediate cause. But,
the absolute cause, often hidden, is above these causes. According to
Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, “such speculators are themselves bewildered, and thus they
cannot know that the ultimate cause of all causes is the Supreme Lord, the
Personality of Godhead” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.17.18p). Lord himself confirms
in Bhagavad-gītā 10.4-5: “Pleasure, pain…...of the living beings arise only from
me”. A mature devotee understands that the planets cannot be the cause because
they depend on the movement of time. Neither karma, which is insentient, nor
the mind, which is dependent on the soul, is the ultimate cause.

All the reasons mentioned above provoke me to blame the external factors
during my suffering instead of deep internal introspection. I should remember
not to be influenced by all these atheistic explanations during times of distress, as
none are absolute.

The neophyte mentality

In the case of benefit or happiness, a devotee generally acknowledges it as
God-gifted. However, while facing reverses, an immature neophyte is often
skeptical about the Lord’s protection, thinking how He could be so unkind to His
devotee by putting him in great difficulty. Also, he quickly blames the mischief-
mongers as the immediate cause. On the other hand, a mature devotee accepts
everything, either favorable or unfavorable, as ordained by the Lord.

At my neophyte level, I cannot understand the higher purpose and often

blame the mischief-mongers for their sufferings while doubting the Lord's
protection. I learn the right attitude from Dharma and the cow who “knew
perfectly well that the personality of Kali was the direct cause of their
sufferings, still, as devotees of the Lord, they knew well also that without the
sanction of the Lord no one could inflict trouble upon them” (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 1.17.18p). Despite being influenced by a neophyte mentality during
troublesome situations, I must not hold a grudge against the mischief-mongers
(instrument of suffering), knowing there is a higher cause behind it.

The attitude of mature sādhakas

A sincere mature sādhaka accepts sufferings as fructification of seedling

sins and past misdeeds. At the same time, he understands that purely based on
his karma, the suffering would have been much worse. Śrīla Prabhupada
explains that “they tolerate the sufferings, thinking them to be God-given in
small doses, for otherwise, the sufferings should have been greater" (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 1.17.18p). In addition, the sādhaka also thinks that he is
experiencing reactions to devotional offenses.

I must endeavor to inculcate this attitude of patiently tolerating my

sufferings with the understanding that by the mercy of Lord Kṛṣṇa, reactions to
my past misdeeds and offenses are being reduced significantly while being
written off the records. Furthermore, I ought to take this as an opportunity to
increase my dependence on Him by increasing the sincerity of my sādhana with
all humility.

Why does a devotee suffer? *

The ultimate cause of suffering is the living entities' desire to turn away
from the Lord. This is analogous to the visibility of shadow when one turns
against the sun. Lord Kṛṣṇ a explains in  Bhagavad-gītā 18.66 that a completely
surrendered devotee is no longer liable to suffer the reactions of his
previous karma. As soon as one comes to Krsna consciousness, ignorance, the
root of all sufferings, is vanquished. However, a fan doesn't immediately stop
when switched off. “Because in his mind a devotee may still maintain the
remnants of his previous sinful mentality, the Lord removes the last vestiges of
the enjoying spirit by giving His devotee punishments that may sometimes
resemble sinful reactions” (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 10.14.8p).

The attitude of pure devotees

Pure devotees, being completely aware of the above understanding (*),
ungrudgingly accept tribulations from the Lord as benedictions. Why? Because
these situations help in remembering the Lord. The Lord sometimes places his
dear devotees under distress not only to increase the love in separation (like that
experienced by gopis) but also to teach the general populace lessons on applying
devotional principles in case of distress (evident by the life of Pandavas).
Sufferings experienced by pure devotees are, thus austerities performed for the
pleasure of the Lord. Lord Brahma affirms that such sincere devotees
“considering all hardship a small price to pay for gaining the personal
association of the Lord, certainly becomes a legitimate son of God” (Śrīmad-
Bhāgavatam 10.14.8p).

When I see pure devotees suffering, I should not assume it as their bad
karma. Instead, I must understand it to be a pastime of the Lord to teach us
through their example. At the same time, I should pray to them for mercifully
bestowing me this quality of exclusive dependence on Lord Kṛṣṇa under all
circumstances.

In short, the Supreme Lord is the ultimate cause of all sufferings, as not
even a blade of grass can move without His sanction. However, it is improper for
his dear devotees to say that the Lord is the cause of distress. Instead, the
devotees think that the Lord is mercifully arranging sufferings to eradicate
material attachment and reactions to past misdeeds and increase their
remembrance of Him.

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