10.09 – When the world has got so much from us, why should Krishna get less?

Few worldly things activate us as much as the prospect of enjoyment. Among all forms of enjoyment, the most stimulating is sexual enjoyment. The mind energized by sexual fantasies can move faster than the speed of light.

These fantasies decelerate when we understand how all worldly enjoyment is insubstantial, being produced by material sensations that are peripheral to us as non-physical souls. Our fascination with sexual enjoyment is a misdirection of our original attraction for Krishna. Pertinently, the Bhagavad-gita (10.09) indicates how serious devotees delight in loving and serving Krishna by using the word ramanti, a word that frequently refers to sexual pleasure in the Vedic context.

When we try to redirect our love towards Krishna, the fantasy of worldly enjoyment still keeps haunting us and de-energizes us in our devotional journey.

How can we energize ourselves?

By contemplating the principle of redirection, which implies that we offer to Krishna what we earlier offered to the world.

We all know how much we gave while pursuing material pleasures: given up our night sleep to watch late-night cricket matches; forgotten our meals for the sake of succeeding in our careers; put aside dignity and morality to chase sexual pleasures.

Such comparative contemplation is empowering: “If the world got so much from me, why should Krishna get anything less? I gave so much to the world and got so little. If I give that much to Krishna, who is my supreme well-wisher, he will give me eternal happiness. Why should I hold myself back?”

When we thus offer ourselves to Krishna, our life will become far more exciting and fulfilling than it would have been even if all our worldly fantasies came true. And that devotional excitement and fulfillment will continue for all of eternity.

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The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.