Category:Niskama
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the word niskama does not mean the complete cessation of all desires, which is impossible for the living entity. Instead, it means freedom from material desires and the pursuit of self-interest. While karmis, jnanis, and yogis harbor subtle desires for material enjoyment, liberation, philanthropy, or adulation, the pure devotee (krsna-bhakta) is factually niskama. Because the devotee understands that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme enjoyer, proprietor, and dearest friend, they remain completely peaceful. They discharge their devotional duties without being disturbed by the dualities of the material world, acting purely out of love for the Supreme Lord without expecting anything in return.
- The True Meaning of Desirelessness: Niskama does not mean giving up all desires; it means giving up material hankering and the desire for self-interest. Even a pure devotee has desires, but those desires are spiritual benedictions to serve the Lord.
- The Fallacy of the Yogis and Jnanis: Mystic yogis desire adulation, and jnanis often fall back to material philanthropy because they lack true spiritual engagement. Therefore, they cannot be truly desireless.
- The Peaceful Devotee: A krsna-bhakta is completely satisfied in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and thus attains perfect peace. Only a pure devotee achieves the factual stage of desirelessness.
- Understanding Kṛṣṇa's Supremacy: Knowing that Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate beneficiary, proprietor, and friend naturally makes one desireless for material things, as one recognizes that everything belongs to Him.
- Unmotivated Devotion: Like a child who depends completely on its parents without demanding service, a niskama devotee serves the Lord without seeking material prosperity or personal gain.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Niṣkāma Means No Desire for Material Enjoyment.
Subcategories
This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 3 total.
Pages in category "Niskama"
The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total.
1
I
- If one acts in his profession according to his position in the modes of nature and gradually gives up these activities, he attains the niskama stage
- If one gradually gives up his hereditary customs and duties and tries to serve the SP of Godhead in his natural position, he is gradually able to become free from these activities, and he attains the stage of niskama, freedom from material desires
- In the Caitanya-caritamrta the pure devotee is called niskama, which means he has no desire for self-interest. Perfect peace belongs to him alone, not to them who strive for personal gain. BG 1972 purports
K
- Krsna is the only friend who can actually do good to all living entities (suhrdam sarva-bhutanam (BG 5.29)) - one who understands this principle about Krsna immediately becomes desireless (niskama) and therefore peaceful
- Krsna is the Supreme Being and thus the proprietor of all the material worlds, one who understands this principle about Krsna immediately becomes desireless (niskama) and therefore peaceful
O
- One has to discharge his devotional duties without being disturbed by the coming and going of material circumstances. This desirelessness for material prosperity is called niskama
- One should not mistakenly think that niṣkāma means giving up all desires. That is impossible
- One who simply understands that throughout the entire universe Krsna is the supreme enjoyer and beneficiary of all kinds of sacrifices, penances and austerities, immediately becomes desireless (niskama) and therefore peaceful
T
- The child does not know how to expect service from his parents, but he is always protected nevertheless. This is called niskama (desirelessness)
- They (jnanis) have to come down to the material platform to engage in philanthropic activity. Thus they again cultivate desires, and when these desires are exhausted, they desire something different. Therefore the jnani cannot be niskama, desireless