Tulasi Vanam

A common obstacle is the rise of strong desires or lust that particularly seem to create turmoil as we start with our sadhana (spiritual endeavours) or attempt to walk the path of dharma. Pujyapad Puri Shankaracharyaji guides us on how to deal with this.

Why does lust and desire arise?

Other than Bhagavan, all is defective and impure. Lust, desire, anger, attachment, grief – all these feelings arise from the perception of duality. Hence, they have no grip in deep sleep but we experience them when we are awake or in our dreams.

When we dig the earth to tap the water that lies deep underground, all types of soil surfaces. On digging a borewell, we can se gravel, dark and light coloured mud, sandy soil, etc. Similarly, when we start our sadhana, our entire system gets churned and deeper thoughts and feelings start surfacing.

According to the eighteenth chapter of the Bhagavadgita, we must become capable of overcoming the desires, lust, anger, greed, etc., that emerge from within. If a person walks towards Bhagavan, he is tested by Bhagavan and is also presented with struggles in life. This must be known by us.

How should we deal with the rise of desires?

  1. Be patient and stay strongly committed to your path. These obstacles are like wind in the opposite direction of your movement. They can slow your pace and even make you fall but do not stop walking towards your goal.
  2. Undertake a sadhana that interests you and is suitable for you. Also, you must do practices that are within the limits of your authority.
  3. Listening to discourses, studying, self-assessment, maintaining discipline and worshipping Bhagavan will help us.
  4. Where Bhagavan is remembered, there is no scope for being compelled by desires. Hence, stay connected with dharma and Bhagavan to protect yourself from these tendencies.
  5. Do not cross the limits of your modesty to fulfil desires.
  6. It is the word of the Manusmriti that by chanting the name of Bhagavan aloud, our mental-world/thoughts and imagination (manorajya) calms down. Emotions that create tension settle down with this simple practice. Sit in solitude and chant aloud:

    गोविंद जया जया
    गोपाल जया जया
    राधा रमण हरि
    गोविंद जया जया

    Govinda Jaya Jaya
    Gopala Jaya Jaya
    Radha Ramana Hari
    Govinda Jaya Jaya

    As you chant, listen to these words yourself. Slowly your mind shall calm down.

  7. Remember that Bhagavan alone is flawless and free from any sin. He alone is the embodiment of truth, purity and bliss and worth desiring.
  8. Make Bhagavan the object of your desire, then you would not be drawn to the other desires. Desire directed towards Bhagavan, it takes the form of divine love.
  9. Offer your lust and desires at the Lotus feet of Bhagavan to help in your self-purification.

Always remember, Bhagavan is Satyam Shivam Sundaram and keep walking ahead with strong determination.

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