and aversions related to the senses and sensory objects. Since they are like obstacles in the process of self-realization, a person should not be subject to such passions and aversions.
Purport: Those who are in Krishna consciousness are not to indulge in material sense gratification.
Naturally, they are averse. But those who do not have such a feeling must follow the rules of the scriptures without fail. Excessive sense enjoyment leads to physical bondage, but one who follows the rules of the scriptures is not bound by sense objects. For example, sexual intercourse is a necessity for a conditioned soul. It is permitted with the permission of marriage. According to the injunctions of the scriptures, a man is forbidden to have sexual intercourse with any woman other than his wife. He should consider all other women as equal to his mother. But despite such injunctions, a man still shows a desire to have sexual intercourse with other women. These desires must be suppressed; otherwise they become obstacles on the path of self-realization. As long as the physical body exists, bodily needs are permitted along with the rules. However, we should not depend on the control of such permits. A man should follow those rules with detachment. Because even enjoying sense gratification with rules leads him astray. There is always a possibility of danger even on the royal roads. Isn’t it! No one can guarantee that there will be no danger on the safe road even if the royal roads are well maintained. Sense gratification has been going on for a long time due to material association. That is why even in the presence of orderly sense gratification there is a possibility of downfall. Therefore, interest in orderly sense gratification should be given up in all ways. But interest in Krishna consciousness, that is, working in the festival of love, makes one disinterested in all kinds of sense gratification. Therefore, no one should try to become disinterested in Krishna consciousness in any state of life. Ultimately, to be situated in the state of Krishna consciousness is the ultimate goal of liberation from all kinds of sense
Śreyan – very good; svadharmaḥ – self-responsible; vigunah – even with faults; paradharmaḥ – more than the restitutions given to others; svanushthitaḥ – perfectly done; svadharmaḥ – among one’s own restitutions; nidhanam – destruction; Śreyaḥ – good; paradharmaḥ – restitution given to others; bhayavahaḥ – dangerous.
It is better to fulfill one’s own duties, even if imperfectly, than to perform someone else’s duties perfectly. It is better to perish in the performance of one’s own duties than to be established in the duties of others. Because following the path of others is dangerous.
We should be grateful. Even now, the desire for pleasure is complete, even in the state of completeness, all desires are fulfilled.
PURPORT: Therefore, one must perform one’s own duties in complete Krishna consciousness, not the duties prescribed for others. The duties prescribed by the guru for the divine service of Lord Krishna are those that are prescribed by the guru, and whether they are physical or spiritual, one should adhere to one’s own duties even until death, and should not imitate the duties of others. Although the duties in the spiritual state and the duties in the material state are different, the rule of following the standard instructions is always good for the doer. When one is under the influence of the modes of nature, one must follow the rules prescribed for his particular state; he should not imitate others. For example, a brahmin in the mode of goodness is a non-violent person. On the other hand, a kshatriya in the mode of passion is permitted to be violent. It is better for such a kshatriya to perish by following the rules of violence than to imitate a brahmin who follows the rules of non-violence. Everyone should purify his heart systematically, not suddenly. However, when a person transcends the modes of nature and is fully situated in Krishna consciousness, he can do anything, anything, under the direction of the bona fide guru. In such a perfect state of Krishna consciousness, a kshatriya can function as a brahmin or a brahmin can function as a kshatriya. In the transcendental state, the distinctions of the material world do not at all apply. For example, Visvamitra was first a kshatriya, but later
