Who is your real enemy? How to fight it? Can we eliminate it? Which one is almost invincible? Let's understand the Secret of Life manual.
Everyone in this world feels the heat from the enemy. May it be an outer enemy in the form of cheaters, manipulators, unwanted people, or harassers. But seldom do we think that these enemies represent the iota or iceberg of the big problem. The real enemy lies within ourselves only. It keeps on troubling us life after life.
According to the life manual given by Lord Shri Krishna(supreme creator and cause of all causes) in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita, we can read concise and precise answers to the fundamental questions of life. Who am I? Why am I suffering in this world? What is the goal of life? Who is god? How can god save us from the troubles? It also answers one of the biggest questions thought by almost all people in this world, who is the real enemy?
Bhagavad Gita says that an uncontrolled mind is our biggest enemy. It employs 6 agents to give different kinds of troubles in our lives. These employees are quite faithful compared to the employees working for some company in this world. Let's try to know and understand them. We will also try to find solutions to deal with each one of them.
- Lust (Kama): Lust refers to excessive desire or craving, especially for sensual pleasure. Everyone has to deal with it. It fuels more if we do not follow the rules and regulations prescribed by Vedic scriptures. It is never satiable. Lord Krishna mentions its nature in the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita. It is like blazing fire and can even destroy the whole village community or country. To deal with lust, one is advised to practice self-control, channeling desires in a constructive way, and focusing on spiritual growth rather than material indulgence. Identify it, understand it, and make a habit to control it. If controlled, it can become our friend. An example is to employ this enemy for procreation through an institution of marriage based on dharmic principles.
- Anger (Krodha): Anger arises from frustration, injustice, or a clash of expectations. If the lust is unfulfilled or not controlled, it can create another enemy anger which can further destroy our mindset and bring more troubles. To manage anger, one should cultivate patience, forgiveness, and understanding. Practicing deep breathing, meditation, and introspection can help control this emotion. People who get angry easily can practice silence and utilize anger just to execute their duties. An example is parents getting angry with their child for his/her better future and learnings. A soldier can use anger to destroy the enemy of the opposite party and save his country from danger.
- Greed (Lobha): Greed is the insatiable desire for material wealth or possessions. If we try to satisfy the lust, it creates another enemy with a stronger force, greed. Under the spell of greed, people keep on asking more and more. But, there is no end to greed. Sanatan dharma teachings advocate simplicity and contentment with what one has, practicing charity (dana), and prioritizing spiritual wealth over material accumulation. Be content with whatever you get from your honest efforts and work.
- Pride (Mada): Pride or arrogance stems from a false ego and an inflated sense of self-importance. It generally arises when we get a power or superior position compared to others. It is like a virus in the software that compels people to commit unwanted and undesired deeds. Humility is the antidote to pride; recognizing one's strengths and limitations without feeling superior or inferior to others is essential. The best way is serving others selflessly which can help in reducing pride.
- Illusion (Moha or Maya): Illusion refers to delusion or misunderstanding reality. When anger creates wrath, it also leads us to an illusion wherein we are not able to think. We generally lose the ability to differentiate between right and wrong. It is a deadly situation. To overcome illusion, one should seek spiritual knowledge and understanding of the true nature of existence (Satya), distinguishing between the permanent and impermanent aspects of life. The best way to deal with it is to target the root cause, lust and control all enemies by practicing spirituality.
- Envy (Matsarya): Envy arises from discontentment with others' success or possessions. It is an enemy that can make the best situations worse. It is very difficult to mold it by engaging it in spiritual practice. Hence we must fight it. To combat envy, one should practice gratitude for one's blessings, develop empathy and goodwill towards others, and focus on self-improvement rather than comparing oneself with others.
These enemies are seen as obstacles on the spiritual path and overcoming them requires sincere effort, self-awareness, and a commitment to spiritual practices such as meditation, prayer, and studying scriptures like the Bhagavad Gita and Ramayan for guidance. Spiritual practice is a gradual process and hence we may not see the results suddenly but it requires years and years of practice with strong will. The moment we become free from the clutches of these 6 enemies we achieve the best destination of life.
Hope you liked this article.
Stay tuned for more such articles. We will try to understand more such aspects of life.
Subscribe to YouTube channel:
