Question: I have a question relating to Avanti Brahmana narration found in Canto 11 of the SB. His conclusion was that the false ego is the cause of his suffering – is it the same meaning that is conveyed in Bg.14.19?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
The story of Avanti Brahmana is narrated by Krishna to illustrate how one should soberly tolerate the disturbances and offenses caused by others, and remain fixed on the spiritual path. Note that the conclusion of Avanti brahmana was that the mind, not the false ego, is the cause of one’s happiness and distress.
Since the soul, which is spiritual, cannot actually be touched by happiness or distress, he concludes that neither other living entities, nor the effects of past actions nor any other factor could cause one to enjoy or suffer. Through the agency of false ego the soul misidentifies itself with matter but it is the mind alone, which is the reservoir of ideas and conceptions, that makes the soul wander in the material world making one perceive happiness and distress. Therefore the only way to rise above one’s suffering is to control the mind. Concluding in this way, he firmly resolves to fix his mind on the lotus feet of Krishna, and attains perfection.
Bg 14.19 does not directly address the experience of happiness and distress by the living entities and the means of counteracting them. Here Krishna describes how the living entity is not the doer or controller, rather his activities are simply based on the particular mode he is situated in. One who factually sees his true position and how he is entrapped, can learn to transcend the influence of the modes.
