Utilization of Strong Desire in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
Desire is the constant companion of the living entity, indicating the presence of life and consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that in the material world, strong desire is often synonymous with bondage, driving the soul to perform fruitive activities that result in repeated birth and death. However, the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness teaches that this powerful force need not be suppressed, but rather utilized. By redirecting our strong desires from matter to the service of the Lord, the very energy that binds us can become the means of our liberation.
Trap of Material Desire
When desire is focused on material enjoyment, it becomes a source of entrapment. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the analogy of a silkworm to describe how a living entity, driven by the strong urge to enjoy, weaves a cocoon of karma around himself. This material ambition, primarily rooted in sex desire, forces the soul to accept one body after another, perpetuating the cycle of suffering.
- A living being is entrapped by his fruitive activities, exactly like a silkworm trapped in its own cocoon. Foolish persons are generally encaged by their fruitive actions (karma) because of a strong desire to enjoy this material world.
- The sarga, the repetition of birth, is due to our strong desire for material enjoyment. So long we do not discard this desire of material enjoyment, we have to take our birth repeatedly.
- Every living being within this material world has a strong desire to enjoy matter to his fullest satisfaction. For this purpose, the conditioned soul must accept one body after another, and thus his strongly fixed fruitive desires continue.
Purification, Not Annihilation
A common misconception is that spiritual life requires the complete negation of desire. However, making desire "zero" is impossible because the soul is eternal and active. The solution is not to kill the desire—which would result in a spiritual suicide or voidism—but to convert it. The energy of "kāma" (lust/desire) must be transformed into service for Kṛṣṇa.
- Desire is so strong. So how to make it zero? That is not possible. To make it zero means no more material desire. That is to make zero material desires. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam.
- Kama means you have a strong desire to do something. That is kama. So convert it, this kama desire, for Krsna's activities.
Channeling Determination into Service
When strong desire is dovetailed in the service of the Lord, it becomes the greatest asset. Whether it is the desire to build a temple, preach the message of Godhead, or simply to see Kṛṣṇa, this intense eagerness (laulyam) is the price one pays for spiritual advancement. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites examples such as the Gopīs and his own mission to show how this determination leads to success.
- Ordinary people, they are working day and night very hard, but what is the purpose? The purpose is sense gratification. The same desires, strong desires that, "I must get it done; I must have it," for Krsna, then it becomes Krsna consciousness.
- I cherished a strong desire to start a Temple in the heart of the city, and by the grace of Lord Krishna these boys and girls rented a five storied house in the busiest quarter of central London.
- Nirbandhini, strong desire. It doesn't require any other price to become advanced in spiritual life, simply to become very strongly eager, laulyam. Then life is successful.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the quality of our existence is determined by the quality of our desires. While strong material desire acts as a relentless chain binding the soul to the material world, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the same intensity, when purified and directed toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead, becomes the vehicle for liberation. As the quotes reveal, one who maintains a strong desire to serve Kṛṣṇa is effectively liberated, even while moving within this world.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vāṇī
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Strong Desire. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.