Category:Base Qualities
Theme Analysis
The struggle for spiritual progress is fundamentally a struggle against the lower modes of material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the "base qualities" consist of the modes of passion (rajo-guṇa) and ignorance (tamo-guṇa). These two qualities act as a thick covering over the living entity's original consciousness, making it impossible to take interest in Kṛṣṇa consciousness or understand the nature of God. While the mode of goodness is considered a first-class quality, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that almost no one is born directly into that mode in this age; everyone begins under the influence of the base qualities.
The primary symptoms of these base qualities are lusty desires (kāma) and greed (lobha). Śrīla Prabhupāda provides a vivid example of an elderly man in Paris visiting night clubs to show that these lusty desires remain in the mind even when the body is failing. These qualities are further reinforced by the "four pillars of sinful life": illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication, and gambling. As long as the mind is contaminated by these base habits, even those who practice pious atonement or speculative yoga are likely to fall back into fruitive activities, being unable to control the mind's lower impulses.
The process of purification involves rising from the base qualities to the platform of goodness, and then to pure goodness (śuddha-sattva). Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only effective method to finish these base qualities is the constant hearing and chanting of the glories of the Lord (śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam). By rigidly following the path of devotional service, the influence of passion and ignorance diminishes, and the symptoms of lust and greed are replaced by happiness and self-realization. If one becomes slack in their spiritual practice, the base qualities immediately attack again, highlighting the necessity of constant vigilance and association with the mode of goodness.
- Defining the Base Qualities: Passion and ignorance are the base qualities of nature that cover the soul, manifesting as lusty desires and greediness.
- The Impenetrable Covering: Those situated in the base qualities cannot conceive of or understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even if they are learned philosophers.
- The Danger of Contamination: Associating with these lower modes leads to lower births, much like a body manifesting symptoms after contracting a disease.
- The Path to Purification: Through the process of hearing and chanting about Kṛṣṇa, the base qualities are almost finished, allowing the soul to rise to the platform of pure goodness.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Base Qualities - Overcoming Passion and Ignorance.
Pages in category "Base Qualities"
The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total.
A
- Always we should hear about Krsna, speak about Krsna. Then this base quality, ignorance and passion, will go. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh
- At the present moment, everyone is covered by the rajas-tamah, the base qualities, ignorance and passion, so they have no interest in Krsna consciousness. That is not possible. One has to purify himself
B
- Base quality means kama, lusty desires, and greediness. In material world, generally they are under these base quality, means always filled up with lusty desires & not satisfied, greedy. So when we conquer over these base qualities, then we become happy
- Budha means one who is aware of everything, jnani. Budha bhava-samanvitah (BG 10.8). Such budha, intelligent person, will not accept these base qualities - of SB 5.6.5
E
- Even after following such methods (pious atonement, speculative knowledge & meditation in mystic yoga) one takes to fruitive activities again, unable to control his mind, which is contaminated by the base qualities of nature, namely passion and ignorance
- Even there is goodness (in Brahma), it is not pure. There is always chance of becoming polluted by the other base qualities - ignorance and passion
F
- Factually speaking, even those who are situated in the material mode of goodness cannot understand the position of the SP of Godhead. What then is to be said of those who are situated in rajo-guna and tamo-guna, the base qualities of material nature
- For the living entities controlled by the base qualities of nature, passion and ignorance, there is no possibility of understanding God
T
- Tada rajas-tamo-bhavah (SB 1.2.19). When one is situated as a devotee, then this base quality, rajas-tamah, ignorance and passion, the symptoms: kama-lobhadayas. Kama, lusty desires, and greediness
- The base quality, the platform of base quality, is this: illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication, gambling. So tada rajas-tamo-bhavah kama-lobhadayas ca ye - SB 1.2.19
- The first business is how to control the mind so that it may not be influenced by the base quality, lusty desires and greediness. We have seen in Paris old man, seventy-five years old, he is going to the night club, because the lusty desire is there
- Those who are associating with the base qualities of material nature, they get lower life. That is natural. Just like you contaminate a kind of disease, it will become manifest in due course of time