Shloka 19
Dharma, Purity, and the Inner Purpose of the Vedas
Karma-kāṇḍa Reoriented to Bhakti
विषयेषु गुणाध्यासात् पुंस: सङ्गस्ततो भवेत् । सङ्गात्तत्र भवेत् काम: कामादेव कलिर्नृणाम् ॥ १९ ॥
viṣayeṣu guṇādhyāsāt puṁsaḥ saṅgas tato bhavet saṅgāt tatra bhavet kāmaḥ kāmād eva kalir nṛṇām
Karena menganggap objek indria memiliki daya tarik, seseorang menjadi terikat padanya. Dari keterikatan itu timbul nafsu, dan dari nafsu itulah pertengkaran di antara manusia muncul.
The actual goal of human life should not be material sense gratification, for it is the basis of conflict in human society. Although the Vedic literature sometimes sanctions sense gratification, the ultimate purpose of the Vedas is renunciation, since Vedic culture cannot possibly recommend anything that disturbs human life. A lusty person is easily angered and becomes inimical to anyone frustrating his lusty desires. Since his sex desire can never be satisfied, a lusty person ultimately becomes frustrated with his own sex partner, and thus a “love-hate” relationship develops. A lusty person considers himself to be the enjoyer of God’s creation and is therefore full of pride and false prestige. The lusty, proud person will not be attracted to the process of humble submission at the lotus feet of the bona fide spiritual master. Attraction to illicit sex is thus the direct enemy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which depends upon humble submission to the representative of the Supreme Lord. Lord Kṛṣṇa also states in Bhagavad-gītā that desire for illicit sex is the all-devouring, sinful enemy of this world.
FAQs
This verse explains that attachment begins when we project or imagine desirable qualities in sense objects; that attachment then fuels desire and ultimately leads to conflict and degradation.
In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa instructs Uddhava on how bondage forms in the mind so that one can cultivate detachment and steady devotion while living in the world.
Notice the mind’s habit of glamorizing objects (status, pleasure, possessions); reduce exposure and cultivate higher taste through bhakti—then desire weakens and relationships become less quarrelsome.