Anyone Who Is Not Spiritually Advanced Cannot Avoid Sex Desire
Spiritual life is characterized by a higher taste (param dṛṣṭvā nivartate). Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that without this higher spiritual advancement, it is impossible to cease material enjoyment, specifically sex life. This principle applies universally, from the common man to priests and renunciants. If one is not spiritually advanced, external repression of desires will eventually fail. Therefore, the hallmark of an "Aryan" or a civilized human being is their degree of spiritual culture, which naturally leads to sense control and enthusiasm for serving the Lord.
Necessity of Higher Taste
The sex drive is the strongest shackle of the material world. It cannot be negated simply by rules or dress. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that even priests or persons in the renounced order must indulge in illicit activity if they lack genuine spiritual knowledge. Control of the senses is a byproduct of spiritual advancement, not the cause of it.
- Anyone who is not spiritually advanced, he cannot avoid the sex.
- They (priests) must have (sex) because they have no spiritual knowledge. Anyone who is not spiritually advanced, he cannot avoid the sex.
- In the present age there are many persons who accept the renounced order of life but who are not spiritually advanced. Lord Caitanya did not approve of one's accepting sannyasa without having perfect knowledge of Krsna consciousness.
Defining Human vs. Animal
The distinction between a human and an animal is not merely biological; it is spiritual. The term "Aryan" refers to one who is advanced in spiritual value. A person devoid of spiritual sense is no better than a bipedal animal.
- The word Aryan means advanced. Unless one is spiritually advanced, he cannot be called an Aryan, and this is the difference between Aryan and non-Aryan. Non-Aryans are those who are not spiritually advanced.
- If one is not spiritually advanced or has no spiritual sense, he's animal. He is not human being.
Practical Symptoms of Stagnation
How can one tell if they are advancing? Śrīla Prabhupāda gives a simple daily test: enthusiasm. If one feels lazy when it is time for maṅgala-ārati, it is a sign of poor spiritual health. Similarly, chanting without advancement remains a mechanical process without appeal.
- The test is within our hand. If during mangala-arati we feel laziness, that means I'm not yet spiritually advanced. And if one feels enthused, "Now it is time for mangala-arati, let me stand up, let me do this," then it is spiritual.
- If you are not spiritually advanced, this chanting of Hare Krsna mantra also will not appeal. It will be happening mechanically.
Asat-saṅga: Forbidden Association
To protect one's spiritual creeper, one must be selective about association. While a devotee is friendly to everyone, intimate association with those who are not spiritually advanced is strictly forbidden (asat-saṅga-tyāga), as their material attachments can contaminate the aspiring devotee.
- Association with persons who are not spiritually advanced is forbidden. Lord Caitanya advised, asat-sanga-tyaga: one should avoid persons who are attached to the temporary.
- His (a devotee's) behavior should always be straightforward and simple, and although he is not envious but friendly to everyone, he should avoid the company of persons who are not spiritually advanced.
Conclusion
Being spiritually advanced is the only safety in the material world. Without it, one risks degrading into lower species due to mundane affections (like attachment to pets). Therefore, one must strive to increase their love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, avoiding the pitfalls of mechanical practice and bad association.
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 Not Spiritually Advanced. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.