Question: In Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura’s Bhajana-rahasya he mentions that weakness of the heart is of four types: attachment to objects not related to Krsna, deceitfulness or fault-finding, enviousness and desire for fame. My question is related to enviousness. Even on the pure spiritual platform there is competition between the devotees. Normally enviousness or envy are one of elements which stimulate competition among common people. How to distinguish what is enviousness-type motivation and what is positive competition motivation?
Answer by Rompada Swami: The metric to evaluate the two is WHO IS THE INTENDED OBJECT OF HAPPINESS?
The gopis have no envy, but they compete: “Who can please Krishna the most?”
They have no false ego to be satisfied by ‘victory’.
