Why don’t I give up sense gratification? Have we asked this to ourselves any time either before indulging in it or after indulging in it?
We suffer not because Krishna wants us to suffer but we suffer because we choose to suffer.
The process of Krishna Consciousness is simple. We have to engage our mind, body and senses in the service of Krishna. And this is applicable for all the ashramas – brahmachari, grihasta, vanaprasta and sannyasa.
But most of the times after spending good number of years in the association of devotees, it becomes clear to us that the only reason we suffer is because we do not fully engage ourselves in the service of Krishna. And if we are not serving Krishna then obviously, we are indulging in the activities of this material world.
We run after money, power and positions or like to remain obsessed with the thoughts of opposite gender. We want to earn unlimited amount of wealth because we think that money is power and with power, we can control other people. Also, with money we can do unlimited amount of sense enjoyment.
People in this world are obsessed with lusty desires and relish contemplating on lusty thoughts and indulge lusty activities. This is why we see all movies, movie songs, TV serials revolve around relationship between man and woman.
People see a man or woman running behind each other and indulging in vulgar activities in movies and imagine himself or herself doing the same. This they think is pleasurable but in fact this is abominable. This is what scriptures say. In Bhagavad Gita Krishna says that lust will take us to hell.
We might have experienced it ourselves that how lust causes so much suffering, how sense gratification makes us so miserable.
Give up desire for sense gratification
Unfortunate, even after coming to devotional life, we refuse to give up material enjoyment. And so, we suffer and are not able to relish Krishna Consciousness.
The only way by which we can free ourselves from all miseries is by giving up all sensual activities and being always engaged in the service of Krishna.
Srimad Bhagavatam tells the story of Pingala, a prostitute, who was going through so much mental agony when she had strong desire to enjoy with men. But after suffering considerably she decided to give up her lusty attachment. As soon as this thought came to her mind, she became so peaceful and when she decided to dedicate her life to Krishna, she became blissful.
So, let us give up all desire for sense gratification, especially the desire to enjoy with opposite sex.
If we do so, we will never be unhappy but will always be happy.
This is why Srila Prabhupada says, “Chant and be happy.”
Three Reflections
- We suffer not because Krishna wants us to suffer but we suffer because we choose to suffer.
- People see a man or woman running behind each other and indulging in vulgar activities in movies and imagine himself or herself doing the same.
- As soon as Pingala decided to give up her attachment to lust desires, she became peaceful.
Ask Yourself
Do I like seeing movie actors and actress indulging in sensual activities?
Action Item
Instead of spending 2 hours watching movies, try to read scriptures like Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam for 2 hours.
