Three Modes of Material Nature - an essential subject

The three modes of material nature are a very unique and illuminating concept of Vedic philosophy which describe and explain the functioning of material nature based on three influences or forces - goodness, passion and ignorance. They permeate everywhere and affect all aspects of this material world.

The three modes of material nature bind us to stay in the material world and therefore get stuck in the cycle of birth and death forever. If we can avoid the lower modes by understanding how they work and influence us then we can successfully cultivate the mode of goodness which will make us eligible to succeed on our path of self realization. All of these three modes of nature contaminate us - to bigger or lesser degrees - so ultimately, one has to transcend all the material modes and achieve a pure state, in pure goodness.

Srila Prabhupada's books, lectures, conversations and letters offer a comprehensive presentation of this essential subject as seen in the Vaniquotes Three Modes of Material Nature category. An introduction from his books is given below in the following 13 quotes.

Quotes from Srila Prabhupada's books


vanipedia.org 		The contamination in the heart of a conditioned soul is like a huge accumulation of garbage created by the three modes of material nature, especially the modes of rajas (passion) and tamas (ignorance). This contamination becomes manifest in the form of lusty desires and greed for material possessions. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.25.8)



vanipedia.org 		In the material world, the three modes are goodness, passion and ignorance, and all of these are simply different gradations of contamination. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 15.277)



vanipedia.org 		The spirit soul bewildered by the influence of false ego thinks himself the doer of activities that are in actuality carried out by the three modes of material nature. (Bhagavad-gītā 3.27)



vanipedia.org 		In this material world, the three modes of material nature—goodness, passion and ignorance—prevail. Among these three, goodness is the platform of knowledge, and passion brings about a mixture of knowledge and ignorance, but the mode of ignorance is full of darkness. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 8.5.29)



vanipedia.org 		As there are different types of human beings, according to the association of the three qualities of material nature, there are similarly different types of birds, bees, trees, etc. Everything is divided according to the three qualities of material nature. Birds like swans and cranes, who enjoy clear waters and lotus flowers, are different from crows, who enjoy filthy places. Similarly, there are persons who are controlled by the modes of ignorance and passion and those who are controlled by the mode of goodness. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.24.21)



vanipedia.org 		Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows the nature he has acquired from the three modes. What can repression accomplish? (Bhagavad-gītā 3.33)



vanipedia.org 		As long as the living entity is conditioned by the three modes of material nature (goodness, passion and ignorance), the objects of his material senses—material form, taste, smell, sound and touch—will not help him understand spiritual knowledge and bliss. (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 17.134)



vanipedia.org 		A living entity is eternally a servant and unless one serves Kṛṣṇa one has to serve illusion in different varieties of the three modes of material nature and thus wander perpetually within the cycle of birth and death. (Bhagavad-gītā, Preface)



vanipedia.org 		In the external energy, the interaction of the three qualities makes it possible for things to be created, maintained and annihilated. But in the spiritual world, or the kingdom of God, there is no such exhibition, since everything is eternal, sentient and blissful. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.7.39)



vanipedia.org 		The actions and reactions of the three modes of material nature are visible in this life. For example, some people are very happy, some are very distressed, and some are in mixed happiness and distress. This is the result of past association with the modes of material nature—goodness, passion and ignorance. Since these varieties are visible in this life, we may assume that the living entities, according to their association with the different modes of material nature, will be happy, distressed or between the two in their next lives also. Therefore the best policy is to disassociate oneself from the three modes of material nature and be always transcendental to their contamination. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.46)



vanipedia.org 		Our past and future are not very difficult to understand, for time is under the contamination of the three modes of material nature. As soon as spring arrives, the usual exhibition of various types of fruits and flowers automatically becomes manifest, and therefore we may conclude that spring in the past was adorned with similar fruits and flowers and will be so adorned in the future also. Our repetition of birth and death is taking place within time, and according to the influence of the modes of nature, we are receiving various types of bodies and being subjected to various conditions. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.47)



vanipedia.org 		By attaining the highest platform of devotional service, as I have explained, one can overcome the influence of the three modes of material nature and be situated in the transcendental stage, as is the Lord. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.29.14)



vanipedia.org 		The transcendental Lord, in any conception of His form, is never a part of the material creation. He keeps His identity as Supreme Spirit in all circumstances and is never affected by the three material qualities, for everything material is contaminated. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.27)


Three Modes of Material Nature - explore more within this category.

Vanipedia has now over 903 introductory articles compiled from Srila Prabhupada's books under the series titled Essential Subjects. All these articles can be seen in the Table of Content on the right side of this article and also here in this Umbrella Category. Browse through them to relish the breadth and depth of Srila Prabhupada's teachings - There is a subject for everyone.


   
 

HOME

Choose Another
Essential Subject

   


Retrieved from "https://vanipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Three_Modes_of_Material_Nature_-_an_essential_subject&oldid=531773"