The Desire For Material Enjoyment

The Desire For Material Enjoyment
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura
Only when we realize, by the mercy of guru and sādhu, that we are servants of the Supreme Lord will we attain auspiciousness. As soon as we receive transcendental knowledge our propensity to enjoy matter will be destroyed. Until we understand the principle that we are servants of the Lord and dev¬otees of Visnu we will continue to see the material world as meant for our enjoyment. We will not be able to see this world in the mood of īśāvāsyam.
We try to lord it over material nature. The only hope we have of spiritual survival is to seek the as¬sociation of a pure devotee. Those who desire their ultimate benefit should not approach preachers who are puffed up with lust, anger, greed, ego, or envy. If they do, they will never attain transcen¬dental knowledge. Unless we associate with great personalities who are free from material desire, our own desire for material enjoyment will not be destroyed. We will not realize ourselves as the Lord’s servants. The Caitanya-caritāmṛta states:
mahat-kṛpā vinā kona karme ’bhakti’ naya
kṛṣṇa-bhakti dūre rahu, saṁsāra nahe kṣaya
Unless one is favored by a pure devotee, one cannot attain the platform of devotional service. To say nothing of kṛṣṇa-bhakti, one cannot even be relieved from the bondage of material existence. (Madhya 24.97)
sādhu-saṅga-kṛpā kimvā kṛṣṇera kṛpāya
kāmādi ’duḥsaṅga’ chāḍi’ śuddha-bhakti pāya
One is elevated to the platform of devotional life by the mercy of a Vaiṣṇava, the bona fide spiritual master, and by the special mercy of Krishna. On that platform, one gives up all material desires and the association of unwanted people. Thus, one is elevated to the platform of pure devotional service. (Madhya 22.51)
– Amṛta Vāṇī: Nectar of Instructions of Immortality of His Divine Grace Bahktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura Prabhupada; Compiled by Sripada Bahkti Mayukha Bhagavat Maharaja; Adapted and Published by Isvara dasa; Translated from Bengali by Bhumipati Dasa, Touchstone Media.