Page 24 - THE FOURTH DIMENSION

“One who acts in devotional service, renouncing the fruits of his actions, and whose doubts have been destroyed
by transcendental knowledge, is situated factually in the self. Thus he is not bound by the reactions of work, O
conqueror of riches.” (Bg 4.41)

Spiritual or transcendental knowledge frees one from all reactions good or bad of material activities (karma).
The devotee becomes progressively free to engage without doubt, anxiety or hesitation in Krishna’s devotional
service.

The most formidable enemy and destroyer of spiritual knowledge and self-realization is lust for sensual
pleasures and its concomitant factors of profit, distinction and adoration. Lord Krishna explains that the sitting
places of this lust are the senses, the mind and the intelligence. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada writes:

“Mind is the center of all the activities of the senses, and thus when we hear about sense objects the mind
generally becomes a reservoir of all ideas of sense gratification; and, as a result, the mind and the senses become
the repositories of lust. Next, the intelligence department becomes the capital of such lustful propensities.
Intelligence is the immediate next-door neighbor of the spirit soul. Lusty intelligence influences the spirit soul to
acquire the false ego and identify itself with matter, and thus with the mind and senses. The spirit soul becomes
addicted to enjoying the material senses and mistakes this as true happiness.” (Bg 3.40 - purport)
The only way to control lust is by regulating the activities of the senses. This requires a life style change by which
eating, sleeping, mating and defending are regulated according to spiritual principles of austerity, cleanliness,
truthfulness and mercy. The spiritual life style actually helps one attain peace and happiness. There are eight
principles. Four things to do every day: chant the Hare Krishna Mahamantra at least 16 rounds of 108 beads,
eat only sanctified vegetarian food (prasadam) offered to Lord Krishna, attend lectures by bona fide devotees
and read the Bhagavad-gita with them, regularly perform devotional service in the temple with devotees. Four
things to avoid: no meat eating or flesh of any kind, no intoxication including coffee and tea, no gambling or
philosophical speculation, no illicit sex outside of marriage and only sex in marriage for procreation. If one
accepts these rules and regulations and associates with devotees, he or she will quickly make spiritual progress
and become free of all miseries, anxieties and fears.

The knowledge Krishna delivers in the Bhagavad-gita becomes revealed and comprehensible to the sincere
devotee who adopts the life style changes enumerated above. Material lust is transformed into pure love for
Krishna by chanting Hare Krishna and following the rules and regulations. Bhaktivedanta Swami explains:

“Lust is only the perverted reflection of the love of God which is natural for every living entity. But if one is
educated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness from the very beginning, that natural love of God cannot deteriorate into lust.
When love of God deteriorates into lust, it is very difficult to return to the normal condition. Nonetheless, Kṛṣṇa
consciousness is so powerful that even a late beginner can become a lover of God by following the regulative
principles of devotional service. So, from any stage of life, or from the time of understanding its urgency, one can
begin regulating the senses in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, devotional service of the Lord, and turn the lust into love of
Godhead – the highest perfectional stage of human life.” (Bg. 3.41 – purport)

By practice of Krishna consciousness one can actually turn lust into love. But it is not done by continual
engagement in lusty behavior thinking that one will eventually become disgusted with it and give it up to seek
real love. A person who has always lived in the dark has no idea of what is the experience of living in light. Lord
Krishna and his pure devotees are able to dissipate the darkness of ignorance by the regulated practice of
Krishna consciousness. The Lord says:
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