Bhagvatam: LUST, ANGER AND GREED ARE THE CAUSES OF THE CONDITIONED SOUL'S BONDAGE IN THIS MATERIAL WORLD
TRANSLATION
MY DEAR KING, A SELF-SATISFIED PERSON CAN BE HAPPY EVEN WITH ONLY DRINKING WATER. HOWEVER, ONE WHO IS DRIVEN BY THE SENSES, ESPECIALLY BY THE TONGUE AND GENITALS, MUST ACCEPT THE POSITION OF A HOUSEHOLD DOG TO SATISFY HIS SENSES.
PURPORT
According to the sastras, a brahmana, or a cultured person in Krshna consciousness, will not enter anyone's service to maintain body and soul together, and especially not for satisfaction of the senses. A true brahmana is always satisfied. Even if he has nothing to eat, he can drink a little water and be satisfied. This is only a matter of practice.
Unfortunately, however, no one is educated in how to be satisfied in self-realization. As explained above, a devotee is always satisfied because he feels the presence of the Supersoul within his heart and thinks of Him twenty-four hours a day. That is real satisfaction. A devotee is never driven by the dictations of the tongue and genitals, and thus he is never victimized by the laws of material nature.
TRANSLATION
Because of greed for the sake of the senses, the spiritual strength, education, austerity and reputation of a devotee or brahmana who is not self-satisfied dwindle, and his knowledge gradually vanishes.
TRANSLATION
The strong bodily desires and needs of a person disturbed by hunger and thirst are certainly satisfied when he eats. Similarly, if one becomes very angry, that anger is satisfied by chastisement and its reaction. But as for greed, even if a greedy person has conquered all the directions of the world or has enjoyed everything in the world, still he will not be satisfied.
PURPORT
In Bhagavad-gita (3.37) it is stated that lust, anger and greed are the causes of the conditioned soul's bondage in this material world. Kama esha krodha esha rajo-guna-samudbhavam.
When strong lusty desires for sense gratification are unfulfilled, one becomes angry. This anger can be satisfied when one chastises his enemy, but when there is an increase in lobha, or greed, which is the greatest enemy caused by rajo-guna, the mode of passion, how can one advance in Krshna consciousness?
If one is very greedy to enhance his Krshna consciousness, this is a great boon. Tatra laulyam ekalam mülam. This is the best path available.
