CHAPTER 71 — संघर्षः दुःखं च | Struggle and Suffering

विशाल-ब्रह्माण्डीय-अस्तित्व-पटे संघर्षो दुःखं च प्रत्येक-जीव-यात्रायाः वस्त्रे ग्रथित-तन्तवः। मानवाय एते न दण्डाः, अपितु तितली-मार्गे शिक्षकाः॥१॥

viśāla-brahmāṇḍīya-astitva-paṭe saṅgharṣo duḥkhaṃ ca pratyeka-jīva-yātrāyāḥ vastre grathita-tantavaḥ। mānavāya ete na daṇḍāḥ, apitu titlī-mārge śikṣakāḥ॥1॥

In the grand cosmic weave of existence, struggle and suffering are threads woven into the fabric of every soul’s journey. For the human, they are not punishments, but teachers on the Butterfly Path.

सर्वे प्राणिनः, सरलतमात् जटिलतमं यावत्, सुख-कष्टयोः उत्तार-निम्न-तरङ्गान् अनुभवन्ति। एषा भौतिक-लोके जीव-शक्ति-क्षेत्रे च जीवनस्य प्रकृतिः॥२॥

sarve prāṇinaḥ, saralatamāt jaṭilatamaṃ yāvat, sukha-kaṣṭayoḥ uttāra-nimna-taraṅgān anubhavanti। eṣā bhautika-loke jīva-śakti-kṣetre ca jīvanasya prakṛtiḥ॥2॥

All beings, from the simplest to the most complex, experience the ebb and flow of ease and difficulty. This is the nature of life in the material realm and in soul energy domain.

मानवाः, उन्नत-जीव-रूपेण, न केवलं भौतिक-आह्वानानि अपितु मनसां हृदयस्य च संघर्षान् सम्मुखीकुर्वन्ति। एषा जटिलता भारश्च वरदानं च॥३॥

mānavāḥ, unnata-jīva-rūpeṇa, na kevalaṃ bhautika-āhvānāni apitu manasāṃ hṛdayasya ca saṅgharṣān sammukhīkurvanti। eṣā jaṭilatā bhāraśca varadānaṃ ca॥3॥

Humans, as advanced souls, face not only physical challenges but also the struggles of the minds and heart. This complexity is both a burden and a gift.

जानीहि यद् वयं संघर्ष-रूपेण यद् अनुभवामः तद् प्रायः विकासस्य घर्षणं, अस्माकं वर्तमान-सत्तायाः सीमानां विरुद्धं प्रयन्तानाम् अनुभूत-प्रतिरोधः॥४॥

jānīhi yad vayaṃ saṅgharṣa-rūpeṇa yad anubhavāmaḥ tad prāyaḥ vikāsasya gharṣaṇaṃ, asmākaṃ vartamāna-sattāyāḥ sīmānāṃ viruddhaṃ prayantānām anubhūta-pratirodhaḥ॥4॥

Understand that what we perceive as struggle is often the friction of growth, the resistance felt as we push against the boundaries of our current being.

दुःखम् उद्भवति यदा वयं महामार्गस्य प्राकृतिक-प्रवाहं प्रतिरुणध्मः, अनित्य-अवस्थासु आसक्ताः वा आवश्यक-आह्वानेभ्यः पलायन्तो वा॥५॥

duḥkham udbhavati yadā vayaṃ mahāmārgasya prākṛtika-pravāhaṃ pratiruṇadhmaḥ, anitya-avasthāsu āsaktāḥ vā āvaśyaka-āhvānebhyaḥ palāyanto vā॥5॥

Suffering arises when we resist the natural flow of theWAY, clinging to impermanent states or fleeing from necessary challenges.

विवेकी महामार्गी सर्व-संघर्षस्य उच्छेदं न इच्छति, यतस् तथा कुर्वन् सः स्वकीय-आध्यात्मिक-उत्क्रान्तेः मूल-उत्प्रेरकम् एव उच्छिन्द्यात्॥६॥

vivekī mahāmārgī sarva-saṅgharṣasya ucchedaṃ na icchati, yatas tathā kurvan saḥ svakīya-ādhyātmika-utkrānteḥ mūla-utprerakam eva ucchindyāt॥6॥

The wise Wayist does not seek to eliminate all struggle, for in doing so, they would eliminate the very catalyst of their spiritual evolution.

