Radhanath Swami on Seeking Pleasure

Pleasure is the motivating force within everyone’s life. If we analyze scrutinizingly everything we do, the motivation is the pursuance of pleasure. The Bhagavad-Gita describes the three modes of material nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance. According to these modes, different classes of living beings seek pleasure in different ways. Those in the mode of ignorance seek pleasure through intoxication, sleep, and violent and cruel acts upon others. Those in the mode of passion seek pleasure through amassing great fortunes, getting prestige and indulging in sensual activities. And those in the mode of goodness take pleasure in doing good for others - the feeling that I am giving in charity, I have lent my helping hand for another’s benefit. But in all cases we are looking for the same elusive object - pleasure.