Desire is a formidable power that can both work for us and against us. To manage it effectively, we need to see it in relationship with the Divine that is the source of everything, including desire. 

Human desire is founded in divine desire: The Bhagavad-gita explains that we all are parts of the all-attractive Divinity, Krishna (15.07). Because Krishna has desires, we too, as his parts, have desires. His deepest desire is to love and be loved. That too is our deepest desire. Thus, our power to desire doesn’t originate from anything evil, anything separate from God.

Human desire is facilitated by divine desire: Krishna wants our voluntary love, not our forced submission. That’s why he has given us all free will to choose to love and seek whatever we want. And when we seek such things, it is he who facilitates us in fulfilling those desires. Suppose we desire something beautiful. It is because of him that beautiful things exist; it is because of him that we have the abilities and resources that enable us to pursue those beautiful things; indeed, it is because of him that we have the very consciousness that appreciates beauty. He is the overseer, sanctioner and maintainer (13.23), who provides us with our desirables according to our karma . 

Human desire is fulfilled in divine desire: Divine desire can refer to both desire for the Divine and desire of the Divine. Whatever we find desirable, it reflects a spark of the attractiveness of the supreme divinity, Krishna (10.41). When we direct our desire toward Krishna, our heart finds the ultimate fulfillment (07.19). And when we love Krishna, we naturally want to make his desires our own, thereby uniting more intimately in love with him. 

One-sentence summary:

Human desire is founded in divine desire, facilitated by divine desire and fulfilled in divine desire. 

Think it over:

  • How is human desire founded in divine desire?
  • How is human desire facilitated by divine desire?
  • How is human desire fulfilled in  divine desire?

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10.41: Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor.