Attracted to Sense Gratification - The Disease of the Conditioned Soul
The material world is a vast prison house built upon the desires of the conditioned living entities. At the very core of this bondage is the relentless drive to satisfy the demands of the physical body. Śrīla Prabhupāda rigorously expose the illusion of being attracted to sense gratification, demonstrating how it destroys human intelligence and contrasting it with the supreme, liberating pleasure found only in pure devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa.
The Root of Material Entanglement
The descent of the spirit soul into the material world is driven by a single, rebellious desire: to enjoy independently of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights how this original forgetfulness manifests as a perpetual attraction to the objects of the senses. This attraction forms a tight knot in the heart, particularly through the powerful allurement between male and female, ensuring that the soul remains bound to the cycle of birth and death.
- The living being is in the state of forgetfulness of his relation with God due to his being overly attracted to material sense gratification from time immemorial.
- Everyone comes to this material world attracted to sense gratification, and the hard knot of sense gratification is the attraction between male and female.
- The conditioned soul is attracted by the objects of sense gratification.
- The belly, although filled, still wants to eat more and the ear, not attempting to hear about You, is generally attracted to cinema songs. The sense of smell is attracted to yet another side, the restless eyes are attracted to scenes of sense gratification.
The Loss of Intelligence
When the mind becomes totally absorbed in pursuing physical pleasure, the higher intelligence required for self-realization is immediately covered. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that such individuals are known as kāma-mūḍhas—fools infatuated by lust. Blinded by the temporary sweetness of material enjoyment, they completely ignore the strict laws of nature and the severe punishments that await them for their illicit activities.
- In Bhagavad-gita (Bhagavad-Gita 7.20) it is said that persons who worship demigods have lost their intelligence: kamais tais tair hrta jnanah. They are much attracted to sense gratification, and therefore they worship the demigods.
- Word kama-mudha, meaning one who has lost his sense or is infatuated by lust of attraction for sense gratification, is used. Kama-mudhas are bereft of Krsna consciousness and devotional service and are infatuated by a strong desire for sense gratification.
- One is bereft of all intelligence when he is too attracted by sense gratification, and he forgets that he has to suffer the consequences also. Here the chance for recounting his activities of sense gratification is given by the dogs engaged by Yamaraja.
- The conditioned soul is sometimes attracted to the little happiness derived from sense gratification. Thus he has illicit sex or steals another's property. At such a time he may be arrested by the government or chastised by the woman's husband.
The Illusion of Material Civilization
Modern society often boasts of its economic and technological advancements, but from a spiritual perspective, these are merely sophisticated tools for bodily indulgence. Śrīla Prabhupāda strongly criticizes the prevailing materialistic mindset that dismisses spiritual understanding as sentimental nonsense. When a civilization's sole focus is producing and inventing for sense gratification, it degrades its citizens to the consciousness of animals.
- People are attracted to temporary happiness and sense gratification, culminating in bottomless, topless passion. There is no profit in such activities; one must engage himself in the Krsna consciousness movement.
- Their mission is, "What is this nonsense, spiritual understanding? Simply some sentiment, waste of time. Produce. Enjoy. Invent so many things for sense gratification" - Western civilization. And this is very attractive to the raksasa class.
- Thus they will be more attracted to economic development for sense gratification, and as a result there will be an unwanted population on the level of dogs and monkeys.
- My attraction for family is not for their benefit. By my sense gratification the family members help me, therefore I am attracted. The wife gives me pleasure; therefore I like wife. The wife also likes husband because husband gives pleasure.
The Devotee's Transcendental Standard
The only way to conquer the powerful pull of the material senses is to experience a higher, spiritual taste. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that a pure devotee is entirely immune to worldly allurements because their singular focus is on satisfying Kṛṣṇa. Floating in the nectarean ocean of devotional service, the Vaiṣṇava finds no appeal in mundane wealth, heavenly planets, or even impersonal liberation.
- A pure devotee is never attracted by sense gratification, and he is liberated. In material life a person engages in sense gratification for his own personal satisfaction, but in the devotional or liberated life one aims to satisfy the senses of the Lord.
- One who has them (spiritual food, shelter, defense and spiritual sense gratification) cannot be attracted by the so-called food, shelter, defense and sense gratification of the material world, even if they are relished by the denizens of the heavenly planets.
- A devotee says, "I am always swimming in the nectarean ocean of the pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and I have no more attraction for religious rituals, economic development, sense gratification, or even the ultimate salvation of merging into the existence of Brahman."
- If there is still some attraction for sense gratifying activities, then the result of such activities should be offered to Krsna. This is also called engagement in the service of the Lord, with the Lord as the master and the worker as the servant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, being attracted to sense gratification is the primary disease of the conditioned soul, leading directly to the loss of spiritual intelligence and perpetual bondage in the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda makes it abundantly clear that trying to satiate the senses through economic development or illicit activities is a futile and dangerous endeavor. The ultimate cure for this material disease is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, where the living entity redirects their inherent loving propensity toward the Supreme Lord, thereby experiencing true, eternal satisfaction and transcending the temporary allurements of material nature.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Attracted to Sense Gratification. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.