Caitanya warns about material association

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One should never think that his mind is trained and that he can do whatever

he likes:

 

Sri Caitanya-caritamrita Madhya-lila 11.10

 

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "Although it is correct that the King is a

great devotee, he is still to be considered a venomous snake. Similarly,

even though a woman be made of wood, one becomes agitated simply by touching

her form.

 

PURPORT

Sri Canakya Pandita has stated in his moral instructions: tyaja durjana-

samsargam bhaja sadhu-samagamam. This means that one has to abandon

the association of materialistic people and associate with spiritually

advanced people. However qualified a materialist may be, he is no better

than a venomous serpent. Everyone knows that a snake is dangerous and

poisonous, and when its hood is decorated with jewels, it is no less

poisonous or dangerous. However qualified a materialist may be, he is no

better than a snake decorated with jewels. One should therefore be careful

in dealing with such materialists, just as one would be careful in dealing

with a bejeweled serpent.

Even though a woman be made of wood or stone, she becomes attractive

when decorated. One becomes sexually agitated even by touching the form.

Therefore one should not trust his mind, which is so fickle that it can give

way to enemies at any moment. The mind is always accompanied by six

enemies-namely, kama, krodha, mada, moha, matsarya and bhaya-that is,

lust, anger, intoxication, illusion, envy and fear. Although the mind may be

merged in spiritual consciousness, one should always be very careful in

dealing with it, just as one is careful in dealing with a snake. One should

never think that his mind is trained and that he can do whatever he likes.

One interested in spiritual life should always engage his mind in the

service of the Lord so that the enemies of the mind, who always accompany

the mind, will be subdued. If the mind is not engaged in Krishna

consciousness at every moment, there is a chance that it will give way to

its enemies. In this way we become victims of the mind.

Chanting the Hare Krishna mantra engages the mind at the lotus feet of

Krishna constantly; thus the mind’s enemies do not have a chance to strike.

Following Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s example in these verses, we should be

very careful in dealing with the mind, which should not be indulged in any

circumstance. Once we indulge the mind, it can create havoc in this life,

even though we may be spiritually advanced. The mind is specifically

agitated through the association of materialistic men and women. Therefore

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, through His personal behavior, warns everyone to

avoid meeting a materialistic person or a woman.