GITA SHLOKA 3.41 ONE SHOULD CURB THIS GREAT SYMBOL OF SIN [LUST] BY REGULATING THE SENSES, AND SLAY THIS DESTROYER OF KNOWLEDGE AND SELF-REALIZATION
TRANSLATION
Therefore, O Arjuna, best of the Bharatas, in the very beginning curb this great symbol of sin [lust] by regulating the senses, and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization.
PURPORT
The Lord advised Arjuna to regulate the senses from the very beginning so that he could curb the greatest sinful enemy, lust, which destroys the urge for self-realization, and specifically, knowledge of the self.
Jnanam (ज्ञान) refers to knowledge of self as distinguished from non-self, or, in other words, knowledge that the spirit soul is not the body.
Vijnanam (अध्यात्म) refers to specific knowledge of the spirit soul and knowledge of one's constitutional position and his relationship to the Supreme Soul.
It is explained thus in the Srimad-Bhagavatam: jnanam parama-guhyam me yad-vijnana-samanvitam / sarahasyam tad-angam ca grhana gaditam maya:
"THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SELF AND THE SUPREME SELF IS VERY CONFIDENTIAL AND MYSTERIOUS, BEING VEILED BY MAYA, BUT SUCH KNOWLEDGE AND SPECIFIC REALIZATION CAN BE UNDERSTOOD IF IT IS EXPLAINED BY THE LORD HIMSELF." BHAGAVAD-GITA GIVES US THAT KNOWLEDGE, SPECIFICALLY KNOWLEDGE OF THE SELF.
THE LIVING ENTITIES ARE PARTS AND PARCELS OF THE LORD, AND THEREFORE THEY ARE SIMPLY MEANT TO SERVE THE LORD.
THIS CONSCIOUSNESS IS CALLED KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS.
SO, FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF LIFE ONE HAS TO LEARN THIS KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS, AND THEREBY ONE MAY BECOME FULLY KRSNA CONSCIOUS AND ACT ACCORDINGLY.
LUST IS ONLY THE PERVERTED REFLECTION OF THE LOVE OF GOD WHICH IS NATURAL FOR EVERY LIVING ENTITY.
BUT IF ONE IS EDUCATED IN KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, THAT NATURAL LOVE OF GOD CANNOT DETERIORATE INTO LUST.
WHEN LOVE OF GOD DETERIORATES INTO LUST, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RETURN TO THE NORMAL CONDITION.
NONETHELESS, KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS IS SO POWERFUL THAT EVEN A LATE BEGINNER CAN BECOME A LOVER OF GOD BY FOLLOWING THE REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES OF DEVOTIONAL SERVICE.
SO, FROM ANY STAGE OF LIFE, OR FROM THE TIME OF UNDERSTANDING ITS URGENCY, ONE CAN BEGIN REGULATING THE SENSES IN KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS, DEVOTIONAL SERVICE OF THE LORD, AND TURN THE LUST INTO LOVE OF GODHEAD—THE HIGHEST PERFECTIONAL STAGE OF HUMAN LIFE.
