The Threefold Causes of Suffering and Their Remedy
All suffering in human life arises from three fundamental causes:
- Ignorance (Ajñāna)
- Weakness (Aśakti)
- Scarcity (Abhāva)
The extent to which a person can overcome these three causes determines their level of happiness and fulfillment.
1. Ignorance (Ajñāna) as a Cause of Suffering
Ignorance distorts a person’s perspective and judgment, preventing them from recognizing the fundamental principles of existence. As a result, they develop faulty thinking patterns and engage in actions that lead to confusion and suffering.
- Selfishness, indulgence in pleasure, greed, arrogance, narrow-mindedness, and anger drive a person away from righteous actions and wisdom.
- Instead of long-term vision, they focus on short-term, trivial, and insignificant matters, leading to wrong decisions and negative consequences.
- Ignorance prevents individuals from understanding the true causes of events in life, leading to false hopes, unrealistic desires, and unnecessary suffering.
For instance:
- A person who lacks knowledge of the impermanence of life mourns excessively over natural occurrences such as death, differences in opinions, or changing circumstances.
- Unrealistic expectations cause distress when they are not met.
- Due to ignorance, people fail to recognize nearby opportunities and resources, leading to missed advantages and unnecessary hardship.
Thus, ignorance is the root cause of many forms of suffering.
2. Weakness (Aśakti) as a Cause of Suffering
Weakness refers to various forms of incapacity, including physical, mental, social, intellectual, and spiritual weakness. Due to these limitations, individuals are unable to claim their rightful position in life, leading to helplessness and deprivation.
- Physical weakness leads to illness, making life’s pleasures—delicious food, beautiful sights, melodious music—meaningless.
- Intellectual weakness prevents individuals from appreciating literature, philosophy, and deep contemplation.
- Spiritual weakness deprives one of inner peace, divine love, and transcendental joy.
Additionally, nature operates on the principle of survival of the fittest, favoring the strong while eliminating the weak.
- Natural elements that benefit the strong can be detrimental to the weak.
- For example, cold weather enhances the strength of the robust but causes pneumonia and arthritis in the weak.
- Even well-intentioned individuals unknowingly oppress the weak.
- A weak goat is hunted by wild animals and even sacrificed in religious rituals.
- In contrast, a lion is revered, symbolizing power in royal emblems.
Thus, those who lack strength remain vulnerable to suffering, even when surrounded by positive conditions.
3. Scarcity (Abhāva) as a Cause of Suffering
The absence of essential resources is another major cause of suffering.
- Lack of food, clothing, shelter, land, financial resources, education, tools, and medical aid results in various difficulties.
- Even capable and talented individuals suffer due to a lack of necessary means to fulfill their potential.
- Unfulfilled basic needs lead to frustration, making life feel like an endless struggle.
Thus, a person who faces scarcity experiences suffering even if they have knowledge and strength.
Gāyatrī as the Solution to All Three Causes of Suffering
Gāyatrī is the divine wish-fulfilling source (Kāmadhenu) that removes ignorance, weakness, and scarcity.
- By worshiping, meditating, and invoking the power of Gāyatrī, one constantly receives divine nourishment, akin to drinking the nectar of immortality.
- Gāyatrī eliminates the suffering caused by ignorance, weakness, and scarcity, enabling the practitioner to achieve their desired goals with ease.
Thus, Gāyatrī Sādhanā is the key to overcoming all obstacles in life.
The Unity of Gāyatrī and Brahman
Gāyatrī is not a separate deity or supernatural being; it is the active energy of Parabrahman (Supreme Reality).
- Brahman is formless, beyond intellect, and the eternal witness of all existence.
- However, when Brahman manifests as creative consciousness, it takes the form of Gāyatrī, which is both accessible and worshipable.
This means:
- Devotion to God (Īśvara-bhakti), spiritual discipline (Brahma-sādhanā), self-realization (Ātma-sākṣātkāra), and divine union (Brahma-darśana) are all achieved through the practice of Gāyatrī.
Gāyatrī as the Most Direct Path to Divine Realization
Gāyatrī worship is the simplest, most effective, and fastest way to reach God.
- Practicing Gāyatrī is like traveling through a beautiful garden to reach the ultimate destination—union with the Divine.
- There is no difference between Brahman and Gāyatrī, except in terminology.
Scriptural Evidence for the Oneness of Gāyatrī and Brahman
The Bhagavad Gītā (10.35) states:
“Chandasām aham Gāyatrī” – Among all poetic meters, I am Gāyatrī.
This confirms that Gāyatrī is the supreme vibrational essence of divine consciousness.
Through Gāyatrī Sādhanā, the path to Brahman becomes clear, and the soul attains its ultimate fulfillment.