Like a Silkworm in a Cocoon – How We Are Becoming Entangled
The material world is often compared to a vast forest or a complex network where every step can lead to further entrapment. A striking analogy used by Śrīla Prabhupāda is that of the silkworm. The silkworm works hard to secrete a thread, winding it around itself to create a cocoon. It thinks it is building a comfortable home, but in reality, it is building its own tomb. Similarly, the conditioned soul works tirelessly to create a life of comfort and security, only to find itself becoming entangled in a web of karma that forces it to take birth again and again.
Knot of Attachment
The foundation of all entanglement is the attraction between male and female. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this basic biological impulse acts as a "tight knot" in the heart. Once a man is attracted to a woman, he seeks a home (gṛha), then land or a job to support it (kṣetra), then children (suta), friends (āpta), and wealth (vitta). What began as a simple desire for companionship expands into a heavy burden of obligation. The home, which should be an āśrama (shelter), often becomes a gṛham andha-kūpam—a dark well from which it is almost impossible to escape.
- A woman attracts a man, and in that way the scope of material activities, involving house, wealth, children and friendship, increases, and thus instead of decreasing one's material demands, one becomes entangled in material enjoyment.
- Actually everyone is surrounded by such a (like the deer in the flower garden) family life, which misleads one. The living entity thus forgets that he has to return home, back to Godhead. He simply becomes entangled in family life.
- That increased attachment (when a man and woman unites) will induce one to accumulate grha (a home), ksetra (land), suta (children), apta (friendship or society) and vitta. Vita means money. In this way - grha-ksetra-sutapta-vittaih - he becomes entangled.
Law of Reaction
Entanglement is the mechanism of the law of karma. Every action has a reaction. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that even seemingly innocent or "good" activities bind us if they are done independently of God. Even philanthropists and scientists, who believe they are helping the world, are merely creating new chains of reaction. In sinful activities, the entanglement is collective. For example, in the killing of an animal, everyone involved—the person who permits it, the butcher, the seller, the cook, and the eater—becomes equally entangled in the sin.
- We are committing so many abominable things, and we are becoming entangled like that silkworm. He is making a bag without knowledge, and gradually he becomes entangled within this and dies. That is our position.
- When animals are killed in a slaughterhouse, the person who gives permission for the killing, the person who kills, the person who helps, the person who purchases the meat, the person who cooks the flesh and the person who eats it, all become entangled.
Unnecessary Necessities
Modern civilization is expert at increasing entanglement. By manufacturing "unnecessary necessities"—complex technologies, artificial comforts, and endless consumer goods—society forces people to work harder and harder to maintain a standard of living that does not actually bring happiness. This over-endeavor captures the mind and leaves no time for self-realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that universities often serve to educate students on how to become more deeply entangled in this temporary existence.
- Not understanding the aim of life, even though the materialist acquires sufficient necessities, he manufactures artificial necessities and thus becomes more and more entangled. He creates a mental situation whereby he needs greater and greater comforts.
- In every college and university all over the world, there are so many different courses available to help the student become more entangled in the material world and to forget his real occupation.
Solution: Work for Kṛṣṇa
Is the solution to stop working? No. The solution is to change the consciousness of the work. When one works for Kṛṣṇa (devotional service), the reaction is neutralized. A devotee may manage money, raise a family, or run a business, but because they do it under the direction of the Supreme Lord and for His pleasure, they are not entangled. This is the art of karma-yoga.
- The steadily devoted soul attains unadulterated peace because he offers the result of all activities to Me (Krsna); whereas a person who is not in union with the Divine, who is greedy for the fruits of his labor, becomes entangled.
- If we simply engage in Krsna consciousness, everything becomes clear. Otherwise we will have to make distinctions between what we should do and what we should not do in order not to become entangled.
Conclusion
The tragedy of material life is that the very plans we make for freedom and happiness often become the ropes that bind us. Like the silkworm, we are architects of our own imprisonment. However, the Vedic wisdom offers a sharp pair of scissors to cut this cocoon: the practice of detached work offered to the Divine. By understanding the laws of entanglement and shifting our allegiance from the false ego to the Supreme Lord, we can live in this world like a lotus leaf in water—touching the surface but never getting wet.
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 Becoming Entangled. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.