The result of self-realization is cessation of the storms of
y desire and lust, which are products of the modes of ignorance
and passion. This cessation of the storm does not mean that the
sea becomes inactive. When the storm subsides, the work of
navigation can take place smoothly. According to the Indian sys-
tem of navigation, there is a ceremony on the seashore known as
the coconut day. On the coconut day the sea is offered a coconut
because she has become peaceful, and from that day on the
a seagoing vessels sail to foreign countries.
The three modes of nature divide human activities into two
t different spheres, one external and the other introspective. As
long as a man is dominated by the modes of ignorance and
passion, he is active externally in desire and lust. Men absorbed
; in desire and lust are called asuras, and they are always chasing
after women and money. For the sake of women and money the
asuras exploit every source of economic development. As a
result of this asuric civilization, the entire human society becomes
like a stormy sea, with no trace of peace and prosperity.

Too much of an external view of the world gives rise to an
overly large-scale and difficult type of industry and trade, known
as ugrakarma. The word ugra means “‘hard”’ or ‘“‘difficult,’”’ and

f| karma means ‘‘task.’’’ The development of hard and difficult in-

} dustrial undertakings always hinders the progressive cultivation

of the human spirit. Asuric leaders of society never retire from
such lustful undertakings unless killed by the laws of nature. For
them there is no question of retirement or of cultivating the
human spirit. But men in the mode of goodness have an intro-

7 spective mind, and after a regulative struggle for existence they
retire at a ripe old age and engage their time to cultivate the
human spirit.

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