Material Life by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur

Why do we like material existence?

We are bound to suffer if we cause anxiety to the spiritual master and the Vaishnavas, who are not ordinary like us. The spiritual master and the Vaishnava are by nature harder than a thunderbolt and softer than a rose. We must take utmost care when dealing with Lord Vishnu’s devotees. We must not be duplicitous with the spiritual master or the Vaishanavas. Such behavior would be most dangerous.

Unless one gladly follows the spiritual master’s orders one cannot call himself a disciple. If one gives up the lifestyle and rules and regulations of the maṭha, one is bound to become a materialist. If one does not realize the importance of living in the maṭha, serving the maṭha, and fulfilling the spiritual master’s mission, one will certainly become a materialist. A maṭha is nondifferent from Vaikuntha, and this material world is just like a gateway to hell. As soon as a living entity turns his face away from the Lord’s mercy, he falls down to material existence. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (3.9.10) states:

ahny āpṛtārta-karaṇā niśi niḥśayānā
nānā-manoratha-dhiyā kṣaṇa-bhagna-nidrāḥ
daivāhatārtha-racanā ṛṣayo ’pi deva
yuṣmat-prasaṅga-vimukhā iha saṁsaranti

“Such non-devotees engage their senses in very troublesome and extensive work, and they suffer insomnia at night because their intelligence constantly breaks their sleep with various mental speculations. They are frustrated in all their various plans by supernatural power. Even great sages, if they are against Your transcendental topics, must rotate in this material world.”

Constant endeavor to please Krishna is called devotional service. Actually, we have no duty other than to please Krishna at all times. All perfection is achieved simply by chanting the Lord’s holy name. We cannot serve the Lord without serving the holy name. If we can become servants of Krishna we will attain the ultimate goal of life, but if we serve Maya no one can protect us from misfortune

Why does a person who was once properly motivated develops material attachment after some time?

This person must not have heard hari-kathā, due to inattention while hearing. He has not tried at all to refrain from seeking immediate happiness. Rather, he is maddened for sense gratification on the advice of sinful people. The most important thing is to take shelter of the Supreme Lord. It does not matter whether we are educated or uneducated, powerful or weak. The living entities are transcendental by nature, but when they think they belong to this world, consisting of the three material modes, they become attached to this world

Are women and wealth obstacles on the devotional path?

Wealth, women, and fame are each bait for the senses. The conditioned souls are attracted to material enjoyment at every moment because Maya is constantly enticing us by showing us the bait. Tempting us with a woman’s association, Maya entangles us in this material world, just as a hunter captures a wild male elephant by luring him with a female elephant.

The living entities wander throughout the universe seeing illusory objects as real and miserable existence as happiness. Maya has arranged for some momentary happiness in this world in order to deceive the living entities. Whatever we see in this world that tempts us for sense gratification is Maya’s bait. Anyone who tries to enjoy them will be deceived, will be punished. “Eat, drink, be merry, and go to hell.” This mentality has swallowed human society. What a shame!

— Amṛta Vāṇī – Nectar of Instructions for Immortality » Adapted and Published by Īśvara dāsa » Translated from Bengali by Bhumipati dāsa » Edited by Kaiśorī devī dāsī » Published by Touchstone Media