(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 10 May 2013, Simhachalam, Germany, Srimad Bhagavatam 9.6.50)
Transcribed by Jnana-samudra das
Meditation basically means to focus the mind. We have a mind and certainly we have to focus the mind on Krsna. So in that sense, we are meditating and part of our process is also meditation: śravaṇaṁ, kīrtanaṁ, smaraṇaṁ – hearing, chanting, remembering; smaraṇaṁ remembering means meditation. So we are remembering and meditating on the Supreme Personality of Godhead – his name, fame, qualities, pastimes or his different forms in various expansions; like here, Lord Nrsimhadeva.
So that is there but at the same time, we are living in another age and our capacity to become absorbed in meditation is weak. We are easily distracted. That is our condition and it is very difficult to attain samadhi. Bhagavad-gita states bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānāṁ tayāpahṛta-cetasām (BG 2.44). It is saying that as long as one remains attached to sense gratification, then samādhau na vidhīyate (BG 2.44) then samadhi or complete absorption or meditation on the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not take place.
In that case, vyavasāyātmikā buddhir (BG 2.41): the intelligence does not become fixed. Or as the next verse says, vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca (BG 2.41): the intelligence becomes many-branched for one who is addicted to sense gratification; always looking for opportunities for enjoyment in this material world. It becomes a second nature. Just as one sees something in the corner of the eye, immediately the attention goes there. There used to be a sticker which said in large letters, “SEX” and then in small letters under it, “Now that I have your attention...” and it is a fact that sexuality is very powerful in attracting the mind. Somehow or the other, we came to this world for that type of enjoyment.
There is a story that I came across in a biography about Gandhi. It was described that one of Gandhi’s associates, who was an intimate follower of Gandhi and also a leader in the political party, just like Gandhi was practicing celibacy. Although he was married for twenty years, he stayed in separate bedrooms throughout his marriage. So in this way, he was very dedicated and strict. But then, a political opponent wanted to corrupt this man so that he would lose his strength and therefore he arranged for a prostitute.
That prostitute was sent to work in his office as a secretary and in the course of taking notes she made certain poses and somehow or other, managed to agitate his mind. So at one point he became so agitated that he could no longer control himself but nothing happened with that prostitute! What happened was that night, for the first time in twenty years, he went to the bedroom of his wife.
That point is interesting, at least for me. The interesting point is that the impulse for sexual agitation came in one situation and in came out in another one. And in that way, one can pick up the seeds of material enjoyment in various situations which will later sprout in other situations. Now that is interesting.
Just as it is stated in Caitanya Caritamrta that along with the creeper of bhakti and the seed of bhakti, there are many seeds of material enjoyment that also come up simultaneously. So we must be careful, one may say, “This movie doesn’t affect me. It doesn’t affect me at all. I know there are some scenes that are not really suitable for a devotee but they don’t affect me. We have transcendental knowledge so it means nothing to me.”
That may not be so because although at the moment there may be no effect apparently, the seeds may go in and work within the mind and in due course of time, desires may re-emerge. Therefore a vaisnava is very careful about associating with those who are addicted to sexual activities for sense gratification. We are very careful that we are not associating with these things if we can avoid it.
Of course, we cannot avoid it. It is impossible – in this world we are bombarded with so much illicit activities. Illicit sex is in your face all the time. What can be said? Srila Prabhupada pointed out that Ajamila, who was such a qualified brahmana, came across this low class man embracing a prostitute in the forest and he fell down, and then Prabhupada said, “What is our chance if Ajamila went down who was more qualified than we are.”
Our chance is that we have special protection. The protection of chanting the holy name and the added mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and that special protection is what can save us. Somehow how other that can give us the certain immunity.