Nature of sufferings and sin load reduction

RS swamy, namaskaram.

to burn away sins by undergoing suffering as reactions to past sins is the only way available for animals (and those humans who live life merely to fulfil animalistic needs and propensities)

For those born as humans, the prescribed way and best way to burn away sins is through devotional service. By hearing about Perumal, by doing sankirtan and japam of His names, by worshipping Him (and so on … all the 9 ways of expression bhakthi) we burn our sins. Devotional activities directly burn sins. Engaging in devotional activities gives us gnanam – [gnanam of who we are, who God is, what is the relationship between Him and us, what is the nature of spiritual world and nature of material world, how to live so and to quit material world for good and go to spiritual world] and this gnanam burns away all sins like fire burns away wood to ashes.

Fasting or delayed eating etc (except on days of prescribed fasting) is unecessary torturing of the body, and Krishna says such activities are demoniac (chapter 17).

Rishis and munis retired to forest seeking solitude and to disentangle themselves from material engagements, so that their meditation upon Perumal can be more focussed. They did not do so simply to undergo suffering. If they wanted suffering then why would they leave city life? Why would they leave married life (in case of sanyasis)?

Kunti devi prayed for opportunities for remembering Krishna deeply. Our focus should be on this, so that we too can learn to pray for rememebrance of Him. Instead, if we misplace our emphasis and seek distress in life, that will be foolish; we have to first of all evaluate whether we have the level of devotion like Kunti devi. If not, even a slight sense of hunger or headache will make us forget Krishna and turn on the TV for ‘relaxation’!

adiyen dasan.

கம்பன்தாசன் Swamy,
Namaskaram and Thanks for sharing your thoughts, providing the right perspective for the questions and observations.
Dhanyosmi.
Adiyen Ramanujadaasan.

கம்பன்தாசன் Swamy,
Thanks for the replies.
Adiyen Ramanujadaasan.