The Battle with the Senses

When one seriously adopts the path of bhakti, he immediately gets resistance from the material senses. The practitioner of bhakti resolves to only give his senses what is needed for a healthy life and not beyond this. He refuses to overindulge his senses. But in material life the senses are accustomed to being overindulged on a regular basis. Therefore when one begins the path of bhakti the senses adamantly demand that they should receive the gratification they are accustomed to, even though this is not healthy and not favorable for spiritual progress. Therefore the devotee must be careful not to cave in to the demands of the senses. He must accept only as much sense gratification as is necessary for a healthy life so that he can free up as much energy as possible for his practice of Krishna consciousness.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

Answers According to the Vedic Version:

Question: Why God Doesn't Force Us to Be Good?

I firmly believe that God is everywhere and that without Him we cannot do anything. He will just show us two paths in life: good and bad and leave the choice to us. It is we who decide which one to take for the rest of our life. Even when we take the wrong path, why does not He prevent us at the very first time?

I always have this doubt and now I found a platform for clarifying it. Kindly clear my doubts.

Malini

Answer: He Can't Exchange Love with a Robot

Krishna is providing us with all help to make the right choice to follow the path of love of God instead of the path of material sense gratification. He personally appears on this planet to enlighten us with transcendental wisdom. He sends great spiritual masters to guide us. And, He is fully present in the form of the Bhagavad-gita, in His holy name, and as the Supersoul within our hearts.

If we do not take advantage of all His wonderful mercy, it is our fault. Krishna will not override our free will and make us prisoners by forcing us to do what He wants us to do. If He took away our free will, we would be transformed into robots and Krishna would not be able to exchange love with us. Therefore He never interferes with our free will. He always gives the choice between loving Him and leaving Him letting us decide what we want.

Sankarshan Das Adhikari

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