Our Material Disease Lies in Wanting to Satisfy Our Senses
This article explores the core problem of conditioned life as presented in the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda. While modern civilization equates advancement with increased sense gratification, the Vedic standard identifies this pursuit as our primary disease. By understanding the difference between material lust and spiritual love, and by analyzing Arjuna's practical example in the Bhagavad-gītā, one can learn how to cure this disease by utilizing their senses exclusively for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa.
The Disease of Sense Gratification
The entire material world operates on a single, powerful impetus: the urge to enjoy. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that whether we are expanding our desires to our family, community, or nation, the root cause is always personal sense gratification. This is the definition of kāma, or lust. The more a civilization advances in finding new ways to satisfy the senses, the deeper the conditioned souls fall into the material disease, forgetting that true happiness lies in an entirely opposite direction.
- Our material disease lies in wanting to satisfy our senses. We have stated before that advancement of civilization means advancement of sense gratification, but bhakti means just the opposite.
- Material desire arises when one wants to satisfy one's personal senses.
- In the material world, the consciousness is for sense gratification. I want to possess these things, because I want to satisfy my senses. This is the impetus, economic impetus. Otherwise nobody would work hard.
- Atmendriya-priti-vancha-tare bali 'kama' (CC Adi 4.165): "When I want to satisfy my senses, that is kama." But krsnendriya-priti-iccha dhare 'prema' nama: "And when we want to satisfy the senses of Krsna, then it is love, prema." That is the difference.
Kṛṣṇa as the Order Supplier
Because Kṛṣṇa is sitting in everyone's heart, He knows exactly what the living entity desires. If a soul stubbornly wants to satisfy its senses apart from Him, the Lord does not interfere. Instead, He acts as the supreme order supplier, providing the specific material body and the facilities required to fulfill those desires. However, this divine facilitation is not an endorsement; it binds the living entity to the rigid laws of karma, forcing them to suffer the sinful reactions of illicit activities.
- If one wants to do something in order to satisfy his senses, Krsna gives all facility. This is stated in Bhagavad-gita. Sarvasya caham hrdi sannivistah: I am sitting in everyone's heart.
- When he (the living entity) wants to engage in Krsna consciousness, a suitable body is offered to him by the internal potency, the spiritual energy of the Lord, and when he wants to satisfy his senses, a material body is offered.
- Materially, everyone wants to satisfy his senses, and he wants God to be the order supplier for such satisfaction. The Lord will satisfy the senses of the living entities as much as they deserve, but not to the extent that they may covet.
- You want to satisfy your sex? All right. You have got legitimate wife. - "No. I want to satisfy my senses." Therefore illicit sex is sinful.
The Illusion of Mundane Morality
The disease of sense gratification is incredibly subtle; it often disguises itself as high morality or piety. On the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, Arjuna decided he would rather give up his kingdom than fight his relatives. To ordinary men, this appeared to be a very noble, nonviolent decision. However, Kṛṣṇa firmly rejected this mentality because the basic principle behind it was still material: Arjuna simply wanted to satisfy his own senses and bodily attachments rather than execute his spiritual duty for the Supreme Lord.
- Arjuna wanted to satisfy his senses by refraining from fighting with his relatives, but Krsna spoke to him to convince him to execute his duty for the satisfaction of the Supreme.
- Sri Arjuna, wanting to satisfy his senses by becoming a so-called nonviolent and pious man, at first decided not to fight.
- The whole instruction to Arjuna is that Arjuna wanted to satisfy his senses, his senses. He wanted that, that by not fighting with the opposite party, who were composed of his relatives, brothers and brother-in-laws and father-in-laws.
- Materially, it appears very nice that Arjuna is giving up his claim of kingdom for satisfying his relatives. Oh, he's very good man. But Krsna did not approve it. Why? Because the basic principle was Arjuna decided to satisfy his own senses.
The Standard of the Pure Devotee
The ultimate cure for the material disease is bhakti, pure devotional service. A true bhakta does not artificially repress the senses like a mystic yogī, nor do they deny them like an impersonalist. Instead, they purify their activities by constantly wanting to satisfy the senses of Kṛṣṇa. Whether it is preparing beautiful, palatable dishes to offer to the Lord or engaging in dynamic preaching, the pure devotee experiences supreme satisfaction simply by giving pleasure to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- A true bhakta wants to satisfy not his senses but the senses of Krsna. That is the spiritual world.
- The devotees simply want to satisfy the senses of the Supreme Lord, and so they take part in the pure activities of love of Godhead. There is no question of lust in that category of pure transcendental love.
- The devotees are above the yogis and the jnanis because pure devotees do not deny the senses of the Lord; they want to satisfy the senses of the Lord.
- For example, eating is necessary, and one wants some palatable dishes to satisfy his sense of taste. So in that case, for the satisfaction of Krsna rather than for the satisfaction of the tongue, some palatable dishes may be prepared and offered to Krsna.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that our suffering in the material world is directly tied to our stubborn desire to satisfy our own senses. This deep-rooted lust forces us to accept repeated material bodies and suffer the consequences of karma, even when disguised as mundane morality. The only escape from this disease is to adopt the consciousness of a pure devotee. By chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and utilizing everything for Kṛṣṇa's pleasure, we transform our lust into eternal, pure love of Godhead.
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 Wanting to Satisfy Senses. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.