At every moment in our life we end up making choices. Moment to moment we have to chose actions which can give pleasure in the short run and actions which be really beneficial and good in the longer run. Actions which can give pleasure in the short run but eventually end up in the long term pain are called “preyas”. On the other hand actions involving challenges in the short run but really good and beneficial in the long run are “Shreyas”. Kathopanishad speaks of these two types of actions – Shreyas and Preyas. A wise man uses discrimination and choses the path of Shreyas however difficult it may be in the short run.
An example of preyas – A person keeps eating junk food which gives quick pleasure but in the long run he/she ends up with diseases. On the other hand a person sweating and working out in the gym in the short run experiences pain but in the long run gains good health.
Real wise one choses path of Shreyas involving Atmano Mokshartham Jagad Hitaya cha (Self Realization and selfless service) which will take him/her to ultimate good of blissful SELF realization.
Shri Prabhuji
18th May 2024