SB 04.22.34 - Questionnaire to test whether we are in mode of ignorance

[Bhagavat-Sangi-Sangasya]

SB 04.22.34 - Questionnaire to test whether we are in mode of ignorance

 

na kuryāt karhicit saṅgaṁ

tamas tīvraṁ titīriṣuḥ

dharmārtha-kāma-mokṣāṇāṁ

yad atyanta-vighātakam

 

TRANSLATION

Those who strongly desire to cross the ocean of nescience must not associate with the modes of ignorance, for hedonistic activities are the greatest obstructions to realization of religious principles, economic development, regulated sense gratification and, at last, liberation.

 

So, if we are really serious about our actual long term benefit by becoming a good devotee of Krishna, then we have to somehow come out from our engagements with mode of ignorance. Now the question comes, what are the symptoms of a person who is in mode of ignorance? As explained in 14^th, 17^th and 18^th chapter of Bhagavad Gita below are 8 symptoms of a person living in mode of ignorance. So, let us test ourselves-

1.      Laziness (Eg. don’t want to take bath)

2.    Too much sleeping

3.    Worshipping ghosts & spirits

4.    Eating stale food(3 hrs after the preparation)

5.     Doing self torture as an austerity (Eg. doing fast for a political issue)

6.    Working against the directions of scriptures

7.     Cheating & Insulting others

8.    Day dreaming & planning, but not working to execute them

If we are showing even a single symptom from the above list, then we should be alarmed & try to get rid from that particular symptom by chanting Hare Krishna Mahamantra attentively & associating with serious devotees frequently.