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> This is not to dismiss the austerities of saffron-clad renunciates, but it

> is a reminder that along with one's endeavor to intelligently say no to

> marriage and depend on the guru's mercy, one cannot forget that everyone

> is forced to act according to the modes that one has inherited from the

> three modes of material nature. In other words, if one is currently a

> brahmacari or a sannyasi, there is a very good chance that one is so

> situated in (large) part because it is one's nature.

 

One's nature which is influenced by the three modes of material nature is

secondary to the intensity of the devotional service of the renunciant. If

he is relishing chanting and hearing or is getting taste in doing it, the

lower natures will become distasteful and he may end up remaining

successfully in the renounced order even though he does'nt have a 'nature'

to remain as a brahmchari and sannyasi. We this in the example of Shrila

Bilvamanagal Thakura which is a pastime for our benefit because he was an

eternal associate of the Lord.

 

Normally those in the renounced order who want to marry justify their step

saying it was not their 'nature' anyway. But rather they should accept that

actually there was something wrong with their sadhana-bhakti process as they

were not getting enough taste so they had to decided to marry.

 

Devotional service is very powerful and transcendental and to the extent

one's devotional is not mixed with the gunas, it helps one to overcome the

gunas or our lower nature. This has to be understood. If the 'nature'

overcomes us that means our devotional service is very weak and one should

urgently find out ways and means to intensify one's devotional service.

 

Morning Walk, May 14, 1975, Perth:

 

Devotee (1): Srila Prabhupada, how can the position be reconciled if in

Krsna consciousness one of the two, the husband or the wife, wants to enjoy

sense gratification, but the other does not? Should there be separation

then?

 

Prabhupada: No... They should be trained up. Sense enjoyment means not

advanced in Krsna consciousness. As soon as one is advancing in Krsna

consciousness, his sense enjoyment spirit will be reduced. That is the test.

Bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra ca [sB 11.2.42]. The test is, how you

are advancing in Krsna consciousness is the proportionate diminishing of

sense enjoyment. That is the test. Just like cure of the disease means

diminishing the fever, temperature. This is the test.

 

Devotee (1): What if that fever is not being diminished?

 

Prabhupada: Then he should try to chant Hare Krsna mantra, instead of

sixteen rounds, sixty-four rounds. That is the way. Sixteen round is the

minimum. Otherwise Haridasa Thakura was 300,000. So you have to increase.

That is the only remedy. If one has got determination, he will make progress

without any trouble. That determination is very difficult, that

determination, "I must be Krsna conscious fully." That determination.

Drdha-vratah.

 

Daso'smi, Bhaktiratna Sadhu Swami