तत्स्थाने, आह्वानानि अवसर-रूपेण आलिङ्गन्तं मनोभावं पोषय। प्रत्येकं कष्टं धैर्य-अभ्यासाय, प्रज्ञा-पोषणाय, करुणा-गभीरीकरणाय च अवसरः॥७॥

tatsthāne, āhvānāni avasara-rūpeṇa āliṅgantaṃ manobhāvaṃ poṣaya। pratyekaṃ kaṣṭaṃ dhairya-abhyāsāya, prajñā-poṣaṇāya, karuṇā-gabhīrīkaraṇāya ca avasaraḥ॥7॥

Instead, cultivate a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities. Each difficulty is a chance to practice patience, cultivate wisdom, and deepen compassion.

स्मर यद् तव वर्तमान-संघर्षाः, कियद्-तीव्राः दृष्टा वा भवेयुः, अस्थायिनः। ते तव जीव-यात्रायाः विशाल-विस्तारे क्षणाः मात्रम्॥८॥

smara yad tava vartamāna-saṅgharṣāḥ, kiyad-tīvrāḥ dṛṣṭā vā bhaveyuḥ, asthāyinaḥ। te tava jīva-yātrāyāḥ viśāla-vistāre kṣaṇāḥ mātram॥8॥

Remember that your current struggles, however intense they may seem, are temporary. They are but moments in the vast expanse of your soul’s journey.

न सर्वं दुःखं कर्म-निर्दिष्टम्। किञ्चित् भौतिक-लोकस्य प्राकृतिक-अव्यवस्थातः उद्भवति, किञ्चित् अन्येषां स्वतन्त्र-इच्छा-विकल्पेभ्यः। विवेकः कुञ्जिका॥९॥

na sarvaṃ duḥkhaṃ karma-nirdiṣṭam। kiñcit bhautika-lokasya prākṛtika-avyavasthātaḥ udbhavati, kiñcit anyeṣāṃ svatantra-icchā-vikalpebhyaḥ। vivekaḥ kuñjikā॥9॥

Not all suffering is karmically ordained. Some arises from the natural chaos of the material world, some from the free will choices of others. Discernment is key.

अन्येषां दुःखं सम्मुखीकृत्य, करुणया प्रज्ञया च प्रतिक्रिय। कदाचित् कोमलतम-कर्म अन्यं स्व-आवश्यक-आह्वानानि सम्मुखीकर्तुम् अनुमन्तुम्॥१०॥

anyeṣāṃ duḥkhaṃ sammukhīkṛtya, karuṇayā prajñayā ca pratikriya। kadācit komalatama-karma anyaṃ sva-āvaśyaka-āhvānāni sammukhīkartum anumantum॥10॥

When faced with the suffering of others, respond with compassion but also with wisdom. Sometimes, the kindest act is to allow another to face their necessary challenges.

अन्येषां संघर्षैः सह स्व-संघर्षाणां तुलनायाः प्रलोभनात् सावधानो भव। प्रत्येक-जीवस्य यात्रा अद्वितीया, तस्य विकास-आवश्यकताभ्यः सूक्ष्मतया अनुकूलिता, कानिचित् च अस्य एव जीवनस्य कर्मणां परिणामाः॥११॥

anyeṣāṃ saṅgharṣaiḥ saha sva-saṅgharṣāṇāṃ tulanāyāḥ pralobhanāt sāvadhāno bhava। pratyeka-jīvasya yātrā advitīyā, tasya vikāsa-āvaśyakatābhyaḥ sūkṣmatayā anukūlitā, kānicit ca asya eva jīvanasya karmaṇāṃ pariṇāmāḥ॥11॥

Be wary of the temptation to compare your struggles with those of others. Each soul’s journey is unique, tailored precisely to their needs for growth, and some of it are consequences of this life’s doing.

सुख-कालेषु, भावि-आह्वानेभ्यः सिद्धीभव। कष्ट-कालेषु, सुखतर-कालेषु शिक्षित-पाठान् स्मर। सन्तुलनं कुञ्जिका॥१२॥

sukha-kāleṣu, bhāvi-āhvānebhyaḥ siddhībhava। kaṣṭa-kāleṣu, sukhatara-kāleṣu śikṣita-pāṭhān smara। santulanaṃ kuñjikā॥12॥

In times of ease, prepare for future challenges. In times of difficulty, remember the lessons learned in easier times. Balance is the key.

