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 14TH JULY

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.

GITA SHLOKA 3.40  A HUMAN BEING WHO IDENTIFIES THIS BODY MADE OF THREE ELEMENTS WITH HIS SELF, WHO CONSIDERS THE BY-PRODUCTS OF THE BODY TO BE HIS KINSMEN, WHO CONSIDERS THE LAND OF BIRTH AS WORSHIPABLE, AND WHO GOES TO THE PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE SIMPLY TO TAKE A BATH RATHER THAN MEET MEN OF TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE THERE, IS TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN ASS OR A COW. 13TH JULY

TRANSLATION

The senses, the mind and the intelligence are the sitting places of this lust, which veils the real knowledge of the living entity and bewilders him.

PURPORT

The enemy has captured different strategic positions in the body of the conditioned soul, and therefore Lord Krsna is giving hints of those places, so that one who wants to conquer the enemy may know where he can be found.

 Mind is the center of all the activities of the senses, and thus the mind is the reservoir of all ideas of sense gratification; and, as a result, the mind and the senses become the repositories of lust.

 Next, the intelligence department becomes the capital of such lustful propensities.

 Intelligence is the immediate next-door neighbor of the spirit soul.

 Lusty intelligence influences the spirit soul to acquire the false ego and identify itself with matter, and thus with the mind and senses.

 The spirit soul becomes addicted to enjoying the material senses and mistakes this as true happiness.

 This false identification of the spirit soul is very nicely explained in the Srimad-Bhagavatam:

yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke

sva-dhih kalatradisu bhauma idyadhih

yat-tirtha-buddhih salite na karhicij

janesv abhijnesu sa eva gokharah.

"A HUMAN BEING WHO IDENTIFIES THIS BODY MADE OF THREE ELEMENTS WITH HIS SELF, WHO CONSIDERS THE BY-PRODUCTS OF THE BODY TO BE HIS KINSMEN, WHO CONSIDERS THE LAND OF BIRTH AS WORSHIPABLE, AND WHO GOES TO THE PLACE OF PILGRIMAGE SIMPLY TO TAKE A BATH RATHER THAN MEET MEN OF TRANSCENDENTAL KNOWLEDGE THERE, IS TO BE CONSIDERED AS AN ASS OR A COW."

Bhagvat: ALTHOUGH THE BODY IS TEMPORARY, NOT ETERNAL, ONE CAN TAKE FROM IT THE BEST SERVICE AND MAKE ONE'S LIFE PERFECT,12th JUly

Bhagvat: ALTHOUGH THE BODY IS TEMPORARY, NOT ETERNAL, ONE CAN TAKE FROM IT THE BEST SERVICE AND MAKE ONE'S LIFE PERFECT

TRANSLATION

THEREFORE ONE WHO IS IN FULL KNOWLEDGE SHOULD DIVIDE HIS ACCUMULATED WEALTH IN FIVE PARTS—FOR RELIGION, FOR REPUTATION, FOR OPULENCE, FOR SENSE GRATIFICATION AND FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF HIS FAMILY MEMBERS. SUCH A PERSON IS HAPPY IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE NEXT.

PURPORT

The shastras enjoin that if one has money one should divide all that he has accumulated into five divisions—one part for religion, one part for reputation, one part for opulence, one part for sense gratification and one part to maintain the members of his family. 

At the present, however, because people are bereft of all knowledge, they spend all their money for the satisfaction of their family. 

SHRILA RÜPA GOSVAMI TAUGHT US BY HIS OWN EXAMPLE BY USING FIFTY PERCENT OF HIS ACCUMULATED WEALTH FOR KRSHNA, TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT FOR HIS OWN SELF, AND TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT FOR THE MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY. One's main purpose should be to advance in Krshna consciousness. This will include dharma, artha and kama. However, because one's family members expect some profit, one should also satisfy them by giving them a portion of one's accumulated wealth. This is a shastric injunction.

TRANSLATION

The Vedas enjoin that the factual result of the tree of the body is the good fruits and flowers derived from it. But if the bodily tree does not exist, there is no possibility of factual fruits and flowers. Even if the body is based on untruth, there cannot be factual fruits and flowers without the help of the bodily tree.

