True Welfare Activities

(written April 20, 2019)

To understand what welfare activities must be performed by humans, we must understand the types of activities. There are two different types of general activities which people perform. These two activities are shreyas and preyas. Preyas is all action which causes immediate benefits and Shreyas is all action which causes ultimate benefits.

Preyas is all temporary actions, or actions which don’t have a lasting effect. Hence people who act their majority in Preyas are in the mode of rajas and tamas. These people engage in sense gratification, and their motto is instant gratification.

Shreyas has ultimate long lasting benefits. What is the highest benefit? Nothing but attaining Krishna prema or going back to Godhead. For us to do so, we have to take shelter of Krishna. In Bhagavad Gita, 9.14, Krishna says (satatam kirtayanto mam). “Always chanting My glories, endeavoring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.” We have to chant the names of Krishna and constantly do His service by glorifying Him through signing His past times, by sharing His words, by serving His Prasadam to others etc., These are the true welfare activities one must perform. By performing service to Krishna sincerely, we can also set an example for others. Therefore, we will be able to perform these welfare activities for the benefit of not only ourselves but society at large.