Attraction Between Man and Woman - The Basic Principle of Material Existence
While modern society writes endless volumes of poetry and literature romanticizing worldly love, the Vedic perspective offers a starkly realistic analysis. Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings strip away the romantic illusion to reveal that the attraction between man and woman is the fundamental mechanism of material bondage. By understanding how this biological and psychological knot binds the soul to the cycle of birth and death, a sincere spiritual practitioner can learn how to successfully transcend it.
Engine of the Material World
The material creation is not running on mere gravity and atomic forces; its true engine is the desire for sense gratification. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the core of this desire is the mutual attraction between the sexes. Governed by the mode of passion, this dynamic is the starting point of material illusion, acting as the universal bait that draws the pure spirit soul into the trap of temporary, bodily existence.
- Actually this whole material world is running on this attraction between man and woman.
- The attraction between male and female is the basic principle of material existence.
- 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 mode of passion is characterized by the attraction between man and woman. Woman has attraction for man, and man has attraction for woman. This is called the mode of passion.
Tightening Knot of Illusion
Attraction may begin subtly, but sexual union and marriage rapidly accelerate material entanglement. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that when a man and woman unite, the casual attraction solidifies into a formidable knot in the heart. This union instantly generates a host of new necessities—children, a home, financial stability, and social prestige—which collectively chain the living entity to the bodily conception of life.
- Generally, everyone has got attraction for woman. Woman has got attraction for man. That is general. But when they are united by marriage, the attraction becomes very acute, hrdaya-granthim ahuh. Hrdaya-granthi means very hard knot.
- The man wants woman, woman wants man, because there is attraction. And when, by that attraction, the man and woman is united, then the result is the children.
- There is attraction between man and woman, and as soon as the attraction becomes little intimate, they unite. Then they have children. Then they require money, apartment, so many things.
- By this attraction (the attraction between male and female), one becomes overly attached to the material world in terms of grha-ksetra-suta-apta-vitta - that is, home, land, children, friends, money and so forth.
Universal Power of Maya
No one in the material world is naturally immune to this force. To illustrate the terrifying strength of material allurement, Śrīla Prabhupāda cites examples of highly elevated personalities. Even great mystics and cosmic controllers have been temporarily bewildered by beautiful women. This universal vulnerability proves that mere intellectual knowledge is insufficient to overcome the deep-rooted sex impulse.
- The attraction between man and woman, or male and female, always exists everywhere, making everyone always fearful.
- This illusion (the attraction between men and women) acted upon Kasyapa Muni, although he was very learned and advanced in spiritual knowledge.
- Lord Siva was supposed to be above all this attraction (between man and woman), but he was victimized by the captivating power of Lord Visnu.
- Reciprocations of lusty desire took place between Lord Siva and the beautiful woman, even though Uma and Lord Siva's associates were by Lord Siva's side. Such is the attraction between man and woman in the material world.
Transcendental Solution
Since artificial repression fails, the only way to conquer material attraction is to experience a superior, spiritual taste. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures his followers that by strictly engaging in the devotional service of Lord Kṛṣṇa, the overwhelming allure of the opposite sex fades away. In the ultimate spiritual reality, male and female exist, but their interactions are entirely free from the feverish, exploiting nature of material lust.
- If you are fully engaged in Krsna's service attraction of women will be a myth only. It is only Krsna's grace. Of course we are old men now, but even old men they are attracted still by women.
- Give up the connection with woman is recommended. So in our Society it will be a good test. We are mixed up with men and women. If you, in spite of this allurement, if you do not become attracted by woman, then you should know you are paramahamsa.
- In the material world there is attraction between men and women and this attraction is stronger than anything else. In the spiritual world there is also attraction, but it is not so strong as the attraction for chanting the Lord's glories.
- This male-female question is everywhere. The only difference is that in spiritual world there is no need of sex life, or there is no impelling sex life, although there is attraction between man and woman.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the attraction between man and woman is not a mere biological footnote; it is the central pillar of the illusory energy designed to keep the conditioned soul imprisoned in material consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully exposes how this initial attraction rapidly cascades into a complex web of material obligations and anxieties. By recognizing this profound danger and actively transferring our loving propensity to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we can successfully untie the hard knot in the heart and awaken to the pure, unmotivated bliss of the spiritual world.
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 Attraction Between Man and Woman. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.