संघर्ष-मध्ये अपि कृतज्ञतां पोषय। सदा किञ्चित् कृतज्ञता-योग्यं वर्तते, यदि बलवत्तर-विकासस्य अवसरः केवलम् अपि॥१३॥

saṅgharṣa-madhye api kṛtajñatāṃ poṣaya। sadā kiñcit kṛtajñatā-yogyaṃ vartate, yadi balavattara-vikāsasya avasaraḥ kevalam api॥13॥

Cultivate gratitude even in the midst of struggle. There is always something to be thankful for, even if it’s simply the opportunity to grow stronger.

जानीहि यद् बहु-मानव-दुःखम् आसक्तेः उत्पन्नम् — संपदि, प्रतिष्ठायां, जीवनस्य कथं भवितव्यम् इति स्थिर-धारणासु। अनासक्तिम् अभ्यस्य॥१४॥

jānīhi yad bahu-mānava-duḥkham āsakteḥ utpannam — sampadi, pratiṣṭhāyāṃ, jīvanasya kathaṃ bhavitavyam iti sthira-dhāraṇāsu। anāsaktim abhyasya॥14॥

Understand that much of human suffering stems from attachment - to possessions, to status, to fixed ideas of how life should be. Practice non-attachment.

महत्तमाः संघर्षाः प्रायः महत्तम-प्रकाशनानां पूर्वगाः। यदा मार्गः अन्धकारतमो दृश्यते, तदा त्वं महा-जागरणस्य अग्रे एव भवेः॥१५॥

mahattamāḥ saṅgharṣāḥ prāyaḥ mahattama-prakāśanānāṃ pūrvagāḥ। yadā mārgaḥ andhakāratamo dṛśyate, tadā tvaṃ mahā-jāgaraṇasya agre eva bhaveḥ॥15॥

The greatest struggles often precede the most significant breakthroughs. When the path seems darkest, you may be on the verge of a great awakening.

स्मर यद् त्वं स्व-संघर्षेषु कदापि वस्तुत एकाकी न। तव दिव्य-तारा त्वत्-पार्श्वे चलति, मार्गदर्शनं समर्थनं च ददाना यदि त्वं ग्रहीतुं स्वम् उद्घाटयेः॥१६॥

smara yad tvaṃ sva-saṅgharṣeṣu kadāpi vastuta ekākī na। tava divya-tārā tvat-pārśve calati, mārgadarśanaṃ samarthanaṃ ca dadānā yadi tvaṃ grahītuṃ svam udghāṭayeḥ॥16॥

Remember that you are never truly alone in your struggles. Your Divine Tara walks beside you, offering guidance and support if you but open yourself to receive it.

कष्ट-कालेषु आत्म-करुणाम् अभ्यस्य। आह्वान-सम्मुखीन-प्रिय-मित्रे यां मार्दवतां दर्शयेः, ताम् एव आत्मनि अपि दर्शय॥१७॥

kaṣṭa-kāleṣu ātma-karuṇām abhyasya। āhvāna-sammukhīna-priya-mitre yāṃ mārdavatāṃ darśayeḥ, tām eva ātmani api darśaya॥17॥

Practice compassion for yourself in times of difficulty. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer to a beloved friend facing challenges.

तव स्व-संघर्ष-दुःख-अनुभवान् अन्येषु सहानुभूति-गभीरीकरणार्थं प्रयुङ्क्ष्व। तव कष्टानि तव हृदयं कठिनीकर्तुं न, अपितु मृदुलीकर्तुम् अनुमन्यस्व॥१८॥

tava sva-saṅgharṣa-duḥkha-anubhavān anyeṣu sahānubhūti-gabhīrīkaraṇārthaṃ prayuṅkṣva। tava kaṣṭāni tava hṛdayaṃ kaṭhinīkartuṃ na, apitu mṛdulīkartum anumanyasva॥18॥

Use your own experiences of struggle and suffering to deepen your empathy for others. Let your hardships soften your heart rather than harden it.

