The Endless Cycle of Material Life
Material life often traps us in a cycle of desires and sufferings, pulling us away from our true purpose. We are reminded by Prabhupada that if we remain attached to material pursuits, we risk losing the golden opportunity of human life, which is meant for spiritual realization. The story of Hasmukh Bhai vividly illustrates the pitfalls of material desires and the transformative power of devotion.
Hasmukh Bhai’s Material Entanglement
Hasmukh Bhai was a man whose life was marked by an insatiable quest for happiness through material means. He was obsessed with the idea of marriage and believed that by finding the right partner, he could achieve happiness. His first attempt was to marry an Indian wife, but that marriage quickly ended in disappointment. Disillusioned, he decided that perhaps an Indian wife was not the answer, so he married a white woman. However, this marriage too ended in failure within six months.
Undeterred, Hasmukh Bhai thought that perhaps a black wife would bring him the happiness he sought. But once again, the marriage did not last. Determined not to give up, he returned to India and married another Indian woman. Unfortunately, this marriage also ended in failure. By this time, all four of his ex-wives had taken him to court for maintenance, and Hasmukh Bhai found himself juggling four legal cases.
His once-thriving business suffered as a result, and he was consumed with legal battles, trying to keep up with the demands of his ex-wives. His salary of 80 pounds per week was divided into four parts, leaving him with nothing. The burden became so heavy that Hasmukh Bhai decided to quit his job altogether, opting to live on social security, a system in England that provides financial support to those who are unemployed.
Hasmukh Bhai thought he had found a solution. He figured that by claiming unemployment benefits, he could avoid paying his ex-wives and let the government take care of him and them. This way, he wouldn’t have to work, and he could still receive some money. So, he began receiving 30 pounds a week in unemployment benefits, which was still less than what he earned when working, but at least he didn’t have to work for it.
However, Hasmukh Bhai wasn’t satisfied with just 30 pounds a week. He learned that those who had medical conditions, like diabetes, were eligible for additional financial support. So, Hasmukh Bhai decided to fake having diabetes. He visited his doctor, claiming that he had developed the condition. The doctor, after checking him, found no evidence of diabetes, but Hasmukh Bhai insisted that he was sick. The doctor, tired of his persistence, eventually gave in and wrote a note confirming that Hasmukh Bhai had diabetes.
Armed with this note, Hasmukh Bhai went to the social security office and had his allowance increased to 100 pounds per week. He was thrilled, thinking he had outsmarted the system. Every week, he visited the doctor to get his prescription for diabetes medication, which he had to show to the social security office to continue receiving his allowance.
Over time, Hasmukh Bhai’s cupboard filled with diabetes medication that he had no intention of using. But one day, out of curiosity or perhaps boredom, he decided to try taking the tablets. Much to his dismay, he actually began to suffer from diabetes. He had tricked the system so well that he ended up being trapped by his own deceit. Now, he genuinely needed the medication he had been stockpiling.
When we visited London, Hasmukh Bhai was a changed man, crying and complaining about his situation. He lamented how he had brought this suffering upon himself. He told us that he had four wives, but none of them were with him. He was living alone, sick, and miserable. He pleaded with us to help him, saying, “Maharaj, please do something. I have just borrowed this diabetes, and now I am genuinely suffering.”
We gave Hasmukh Bhai a copy of the Srimad Bhagavatam and encouraged him to read it. Day and night, he immersed himself in the teachings of the Bhagavatam. Through its wisdom, he gradually found relief from his suffering, both physical and mental. Eventually, he managed to rid himself of the diabetes that had plagued him. However, he continued to live on social security because he could not face his ex-wives and the mess his life had become.
The Turning Point: Encounter with the Bhagavatam
Hasmukh Bhai’s life was a tangle of lies, illness, and material struggles. But the Bhagavatam offered him a way out. By delving into its teachings, he realized the futility of his previous ways and began to seek genuine spiritual progress. The Bhagavatam became his refuge, and through its timeless wisdom, he started to transform his life.
Lessons to Be Learned
- The Consequences of Deceit: Hasmukh Bhai’s story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of deceit. His lies and manipulations eventually caught up with him, leading to real suffering. This reminds us that dishonest shortcuts in life can backfire, bringing about more harm than good.
- The Power of Devotion: The transformative effect of the Srimad Bhagavatam on Hasmukh Bhai’s life demonstrates the power of sincere devotion. Even those who are deeply entangled in material life can find redemption and peace through spiritual practice and devotion.
- The Futility of Material Pursuits: Hasmukh Bhai’s repeated attempts to find happiness through material means—whether through marriages or financial schemes—only led him deeper into misery. True happiness lies not in accumulating material wealth or relationships, but in developing a spiritual connection with the Divine.
Prayer
O dear Krishna, just as You guided Hasmukh Bhai to the light of the Bhagavatam, please guide us through the confusions and entanglements of material life. Help us to realize the futility of material pursuits and inspire us to seek refuge in Your holy names and teachings.
Quote from Shastra
“yasyāham anugṛhṇāmi hariṣye tad-dhanaṁ śanaiḥ” — Srimad Bhagavatam 10.88.8
“When I especially favor someone, I gradually deprive him of his wealth, and when he suffers one distress after another, he becomes utterly destitute, and then he takes shelter of Me.”
This verse reminds us that sometimes Krishna takes away our material comforts to help us turn toward Him. Just as Hasmukh Bhai’s suffering led him to the Bhagavatam, our difficulties can lead us to seek refuge in the Lord.
Story narrated by MahaVishnu Goswami
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