Winning the Battle Within
Our surroundings—the environment and our mind—are under the influence of materialistic enjoyment. Our mind is like a person in a drunken state, always in a subconscious condition, acting unknowingly. That is what we call Māyā. We are all under the influence of this illusory world, like a mirage in a desert, where we keep running after an oasis.
As A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada says, “We need to conquer our mind first.” We are trying to conquer each other’s countries through war, but why can we not win the battle against our own mind, which ignites negative urges within us? A balanced mind will always think rationally and judge without bias. Irrespective of the situation—whether it is gold, silver, or a pebble—a person with a balanced mind sees all with equality.
In the Padma Purana, it is stated that human beings are governed by three qualities or modes: passion, goodness, and ignorance.
In the Padma Purana, it is explained that every human being is governed by three qualities (guṇas) of material nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance.
- Mode of Goodness (Sattva) – Characterized by purity, knowledge, and peace. It elevates one toward wisdom and clarity.
- Mode of Passion (Rajas) – Driven by desires and restless activity, leading to attachment and constant striving.
- Mode of Ignorance (Tamas) – Marked by darkness, laziness, and illusion, keeping one bound in confusion.
These three modes bind the soul to the material world and influence our thoughts and actions at every moment.
To understand this deeply, the Bhagavad Gita (14.5) states:
“O mighty-armed one, the three modes of material nature—goodness, passion, and ignorance—bind the eternal soul to the body.”
The ultimate goal is to control our mind and senses through yoga, meditation, and devotional activities such as worshipping Krishna, chanting His holy names, glorifying His pastimes, and making garlands for the Lord and Radha. In every breath, we should remember Krishna.
Purifying the senses is essential. Our senses are so strong that if we learn to control them, half the journey toward Godhead is already complete. This can be achieved through the practice of Bhakti Yoga, which helps us engage our senses in Krishna’s service. When our senses are engaged in divine service, the mind has very little scope to wander into useless distractions.
Krishna will help purify us. By listening to Him—through hearing and reading about Him—and by understanding the Lord through a true Ācārya, we gradually come closer to Him. We simply need sincerity in our desire to know God; then God Himself reveals His identity to us.
Śravaṇam (hearing) is one of the most powerful processes to reach Krishna. Among the nine processes of devotional service, it holds a special place. In today’s world, our mind is often closed and unable to perceive that God is reality. But when the mind becomes engaged in hearing about Him, we begin to perceive the transcendental nature of Vishnu.
“God is omnipresent, yet we cannot perceive Krishna due to our polluted minds. By becoming pious through śravaṇam (hearing) and kīrtanam (chanting), we gradually develop the purity needed to realize Him.”
“मां च योऽव्यभिचारेण भक्ति-योगेन सेवते
स गुणान्समतीत्यैतान् ब्रह्म-भूयाय कल्पते”
Māṁ ca yo ’vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate
sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
Meaning:
“One who engages in full devotional service to Me, without deviation, transcends these three modes of material nature and comes to the level of Brahman.”
This battle within us is for real, and we can win only with Krishna Kripa.
“ईश्वरः परमः कृष्णः सच्चिदानन्द-विग्रहः
अनादिरादिर्गोविन्दः सर्व-कारण-कारणम्”
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