“What makes a person do something as terrible as that?” This universal question about human behavior is echoed by Arjuna in the Bhagavad-gita (03.36). The next verse (03.37) identifies that evil-impelling force to be lust and states the two characteristics that make it so dangerous: it is vicious (mahaa-papma) and voracious (mahaa-ashano):
1. Vicious: Lust is one of the six primary vices that drag the soul away from Krishna and into dreadful actions – dreadful for not just one’s spiritual prospects, but also for one’s material well-being. And dreadful not just for oneself, but also for others who become victimized by one’s lust. Naturally therefore, to help people regulate lust, every civilization places some social restraint centered on marriage. Yet this restraint alone is frequently not enough to regulate lust due to its second characteristic.
2. Voracious: The appetite of lust is insatiable; indulgence doesn’t pacify it, but aggravates it. People usually stop sex not because their mental craving is fulfilled but because their physical capacity is exhausted. Their mind wants more, but the body doesn’t allow it. Even when the bodily capacity is restored after some time, it can never match the mental craving. In fact, indulgence often inflames the imagination, thereby increasing the chasm between the craving and the capacity, and consequently exacerbating the dissatisfaction.
Gita wisdom explains the way out of this frustration. We are souls with an original natural love for Krishna. Lust is a perversion of that spiritual love. The more we practice bhakti-yoga and relish devotional fulfillment in loving remembrance of Krishna, the more lust subsides, as our need for happiness becomes redirected from matter towards Krishna. By this redirection, we become empowered to regulate lust more and more till finally we learn to delight forever in pure love for Krishna.
hare krsna.excellent write up.all the great relationships,romances and dalliace are based on soul love.Such a relationship which is pure,unconditional and selflessness endures forever and is infinitely more blissful than selfish,base,gross love which is so mechanical and torturesome especially for the female species.lord krishna’s relationship with the gopis was entirely subtle and devoid of sex completely.Sex indulgers go to hell as per the bhagavdam.as one of the key six enemies of liberation, it ought to be completely avoided.this will increase atmic bliss and pave the way for salvation.jai radhe krishna.hare krishna.jai srila prabhupada.
Hare Krishna….
Thanks Prji for explaining so nicely in simple words the nature and remedy of Lust……Hari Bol!
excellent article
Gita Daily articles have always been a joy to read and with the introduction of pictures, the curiosity about daily articles has been redoubled. Great job, GD team!
Bhagavad Gita has everything we need in it and Chaitanya Charan Prabhu can pick up and elaborate words that usually miss a casual reading, thereby helping us derive fresh insight with each article. Thank you very much!
Haribol dandavat pranam to all d devotees. Thank u chaitanya prabhuji to put d shlokas too.im really grateful. Hk
In the present times we see such lustful tendencies wrecking havoc in society and sends people on wild goose chase in search for answer. Modern materialist and educationist has no solution to these problems which are created due to their wrong notions and fundamentals. This answer hacks the illusion and provides such a direct solution. Caitanya Charan prabhu a true scholar indeed. May you be blessed with long life and good health so that you can remove the ignorance of many fallible souls. Hare Krsna Sudha Mehta
Mis respetuosas reverencias. Gracias por enunciar esos dos grilletes de la lujuria. Nos apartan de Krsna terriblemente. Hari bol
Thank you Pr for sharing this verse and exposing the worst outcome from lust …,