BHAGAVAD GITA FOR THE MODERN LIFE: Swami Udit Chaithanya

02/12/2018
Bhagavad Gita for the modern life:

As we discussed in the prior session we are going to see the faults of EGO consciousness one by one, and techniques to modify them and improve ourselves.

 Let us see the first one in the list, Kama. KAMA is a compulsion to indulge in sensory pleasures. The classic example is Duryodhana who went to the extent of not being able to part even an inch of his territory for the Pandavas.

Today’s lesson:

Our scriptures give so many examples where Kama forces even learned and respectable men to stoop low and behave like monkeys and asses. In our daily lives we see varying examples which get people into trouble. Lust for food and drinks at the expense of health, lust for wealth, power and fame which make our politicians do wrong to the society, lust for flattery and sweet talk that get our boys and girls in trouble, are all examples of how lust directs our life in the wrong direction. Kama destroys ones clarity in thinking and power of discrimination. It finds comfort in domination, but is in fact at the lowest level of a person’s character evolution.

So if we intend to make ourselves better, a restraint of Kama(sensual pleasures of all types) is a must. This is not to say we should not enjoy life or should avoid all that gives us pleasure. It is important to use discretion and discrimination, what is acceptable and what.

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