Reasons for even experienced devotees getting affected by anger!
“……………….Das” asked like this:
“Hare Krishna. Please excuse but I have seen that some devotees are more short tempered by nature and some not. Especially when they are much older and suffer more bodily pains etc they are more disturbed by others. Does this mean they are lacking in KC in some way?”
REPLY:
The reason for this is that they have not come out of the control of thamo and rajo gunas (modes).
(Is showing anger on Krishna right? READ HERE!)
We are following the worship of the beautiful form of Krishna.
In general, a devotee is expected to act in satva guna (mode of goodness). When he advances, even this satva guna will be a hindrance for devotion.
How?
Even a satva guna devotee may get a kind of pride that he is appreciated as a good devotee with good qualities. Though this may be in a subtle condition, such thoughts may exist in a satva guna devotee.
Even these kinds of thoughts about himself is not recommended for a devotee because when he does not receive sufficient honour from anyone, he may get angry.
That is why, even satva guna too is a barrier for devotion.
A devotee should cross even that satva guna and go to Suddha satva guna state, he will surrender everything to Krishna and hence he will not get any credit for his actions. Therefore, he will have no expectations for himself and hence the disturbances will be less or nil. He will see Krishna everywhere and everyone.
Therefore, until a devotee reaches this suddha satva guna state, he can’t desert anger, jealousy, desires, etc. Such devotees are rare and all others are dominated with gunas. Therefore, they may show emotions at times.
Since it is rare to find such suddha satva guna state devotees in our temples, we are in a position to mingle with the devotees who are still affected with the modes like us.
(How to avoid Tension, Anger, Abusive Thoughts and Yawning while chanting? READ HERE!)
Unless we surrender ourselves to Krishna and remain as just a tool in His hands, we can’t desert the anger, jealousy, etc.
In case the devotees expose satva guna excessively, it will not harm others, but, it will make them happy.
However, many devotees are affected by the effects of rajo and thamo gunas, but, some of them do not disclose it openly. Because, they are silently fighting with those gunas. Some even fall down finally because of the wrong decisions induced by these gunas.
Since all the devotees have the presence of these gunas, we can’t easily find a devotee who is free from anger, jealousy, etc. If they successfully get rid of these gunas, they will be in Suddha satva guna state and they will have Krishna in their heart itself and everywhere and everyone. They will not bother even if anyone seriously insults them or attacks them. Because, they will consider even those insults and attacks as the arrangements by Krishna for some reasons.
(10 POWERFUL TIPS TO CONTROL ANGER THAT AFFECTS EVEN THE DEVOTEES! READ HERE!)
SUDDHA NAMA JAPA & PRASADAM TO REGULATE GUNAS:
The only process that can check these 3 gunas is Chanting throughout the day and accepting only the Krishna prasadam.. Chanting means SUDDHA NAMA JAPA. This stage is the ultimate stage in chanting. If we follow suddha nama japa, we will naturally and gradually come out of these three gunas.
Initially, the devotees are permitted to even chant with offences. They will chant and at the same time, make some offenses like others. It is called NAMA APARATH STAGE. It is allowed initially.
Next, by sustained and sincere chanting continuosly, they will come to the NAMA BHASHA Stage. In this stage, they know that they are offending and will think of avoiding the offences. This is an intermediate stage.
Next and final stage is SUDHA NAMA JAPA. In this stage, they would have succeeded in avoiding offences while chanting. They will also develop an inclination to desert material attachments since they would have started to love Krishna seriously because of suddha nama japa.
If they come to the stage of this Sudha Nama Japa, they will be fully protected by Krishna from all the offenses. And, they will gradually become full satva guna without the trace of rajo and thamo gunas.
(I have selfishness, ego and find fault on others. How to correct this nature? Read this in our another site HERE.)
It is necessary to observe fast on ekadasis that gives some sense control. However, on all the other days also, the devotees must avoid the foods that increase rajo and tamo gunas like Garlic, onion, coffee, tea, chocolates, bakery sweets, old food, etc. They should take only Fresh Krishna Prasadam.
These steps will bring them free from the disturbances of Rajo and Tamo gunas. In all these efforts, they must show their full involvement, without casual approach.
Before finishing, let me give you what Bhagavatham says about getting relieved from these gunas:
SRIMAD BHAGAVATHAM (1-2-19) says:
“As soon as irrevocable loving service is established in the heart, the effects of nature’s modes of passion and ignorance, such as lust, desire and hankering, disappear from the heart. Then the devotee is established in goodness, and he becomes completely happy.”
How many devotees can remain with such strong position in the temples? We can see only a few.
(HOW TO AVOID ANGER, UPSET AND FRUSTRATION IN LIFE? Read this in our another site HERE.)
Therefore, we have to learn to neglect their anger, jealousy, etc.
As a lesson, we should stop seeing all the devotees like seeing Paramahamsas. They are also normal people trying to follow the devotion. There is no end for this process because there is no limit for the learning about Krishna.
Wherever you go in this planet, you will find some devotees with anger, jealousy, etc. I too have been affected in the past by the effect of ego shown by a few in the temples. However, since our target is serving Krishna and His devotees, I neglect such disturbances and continue my services. If I care a few such persons, I can’t serve the majority of the innocent devotees.
Because we are surrounded by the sathakas, ie practicing devotees like us who are fighting with maya, not paramahamsas.
Hope you have got the Reasons for even experienced devotees getting affected by anger.
All the best.
(Should we fight with others or be silent, if they try to spoil our life? READ HERE!)