PURPORT

This shloka explains that in relation to the material body even the factual truth cannot exist without a touch of untruth. The Mayavadis say, brahma satyam jagan mithya: "The spirit soul is truth, and the external energy is untruth." The Vaishnava philosophers, however, do not agree with the Mayavada philosophy. 

Even if for the sake of argument the material world is accepted as untruth, the living entity entangled in the illusory energy cannot come out of it without the help of the body. Without the help of the body, one cannot follow a system of religion, nor can one speculate on philosophical perfection. Therefore, the flower and fruit (pushpa-phalam) have to be obtained as a result of the body. Without the help of the body, that fruit cannot be gained. 

THE VAISHNAVA PHILOSOPHY THEREFORE RECOMMENDS YUKTA-VAIRAGYA. IT IS NOT THAT ALL ATTENTION SHOULD BE DIVERTED FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE BODY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME ONE'S BODILY MAINTENANCE SHOULD NOT BE NEGLECTED. AS LONG AS THE BODY EXISTS ONE CAN THOROUGHLY STUDY THE VEDIC INSTRUCTIONS, AND THUS AT THE END OF LIFE ONE CAN ACHIEVE PERFECTION. THIS IS EXPLAINED IN BHAGAVAD-GITA (8.6): yam yam vapi smaran bhavam tyajaty ante kalevaram. EVERYTHING IS EXAMINED AT THE TIME OF DEATH. THEREFORE, ALTHOUGH THE BODY IS TEMPORARY, NOT ETERNAL, ONE CAN TAKE FROM IT THE BEST SERVICE AND MAKE ONE'S LIFE PERFECT.

GITA SHLOKA 3.38, IN THE HUMAN FORM OF LIFE, ONE CAN CONQUER THE ENEMY, LUST (ROOT CAUSE FOR BONDING TO REBIRTHS), BY CULTIVATION OF KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS UNDER ABLE GUIDANCE, 11TH JULY

TRANSLATION

As fire is covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered by the womb, similarly, the living entity is covered by different degrees of this lust.

PURPORT

There are three degrees of covering of the living entity by which his pure consciousness is obscured.

This covering is but lust under different manifestations like smoke in the fire, dust on the mirror, and the womb about the embryo.

When lust is compared to smoke, it is understood that the fire of the living spark can be a little perceived.

In other words, when the living entity exhibits his Krsna consciousness slightly, he may be likened to the fire covered by smoke.

Although fire is necessary where there is smoke, there is no overt manifestation of fire in the early stage.

This stage is like the beginning of Krsna consciousness.

The dust on the mirror refers to a cleansing process of the mirror of the mind by so many spiritual methods.

The best process is to chant the holy names of the Lord.

The embryo covered by the womb is an analogy illustrating a helpless position, for the child in the womb is so helpless that he cannot even move.

This stage of living condition can be compared to that of the trees.

The trees are also living entities, but they have been put in such a condition of life by such a great exhibition of lust that they are almost void of all consciousness.

The covered mirror is compared to the birds and beasts, and the smoke covered fire is compared to the human being.

In the form of a human being, the living entity may revive a little Krsna consciousness, and, if he makes further development, the fire of spiritual life can be kindled in the human form of life.

By careful handling of the smoke in the fire, the fire can be made to blaze.

Therefore the human form of life is a chance for the living entity to escape the entanglement of material existence.

In the human form of life, one can conquer the enemy, lust, by cultivation of Krsna consciousness under able guidance.

Bhagvat: ONE SHOULD TRAIN TO SATISFY THE SPIRITUAL SENSES (WHICH ARE WITHIN THE MATERIAL COVERING OF THE BODY) TO GET REAL HAPPINESS,10th July

Bhagvat: ONE SHOULD TRAIN TO SATISFY THE SPIRITUAL SENSES (WHICH ARE WITHIN THE MATERIAL COVERING OF THE BODY) TO GET REAL HAPPINESS

TRANSLATION

ONE SHOULD BE SATISFIED WITH WHATEVER HE ACHIEVES BY HIS PREVIOUS DESTINY, FOR DISCONTENT CAN NEVER BRING HAPPINESS. A PERSON WHO IS NOT SELF-CONTROLLED WILL NOT BE HAPPY EVEN WITH POSSESSING THE THREE WORLDS.

