We often desire a life of freedom. When restrictions are placed, we may feel tormented. Even monks sometimes feel uneasy when their freedom is restricted.

One of the greatest distractions in modern times is social media. Many devotees resist parental control over the internet, thinking, “I don’t want restrictions to be imposed on me. Let me tolerate the temptations while being in a tempting environment.” However, we often fail to recognize the importance of a distraction-free environment.

No Distraction

Brahmā’s life teaches us a lot in this regard.

Brahmā was born from the navel of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu—without a mother. Seated atop a lotus flower, he was bewildered, unable to understand who he was, where he came from, or what he was supposed to do. He traveled down the stem of the lotus, only to see the vast waters of the Garbhodaka Ocean. Climbing back to his seat, he heard only two syllables: “Tapa, Tapa.”

With nothing else to do, Brahmā engaged in severe austerities to please the Supreme Lord. And what was the result? He obtained darśana of the Supreme Lord, who personally instructed him.

Just imagine—if Brahmā had been preoccupied with various distractions, he might never have performed tapasya! His distraction-free environment enabled him to fully absorb himself in devotion.

Distraction in Action

Despite his exalted position, Brahmā himself was not immune to distraction. When he later encountered distractions in life, he struggled to handle them. During the course of creation, Brahmā became attracted to his own daughter, Vāk, and began to chase after her. On another occasion, demons created by Brahmā became sexually agitated and ran after him.
Thus, distractions can come for a sādhaka in two ways:
– They may come running toward us.
– Or, we may chase after them.

Both must be avoided. A sādhaka must remain diligent and always on guard to notice distractions.

Distraction by Intelligence

Sometimes, one might think, “If I study a lot of scriptures and strengthen my intellect, I will become immune to distractions.” But intelligence alone cannot prevent distraction.

Brahmā’s very body is composed of intelligence, yet he was bewildered in the Brahma-vimohana-līlā. Mistaking Krishna for an ordinary boy, Brahmā tested Him by stealing the cowherd boys and calves. What was the result? Krishna expanded Himself into all the missing boys and calves, displaying His unlimited potency. Brahmā then realized his powerlessness before the Supreme Lord. He came to understand that he could never comprehend the Supreme Lord.

Distraction is a tool of the Supreme Lord’s powerful external energy—Māyā. Mere intelligence cannot overpower it. Māyādevī has far greater intelligence than we do!

“I Can Never Be Affected” – The Danger of Overconfidence

Another thing a sādhaka must understand is that one can never think oneself above māyā. At one point, Brahmā told Nārada that he was immune to temptation—that his mind and senses could never be disturbed:

na bhāratī me ‘ṅga mṛṣopalakṣyate
na vai kvacin me manaso mṛṣā gatiḥ
na me hṛṣīkāṇi patanty asat-pathe
yan me hṛdautkaṇṭhyavatā dhṛto hariḥ
“O Nārada, because I have caught hold of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hari, with great zeal, whatever I say has never proved false. Nor is the progress of my mind ever deterred. Nor are my senses ever degraded by temporary attachment to matter.” (ŚB 2.6.34)

Yet, in the same Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, when the Kumāras questioned Brahmā on how to destroy the relationship between the sense objects and the mind, he became baffled. It is stated therein: “Although one may be elevated to an exalted position in the Lord’s transcendental service, at any moment there is danger of false pride polluting one’s devotional mentality.” (ŚB 11.13.18 P)

Conclusion

What can we learn from these episodes in Brahmāji’s life?

1. A sādhaka must strive to work in distraction-free environments and create them when needed.

2. One must never become proud of one’s sense control.

Even the greatest personalities can struggle against the three modes of material nature. As Krishna states in the Bhagavad-gītā (18.40):
na tad asti pṛthivyāṁ vā
divi deveṣu vā punaḥ
sattvaṁ prakṛti-jair muktaṁ
yad ebhiḥ syāt tribhir guṇaiḥ
“There is no being existing, either here or among the demigods in the higher planetary systems, which is free from the three modes born of material nature.”

The only way to fully overcome distraction is through a single-pointed focus on both the goal of life and the process to attain it. The goal is Krishna prema, and the process is bhakti-yoga.

By sincerely striving for a focused and undistracted devotional life, Krishna will help us rise above distractions and award us His divine grace.