(Kadamba Kanana Swami, 25 June 2013, Czech Summer Camp, Srimad Bhagavatam 8.3.1)
Transcribed by Jnana-samudra das
Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur describes that in a situation of war, one is facing the army of the enemy and that we are not only facing the army of the enemy opposite us but the enemy has also sent spies into our own ranks. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur explains that in the same way, in the war with maya, we are not just standing opposite of maya – it is not only that maya is outside of us presenting different temptations – but maya is also within, indriyāṇi mano buddhir asyādhiṣṭhānam ucyate (BG 3.40). It is said that lust is situated within in the senses, the mind and the intelligence. So in this way, there is weakness from within.
Therefore we have to protect ourselves very carefully – both within and without. Internally, always cleansing our consciousness, ceto-darpana-mārjanam (CC Antya 20.12), by the process of hearing and chanting and externally by placing ourselves in a safe position.
