intoxication destroys austerity

[Guest guest]

Hare Krsna devotees.

 

This is a humble attempt to answer the question asked by Robin Prabhu.

 

>>How does intoxication destroy austerity?

 

Ys

Bh.Robin

 

 

Austerity means the voluntary acceptance of hardships in order to

achieve something. In Krsna Consciousness, we take austerities, in

order to try to control our senses, which are always attracted by the

temporary material opulence.

 

Intoxication means too much of something which goes beyond control.

Intoxication causes us to lose the power of distinguishing the right

from wrong. It causes addiction to the intoxicant we consume like

alcohol, tobacco, opium, tea, coffee etc. We feel like taking more and

more of it. So even if we want to do something good, like become a good

servant of Krsna, because of being bound by intoxication habits and our

addiction, we are unable to do it. Even if we have done something good

before, we lose all the pious credits accumulated, as a consequence of

our intoxication habits.

 

Thus intoxication prevents us from taking austerities and also destroys

austerity. When we want to take austerities for the Lord we have to

give up intoxication because it binds the senses and does not help us

to control them. However, if we are in the association of

devotees/vaishnavas, we can give up intoxication and take up nice

austerities for Krsna like fasting for ekadasi, preaching, physical

service etc.

 

It is also mentioned in the Srimad Bhagavatam that drinking alcohol is

a sin and such a person is subjected to punishment in the hells of

Yamaraja. Hot molten iron is poured down the throat of such a person to

drink as a consequence of the sin committed.

 

Hope this was of some help to your question, prabhu.

 

Hare Krsna.

 

servant of the servant,

radha rati devi dasi.

[Guest guest]

Where does it state that intoxication will destroy austerity? The SB indicates

that intoxication destroys mercy.

 

RV

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[Guest guest]

The verses which discuss the effects of sinful activity are SB 1.17.24 and

1.17.25. In the purport to SB 1.17.25, Srila Prabhupada writes: "By pride,

either artifiical or real, the resultant action of austerity is spoiled; by too

much affection for female association [sex life], cleanliness is spoiled; by too

much addiction to intoxication, mercy is spoiled; and by too much lying

propaganda, truthfulness is spoiled."

 

Rupa-vilasa dasa

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