Saved by the Higher Taste

Why is it that in spite of knowing what is the ultimate reality that so many aspiring transcendentalists fall by the wayside overcome by material desires? This phenomenon is observed by Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita. He says that among thousands of men, one will take to self-realization. And out of thousands who take to the self-realization process hardly even one person will become factually situated in self-realization.

It is sometimes stated that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This gives us the clue as to why so few are actually successful on the self-realization path. The high failure rate is due to a lingering attachment to bodily identification and sense gratification. As long as we continue to identify with and pander to the material senses we will not be able to become perfect in Krishna consciousness. Therefore at the time of initiation our disciples vow to abstain from illicit sex, meat eating, intoxication, and gambling. By strictly giving up these sinful activities and regularly chanting at least 16 rounds daily of the Hare Krishna mantra on japa beads, they experience within a gradually reawakening of their original spiritual taste for hearing and chanting the glories of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Once this higher taste is solidly achieved there will no falling back to the lower taste of material sense gratification because the devotee will become fixed in Krishna consciousness.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Guru-Disciple Relationship

What is the innermost significance of the spiritual master/disciple relationship?

Polash

Answer: The Only Means of Attracting Krishna

The innermost significance is that unless you become the devotee of Krishna's devotee, He will not accept you as His devotee. So taking shelter of the bona fide spiritual master, Krishna's pure devotee, is then the only way to fully attract the mercy of Krishna.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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