Curing the Heart Disease of Lusty Desires
The conditioned soul is plagued by a deep-rooted spiritual ailment known in the Vedic scriptures as hṛd-rogam, or heart disease. This malady manifests as an endless stream of lusty desires, driving the living entity through the struggles of material existence. This article explores the diagnosis of this condition and Śrīla Prabhupāda's prescription for a complete cure through the potent process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Lusty Desire as a Heart Disease
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the core problem of material life is not external, but internal—a disease of the heart. This "heart disease" is the accumulation of material lust (kāmam), which covers the soul's original pure consciousness and agitates the mind with mundane cravings.
- As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, kamam hrd-rogam. Materialistic life means that one is afflicted by a formidable disease called lusty desire.
- We have got a heart disease. Heart disease means lusty desire. Hrd-roga-kamam apahinoti: "It becomes vanquished." If one actually hears Krsna's rasa-lila, then no more material lusty desires, this is the result.
- Hrd-rogam kamam, this is a heart disease, to be lusty. But if anyone hears about the pastimes of Krsna and the gopis, through right source, then this hrd-rogam, this lusty desire in the heart, is suppressed and he will develop devotional service.
Efficacy of Hearing Kṛṣṇa's Pastimes
The cure for this formidable disease is unique; it involves hearing the very topics that might seem to resemble mundane affairs—the dealings of Kṛṣṇa and the gopīs—but in their transcendental form. When one hears these pastimes with faith and from a proper source, the effect is purifying, acting as a powerful medicine to flush out lust from the heart.
- When one hears or describes with great faith the pastimes of Lord Krsna, such as His rasa dance with the gopis, the disease of lusty desires in his heart and the agitation caused by the three modes of material nature are immediately nullified.
- The result of reading or hearing the Rasaleela in the devotional mood is stated (Bhag. 30/33/39) to become culminated in complete disappearance of the devotee's lust disease in the heart.
- The gopis, who are expansions of His (Krsna's) energy, then he will be relieved of the most dangerous type of disease, namely lust.
Danger of Artificial Imitation
A warning is given regarding the prakṛta-sahajiyās, or cheap imitators, who approach these confidential pastimes without the necessary reverence or spiritual qualification. Thinking the divine rāsa-līlā to be similar to mundane interactions between men and women, they fail to cure their heart disease and instead remain bound by their misconceptions.
Ultimate Cure: Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
Ultimately, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is designed as a therapeutic process to cleanse the heart of all material contamination. Through the chanting of the mahā-mantra and hearing authoritative philosophy, the devotee is raised to the transcendental platform where lust is vanquished and pure love of Godhead prevails.
- So the Krsna consciousness movement means to cure the heart disease full with lusty desires. This is Krsna consciousness.
- To cure the heart disease of lusty desires and greediness is chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam.
- So if one hears rasa-lila from authoritative source, the result will be that he will be promoted to the transcendental platform of loving service to Krsna. And the material disease, lusty desires, will be vanquished.
Conclusion
Lusty desire is not merely a behavioral flaw but a substantial disease of the heart (hṛd-rogam) that entraps the living entity in the material world. While difficult to overcome by ordinary means, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that this disease is curable through the potent medicine of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By faithfully hearing the transcendental pastimes of the Lord from authoritative sources and chanting the holy names, the devotee's heart is purged of lust, paving the way for pure devotional service.
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 Disease of Lusty Desires. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.