Why do Saints undergo so much pain and sufferings?

Answer 1

As yogis there path is difficult in this world of sinful people.As Gurus they have to suffer too much because of the sins of thier disciples yet they love them, forgive them and dont rest until they take them to thier destination. This is a nature of a saint

Answer 2

I didn't know they did. People as those are generally simple and peaceful who have an especially ' aware ' heart that they use to touch and guide others. What is the ' pain ' and ' suffering ' that they go through ? Is it " painful ' or ' suffering ' to speak your mind and hold to the Truth of the soul? I see a person as that being more as one of Truth and courage...not pain and suffering. Many would go through much (even pain and suffering) for another...especially for their children...does that make them a ' saint ' or simply one who is speaking and acting from the heart of my soul ? The " work " one might currently be doing is being done because it feels called to so. I'd think that is why any person does what they do when they feel called upon to ' touch ' others souls.

And...why can't someone simply be acknowledged for them sharing what they did with others ? Why does there have to be this whole " saint " thing that is simply a human label that is ' attached ' to for sake of ' labeling ' someone ?

I personally feel that people still get caught up in ' icons ', labels and such and are looking outward too much and not enough inward.

Some will go and get all excited because they touched the robe of or had an item ' blessed ' by a ' grand ' person. Fine to admire the work and words of fellow human...yet all that's needed for enlightenment and seeing the One more clearly is within your owns self already.

While I do respect the precious doings of people who have been labeled as a " saint " . . . I also personally feel the labeling of such persons a bit too grandiose and flamboyant.

Answer 3

Because one of the most difficult things to do is mastering human nature. Becoming a Saint is to be able to show others that spirit can be tamed and reflect God's nature.
Here are some quotes I love (by Mother Teresa) :

I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.

I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish that He didn't trust me so much.

It is not the magnitude of our actions but the amount of love that is put into them that matters.

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Answer 4

The perceived outer sufferings of the Saints do not affect them the least. They are realized souls who consider the body as a outer dress. Hence they are not affected if the dress is soiled or torn to pieces. They know that the Atma within is Eternal and the body is only a vesture worn by Atma.

Answer 5

There is no gain without pain in any thing in this world. Spiritualism is not an exception to this rule.

But that apart what appears to be pain to a layman is a pleasure to a saint. For a commoner material pleasures are the source of happiness. On the contrary saints detest all kinds of meterial joy in their life and adhere to simple ascetic mode of living. Therefore the estimation of differences in pain and pleasures are beginning from here itself.

The great saint from Tamilnadu, Sri Ramalinga Swami ( Vallalar ), said after he attained Realisation of God, that all the so called material pleasures in the world are no match to the Ananda (Happiness) derived in God realisation. In fact he regretfully said that any amount of his pleadings to the common men, could not convince them to take an active interest in God.

Answer 6

vBecause they know that all the souls are in search of infinite and eternal happiness.

Yo vai bhooma tatsukham.

It is their nature to share that happiness with us. Since we are always obsessed with our worldly thoughts, we can never feel that happiness which is our due. The saints take all the pains and sufferings, knowing that it is such a tedious task, to make a human being turn to the right orientation.

But they never get tired of that. They know they have a job to do.

Answer 7

We all suffer in this world.

The Saints were people, just like us, who learned to place all of their trust, love and lives in the hands of God. They grew to place all of what we would consider pain and suffering in the hands of God. The sufferings became a tribute or offering to God. He helped them through the sufferings lifting the burden of those sufferings.

For example, St. Stephen, who died being stoned to death for his faith in Jesus, saw Heaven He asked God to forgive his attackers. He suffered a terrible death but his suffering was not so great that he couldn't think of others. He is the first Christian martyr.

Yours in Christ Jesus, Grace

Answer 8

Do not all faithful suffer to some extent? and it is for their belief in God. What I believe to be pain and suffering may not be so to that person. It may possibly be their way of serving God.
Peace be with you.

Answer 9

two considerations are here -

one is the suffering for thoses who are not pure -

it is mercy to purify us and test us

like said in the Bhagavatam-

tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamano
bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam
hrd-vag-vapurbhir vidadhan namas te
jiveta yo mukti-pade sa daya-bhak

O Lord, one who seeks Your mercy, while tolerating all kinds of adversities due to past karma, who always serves You in devotion with his body, mind,and words, and who goes on offering prayers and obeisances to You from within the core of his heart despite all hardships, liberation is his rightful inheritance.
(Bhag. 10.14.8)

and for pure saints - they don't suffer

yata dekha vaisnavera vyavahara-duhkha
niscaya janiha sei parananda sukha
visaya-madandha saba kicchui na jane
vidya kula, dhana-made vaisnava na cine

When you see a Vaisnava/saint of the highest order who seems to be suffering from material misery, you should know for sure that he is really experiencing the highest ecstasy. Bewildered by sense enjoyment and puffed up with pride in their knowledge, education, birth, wealth, beauty, and so on, ignorant people cannot understand the activities or position of a Vaisnava.
(C.Bhag. Mad. 9.240-241)

Answer 10

They sacrifice themselves physically and spiritually so that they can share their intuitive knowledge to the world and make people realise that this world is but a mere illusion.