Tapatraya

 A

In Vedanta (and broader Hindu philosophy), the concept of “threefold suffering” — known in Sanskrit as “tāpatraya” (तापत्रय) — refers to the three kinds of miseries or afflictions that all living beings experience in the material world.

These three are:

🕉️ 

1. Ādhyātmika (आध्यात्मिक) — Internal Suffering

Source: From within oneself — body and mind.

• Physical: disease, pain, aging, hunger, fatigue, etc.
• Mental: stress, anger, fear, grief, anxiety, depression, etc.

➡️ These arise due to imbalance within one’s own body or mind.

🌊 

2. Ādhibhautika (आधिभौतिक) — External Suffering from Other Beings

Source: Other living beings (bhūta = creature or element of nature).

• Harm caused by humans, animals, insects, or natural enemies.
• Examples: theft, attack, bite, quarrel, betrayal, etc.

➡️ These arise from interactions or conflicts with other beings.

⚡ 

3. Ādhidaivika (आधिदैविक) — Suffering from Higher or Cosmic Forces

Source: Forces beyond human control — “daiva” means “divine” or “fate”.

• Natural calamities (storms, floods, droughts, earthquakes).
• Astral or cosmic influences (planets, fate, unseen forces).
• Sudden misfortunes or karmic repercussions.

➡️ These arise from causes that are not directly perceptible or controllable.

🌺 

Purpose in Vedanta

Vedanta teaches that these threefold sufferings are inherent to saṁsāra (the material world of change and duality). Recognizing this suffering is the starting point for spiritual inquiry — to seek mokṣa (liberation), the state beyond all suffering.

“Tāpatraya-nivṛtti” — freedom from the threefold miseries —

is the ultimate goal of Vedantic realization, attained through

self-knowledge (ātma-jñāna) and realization of Brahman,

the changeless reality beyond all suffering.

A

NKB 

A Grudge Against Baba

An aimless, unemployed youth came to meet Baba one day. Baba took pity on him and got

him a good job through people present at the time. He also spoke to members of the boy's

family and arranged for his marriage into a good family. Baba gave him the opportunity to

lead a happy and comfortable life. After getting the job, the youth increased his expenses to

such an extent that he became distressed. His family became a burden to him, and he lost the

ability to think rationally. He blamed Baba for his marriage and held a grudge against him.

One day on the pretext of having darshan, he went into Baba's room at the house of Mehrotra

ji in Lucknow. As soon as Baba saw him, he put his blanket aside and baring his chest said,

"Kill me if you want to." The youth was stunned to see the expression on Baba's face and at

the exposure of his own thoughts. Holding him by the hand, a devotee immediately took him

outside and asked him what the matter was. The man confessed that Baba had revealed his

true motive. He felt utterly humiliated and left with his head bowed.

A

NKB 

Exam Results

My cousin had seen Baba many times and had heard talk of his lila every day at home. He

was worried after taking his high school exam and thought that he should visit Baba to know

of his results before they were released. He went to Kainchi ashram and told Baba about his

concern. Like a child, Baba at once said, "You will fail." The way he spoke was convincing

enough, but the boy could not persuade himself to accept the truth of the words. Realizing that

it was an utterance of a saint, he was even more worried. He thought about it for days, and

finally, presuming that Baba would have forgotten what he said, the boy went back to Kainchi

to ask him the same question again. This time Baba said straightaway, "You will pass." The

reply pleased the boy, but the thought that Baba had initially said "fail" and then "pass" put

him in a quandary. After a gap of several days he went to Kainchi again and asked the same

question for the third time. This time Baba said "fail." Hearing the word "fail" twice from

Baba, the boy became sad. Baba said to his devotees, "Even the wisest have not been able to

fathom me, how can this boy do so?" The boy failed. His name was published for a

supplementary exam, and he got through.

-Rajida

A