The Envy Enemy

by an unknown inmate

It is important to understand envy because it is one of the six basic enemies of the mind. The most commonly used Sanskrit word for envy is matsara. In the second verse of the Srimad Bhagavatam, it is stated that Srimad Bhagavatam is meant for those who are nir-matsara, without envy. Lord Krishna told Arjuna that he would impart to him the knowledge of devotional service because Arjuna was anasuyave, without envy of Him. (Bhagavad-gita 9.1) Because an envious person cannot understand devotional service, it is important to understand the root causes of envy so we can pull out the root.

Envy is to covet another person’s possessions, such as physical property, position, or prestige. Envy has two parts: desire and hate. “All living entities are born into delusion, bewildered by dualities arisen from desire and hate.” (BG 7.28)

Krsna killing the Kaliya serpant who represents envy

Envy means to desire what someone possesses or to hate someone for what they possess. Envy is a manifestation of the false ego. False ego means we want to be something that we are not. Our real identity is servant of Lord Krishna. Our false ego tells us that we are something other than servants of Lord Krishna. The false ego dictates to the mind of the materially-illusioned soul that to be the supreme enjoyer it needs to acquire many things. That dictation is the impetus for desire and hate, which may also be explained as karma (selfish acquisition) and envy. The false ego of the conditioned soul motivates it to engage in the work of selfish acquisition (karma), and the false ego dictates feelings of envy towards those persons who appear to be more successful in attaining the objects of selfish acquisition.

Generally, when the scriptures speak of envy, they speak of material envy, but there is also transcendental envy (appreciation). Transcendental envy causes a devotee to be inspired to increase his own devotional service. The devotee sees that another devotee has obtained much mercy from the Lord because of his nice service, so the observing devotee thinks “I too shall obtain the mercy of the Lord by increasing my service to Him.” Material envy is an impetus to increase material or selfish acquisition, whereas spiritual envy is an impetus to increase selfless or pure devotional service.

Returning to Bhagavad-gita 7.28, we can see that desire and hate are call dualities. Duality is just the opposite of Absolute. Duality means that the soul does not see that everything is part of the Absolute Truth. If the conditioned soul sees everything as belonging to Lord Krishna, then it could not feel that it possessed anything necessary for being the supreme enjoyer. However, as our beloved Srila Prabhupada explained, Krishna’s form and property are Absolute, they are non-different from one another. We take off our shoes inside the temple because we are walking on Krishna’s body. When the devotee makes further advancement, the devotee sees that because everything is Krishna’s property, not just the temple, then everything is non-different from Krishna. As Srila Ramanuja Acarya explained, absolute consciousness expresses Himself through His energies. When we touch the sunlight we are also touching the sun.

As you may know, I am in prison, and prison means there are many uncomfortable material conditions. For a long time I have been trying to understand how I could see the Lord in these uncomfortable material conditions. I prayed to Srila Prabhupada and to Sri Sri Gaura-Nitai to let me understand that. Then a devotee just happened to send me a photocopy of Chapter 8 of The Teachings of Queen Kunti. I had previously read it, but this time I saw that it explained the key to seeing Krishna in dangerous or painful material circumstances. Please read Chapter 8 of The Teachings of Queen Kunti. In it, Srila Prabhupada explains SB 1.8.25, using SB 10.14.8:

tat te ’nukapam susamiksamano
bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam
hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak

Srila Prabhupada has given various translations for SB 10.14.8 which are slightly different from one another. However, the gist of all the translations is found in the words vipadam and anukampam. The word vipadam is also found in that verse from The Teachings of Queen Kunti, SB 1.8.25. Vipada means a dangerous condition or painful situation. How can we see Krishna in vipadam? We should see vipadam as anukampam, full of mercy and compassion.

Due to my past sins I should suffer great vipadam, painful situations, but due to the mercy of the Lord, I am only getting a fraction of the vipadam that I should get as the reaction to my sinful misdeeds. By thinking of the Lord and the Lord’s mercy whenever we are in a distressful condition, we are purified and make advancement in devotional service. Remembering Krishna is the essence of devotional service. Other purports explaining SB 10.14.8 are found in BG 12.13-14 and SB 4.26.21, 8.3.32, 8.4.11- 13, and 8.22.4. Also recommended are SB 1.13.43, 8.16.21, and 8.22.8. The word anukampam is also found in BG 10.11 (evaanukampa-artham), and SB 3.28.29 and 8.16.21.

Srila Prabhupada explains that gold cannot be purified by washing, but only by putting it in fire. Similarly, the mind cannot be purified by any material arrangement (karma), material knowledge (jnana), or mystic power (yoga), but only by devotional service, which is based on thinking of Krishna. Austerities (tapasya) must be performed to purify the mind of envy and the five other enemies of the mind. (SB 5.5.1)

Srila Prabhupada defines tapasya in his purport to SB 9.4.26 as Deity worship and preaching (book distribution). Deity worship is the means for new devotees to purify their minds by fixing them on the form of the Lord. New devotees should therefore perform some kind of personal service for the Deities. Cleaning part of the temple, bringing a special flower or fruit once or twice a week for the pujari to offer to the Deities, helping make garlands for the Deities, and helping sew clothing for the Deities are all examples of nice service that new devotees can perform.