PURPORT

IF HAPPINESS IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF LIFE, ONE MUST BE SATISFIED WITH THE POSITION IN WHICH HE IS PLACED BY PROVIDENCE. THIS INSTRUCTION IS ALSO GIVEN BY PRAHLADA MAHARAJA:

"MY DEAR FRIENDS BORN OF DEMONIAC FAMILIES, THE HAPPINESS PERCEIVED WITH REFERENCE TO THE SENSE OBJECTS BY CONTACT WITH THE BODY CAN BE OBTAINED IN ANY FORM OF LIFE, ACCORDING TO ONE'S PAST FRUITIVE ACTIVITIES. SUCH HAPPINESS IS AUTOMATICALLY OBTAINED WITHOUT ENDEAVOR, JUST AS WE OBTAIN DISTRESS." (BHAG. 7.6.3) THIS PHILOSOPHY IS PERFECT IN REGARD TO OBTAINING HAPPINESS.

REAL HAPPINESS IS DESCRIBED IN BHAGAVAD-GITA (6.21):

"IN THE SPIRITUALLY JOYOUS STATE, ONE IS SITUATED IN BOUNDLESS TRANSCENDENTAL HAPPINESS AND ENJOYS HIMSELF THROUGH TRANSCENDENTAL SENSES. ESTABLISHED THUS, ONE NEVER DEPARTS FROM THE TRUTH." 

ONE HAS TO PERCEIVE HAPPINESS BY THE SUPERSENSES. THE SUPERSENSES ARE NOT THE SENSES OF THE MATERIAL ELEMENTS. EVERY ONE OF US IS A SPIRITUAL BEING (AHAM BRAHMASMI), AND EVERY ONE OF US IS AN INDIVIDUAL PERSON. 

Our senses are now covered by material elements, and because of ignorance we consider the material senses that cover us to be our real senses. The real senses, however, are within the material covering. Dehino'smin yatha dehe: within the covering of the material elements are the spiritual senses. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalam: when the spiritual senses are uncovered, by these senses we can be happy. Satisfaction of the spiritual senses is thus described: hrshikena hrshikesha-sevanam bhaktir ucyate. WHEN THE SENSES ARE ENGAGED IN DEVOTIONAL SERVICE TO HRSHIKESHA, THEN THE SENSES ARE COMPLETELY SATISFIED. 

WITHOUT THIS SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE OF SENSE GRATIFICATION, ONE MAY TRY TO SATISFY HIS MATERIAL SENSES, BUT HAPPINESS WILL NEVER BE POSSIBLE. ONE MAY INCREASE HIS AMBITION FOR SENSE GRATIFICATION AND EVEN ACHIEVE WHAT HE DESIRES FOR THE GRATIFICATION OF HIS SENSES, BUT BECAUSE THIS IS ON THE MATERIAL PLATFORM, HE WILL NEVER ACHIEVE SATISFACTION AND CONTENTMENT.

ACCORDING TO BRAHMINICAL CULTURE, ONE SHOULD BE CONTENT WITH WHATEVER HE OBTAINS WITHOUT SPECIAL ENDEAVOR AND SHOULD CULTIVATE SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS. THEN HE WILL BE HAPPY. THE PURPOSE OF THE KRSHNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT IS TO SPREAD THIS UNDERSTANDING. 

PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE SCIENTIFIC SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE MISTAKENLY THINK THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE KRSHNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT ARE ESCAPISTS TRYING TO AVOID MATERIAL ACTIVITIES. IN FACT, HOWEVER, WE ARE ENGAGED IN REAL ACTIVITIES FOR OBTAINING THE ULTIMATE HAPPINESS IN LIFE. 

IF ONE IS NOT TRAINED TO SATISFY THE SPIRITUAL SENSES AND CONTINUES IN MATERIAL SENSE GRATIFICATION, HE WILL NEVER OBTAIN HAPPINESS THAT IS ETERNAL AND BLISSFUL. SHRIMAD-BHAGAVATAM (5.5.1) THEREFORE RECOMMENDS:

ONE MUST PRACTICE AUSTERITY SO THAT HIS EXISTENTIAL POSITION WILL BE PURIFIED AND HE WILL ACHIEVE UNLIMITED BLISSFUL LIFE.