Desires are often thought of as enemies for
seekers because they entangle us in material things. The Bhagavad-gita (13.22)
stresses that the desire to enjoy rivets the non-material soul to matter.
For attaining liberation, the path of yoga
requires that we eliminate all desire. However, desirelessness is unnatural. We
are essentially conscious beings. And being conscious, we perceive things and
subsequently experience desires in relation with those things.
Bhakti wisdom clarifies that our
entanglement is caused not by desire per se, but by misdirected desire. The
Gita (10.41) explains that the attractiveness of all objects is a spark of
Krishna’s all-attractiveness. This implies that while those objects can give us
a spark of pleasure, whereas Krishna alone can give complete fulfillment. When
we see those objects’ attractiveness separate from Krishna’s
all-attractiveness, the resulting desires misdirect us away from him.
But Gita wisdom redirects our desires by
helping us remember that the attractiveness of those objects comes from
Krishna. As we become thus absorbed in him, the resulting spiritual fulfillment
decreases the lure of worldly enjoyment. Just as snakes become harmless when
their fangs are removed, our desires become harmless when they no longer drag
us away from Krishna.
Devotion can make our desires not only
harmless but also helpful. Just as an animal when domesticated helps its
master, so too can our desires propel us towards Krishna when we desire to know
him, love him and serve him. For example, Arjuna’s desire to hear Krishna’s
glories (10.18) enlivens and enlightens him.
Thus, spiritual growth centers on not
desirelessness, but increasing desire for Krishna. By practicing bhakti-yoga
steadily, our devotional desires to love and serve Krishna grow stronger and
bigger till they automatically overpower and oust entangling desires. Thereafter,
our defanged and domesticated desires drive us energetically and joyfully
towards the supreme liberation in Krishna.
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