Bewilderment of the Living Entity - Because of Lusty Desires

The conditioned soul is trapped in the material world not by external force, but by internal attachment. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that lusty desires steal away spiritual intelligence, leaving the living entity confused and entangled in a cycle of frustration. This article examines the devastating effects of such unchecked desires and the process of reclaiming one's original consciousness through devotional service.

The Loss of Spiritual Intelligence

The Bhagavad-gītā states that those whose intelligence has been stolen by material desires surrender to demigods or forget God entirely. Lust acts as a veil that covers the living entity's natural wisdom. Because of this covering, one becomes incapable of perceiving the Supreme Personality of Godhead, even though He is situated within one's own heart as the Supersoul.

• A living entity cannot exist without desires, but desires that can never be fulfilled are called kama, lusty desires. Kamais tais tair hrta jnanah: (BG 7.20) because of lusty desires, nondevotees are deprived of their intelligence.
• This is explained in the Bhagavad-gita: kamais tais tair hrta-jnanah prapadyante ’nya-devatah (BG 7.20). "A person who loses his intelligence because of greed and lust forgets the Supreme Personality of Godhead and takes shelter of the demigods."
• Although You (Krsna) are within the heart, the foolish, because of lusty desires in the heart, cannot understand You.

The Struggle for Existence

Once intelligence is lost, the living entity enters a cycle of endless toil. Although part and parcel of the Supreme Being and heir to spiritual bliss, the conditioned soul continuously struggles for economic development and temporary sense gratification. This struggle is fueled by the false hope that material accumulation will eventually satisfy the burning fire of lust.

• One whose mind and senses are uncontrolled becomes increasingly attached to family life because of insatiable lusty desires and very strong illusion. In such a madman's life, the remaining years are also wasted.
• Although every living entity is a part of the Supreme Being, because of lusty desires one continuously struggles for so-called betterment of one's economic condition.
• In the material world, because of intense lust and desire for enjoyment, one becomes implicated in sinful life more and more.

The Destruction of Virtue

Lust is not merely a mental distraction; it dismantles the very foundation of a virtuous life. When one succumbs to uncontrolled desire, a host of auspicious qualities—such as patience, memory, truthfulness, and gravity—are destroyed. Even great personalities like Lord Śiva have been historically cited to show how lusty desires can momentarily overpower good sense, illustrating the formidable power of material nature.

• O my Lord, because of lusty desires from the very beginning of one's birth, the functions of one's senses, mind, life, body, religion, patience, intelligence, shyness, opulence, strength, memory and truthfulness are vanquished.
• Lord Siva, his good sense taken away by the woman (Mohini-murti) because of lusty desires to enjoy with Her, became so mad for Her that even in the presence of Bhavani he did not hesitate to approach Her.

The Path of Redemption

Despite the entrapment caused by lust, the situation is not hopeless. The process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness does not demand the impossible task of becoming desireless; rather, it trains the devotee to utilize those same dynamic forces for the service of the Lord. By directing one's passion toward Kṛṣṇa, the cause of bondage is transformed into the cause of liberation.

• As we have fallen into this material existence because of our lust and anger, the same two qualities can be utilized for the purpose of advancing in Krsna consciousness, and one can elevate himself again to his former pure, spiritual position.
• It is said, maya-mrgam dayitayepsitam anvadhavad: (SB 11.5.34) Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu took sannyasa to show His causeless mercy to the maya-mrgas, the people of this material world, who suffer because of lusty desires.

Conclusion

The degradation of the living entity happens because of lusty desires. These desires act as a thief of intelligence, leading the soul away from the Supreme Lord and into a bewildering forest of material suffering. However, by the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we are given the method to reverse this process. By engaging our desires in the saṅkīrtana movement and the service of Kṛṣṇa, we reclaim our lost intelligence and return to our original, happy position.

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 Because 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.