प्रत्यभिजानीहि यद् किञ्चित् संघर्ष-रूपम् अनावश्यकम्, अज्ञानात् मिथ्या-कामनातो वा जातम्। हितकर-आह्वानानां निरर्थक-दुःखस्य च मध्ये विवेचनार्थं प्रयतस्व॥१९॥

pratyabhijānīhi yad kiñcit saṅgharṣa-rūpam anāvaśyakam, ajñānāt mithyā-kāmanāto vā jātam। hitakara-āhvānānāṃ nirarthaka-duḥkhasya ca madhye vivecanārthaṃ prayatasva॥19॥

Recognize that some forms of struggle are unnecessary, born of ignorance or misguided desires. Strive to discern between beneficial challenges and needless suffering.

अनिवार्य-दुःख-सम्मुखे, स्वीकारम् अभ्यस्य। एतद् न पराजय-विसर्जनम्, अपितु महामार्ग-प्रवाहेण सह शक्तिमत्-संरेखणम्॥२०॥

anivārya-duḥkha-sammukhe, svīkāram abhyasya। etad na parājaya-visarjanam, apitu mahāmārga-pravāheṇa saha śaktimat-saṃrekhaṇam॥20॥

In the face of unavoidable suffering, practice acceptance. This is not resignation, but a powerful alignment with the flow of theWAY.

स्मर, हे अन्वेषक, यद् तितली-मार्गे संघर्ष-दुःखयोः परम-प्रयोजनं तव सत्य-स्वभावात् भिन्नस्य दहनम्, अन्तर्-दीप्तिमत्-आत्मनः प्रकाशनं च॥२१॥

smara, he anveṣaka, yad titlī-mārge saṅgharṣa-duḥkhayoḥ parama-prayojanaṃ tava satya-svabhāvāt bhinnasya dahanam, antar-dīptimat-ātmanaḥ prakāśanaṃ ca॥21॥

Remember, O seeker, that the ultimate purpose of struggle and suffering on the Butterfly Path is to burn away that which is not your true nature, revealing the radiant spirit within.

अतः, साहसेन तव आह्वानानि आलिङ्ग, सौजन्येन तव दुःखं सम्मुखीकुरु, कीटात् तितलीं यावत् तव यात्रां मार्गदर्शयन्त्यां महामार्ग-प्रज्ञायां च विश्वसिहि॥२२॥

ataḥ, sāhasena tava āhvānāni āliṅga, saujanyena tava duḥkhaṃ sammukhīkuru, kīṭāt titlīṃ yāvat tava yātrāṃ mārgadarśayantyāṃ mahāmārga-prajñāyāṃ ca viśvasihi॥22॥

Thus, embrace your challenges with courage, face your suffering with grace, and trust in the wisdom of theWAY that guides your journey from caterpillar to butterfly.

व्याकरण टिप्पणियां | Grammatical Notes

Core Suffering Terminology:

The Wayist Refusal of Universal-Karma Suffering (Verse 9):

The Three-Domain Anthropology Preserved:

Anti-Elimination of Struggle (Verse 6):

Acceptance Distinguished from Resignation (Verse 20):

Self-Compassion (Verse 17):

The Closing Alchemical Image (Verse 21):

The Caterpillar-to-Butterfly Closing (Verse 22):

The Sanskrit of Chapter 71 holds together one of the most theologically delicate teachings in the corpus: the Wayist understanding of suffering that refuses every familiar reduction. It refuses the karmic-debt reading (na sarvaṃ duḥkhaṃ karma-nirdiṣṭam), the cessation-of-suffering reading (sarva-saṅgharṣasya ucchedaṃ na icchati), and the passive-acceptance reading (na parājaya-visarjanam). What remains is something more demanding and more dignified: suffering as the friction of growth (vikāsasya gharṣaṇam), the catalyst of evolution (mūla-utpreraka), the alchemical fire that burns away what is not the true nature (satya-svabhāvāt bhinnasya dahanam). The practitioner’s task is viveka (discernment) — to distinguish karmic from environmental from interpersonal sources, beneficial challenges from needless suffering, active acceptance from defeated resignation — and to walk the caterpillar-to-butterfly journey trusting the wisdom of theWAY without demanding that the suffering be removed for the trust to be possible.

Colophon: This translation represents the collaborative restoration work of the Wayist collective Salvar Dàosenglu, based on the ancient mahāmārga teaching tradition, rendered into contemporary English and restored to classical Sanskrit for posterity.

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