Bhaj Govindam
Scenario:
It is very essential to remember who this is being addressed to. Shankracharyaji is addressing the seekers/Sadhak, who are on the path of Self-Realisation/God-Realisation. (I chose to believe we all are journeying towards the self.)
As we all know Sanatan Dharma says that Human Birth is very precious and it can help us cross the ocean of mundane existence, free us from the cycle of birth and death.
To be able to make this leap, the Vedas say - Manur Bhav - Manusya tu Manusya Banja. Simply put, ‘it is a journey between Human being and being Human’.
The words used in Bhaj Govindam are not sugar quoted and again they mean exactly what they say, hard hitting as they might be, it is best to take them the way they are intended by the Great Guru.
Verse 3
naariistanabhara naabhiidesham
drishhtvaa maagaamohaavesham
etanmaamsaavasaadi vikaaram
manasi vichintaya vaaram vaaram
The third verse said to me - Sruti says🌷
Oh fool, stop lusting over her body, this is the cause of all delusion-Maya.
Beyond the covering of a thin layer of skin, it is nothing but flesh and filth.
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Just like Love and Attachment are not interchangeable. So too, Lust and Love are not the same. Attachment and lust are selfish, meant to satisfy sensual desires, where as Love is divine, pure and selfless, it just is.
At a superficial level, it is telling us that one should not be compulsively attracted to the opposite gender. Shristi has been created and it needs to be sustained. Agreed, but an act of procreation has been made recreational, which is being condemned here.
Sadhak, even if he is a Grihasth has to be vary of being swayed to the pleasure of the sense and be in discipline and decorum. Two people come together in life not for Bhog, but for yog. Most of our greatest Sages have been Grihastas. It was never felt that path of salvation was unattainable by a Grihasta.
At a deeper level, it is indicating that one should change ones vision and see everyone as the divine and not as a body. Deha-buddhi is that which causes, such misplaced emotions. When we see each other as the supreme energy, deep respect is born.
However, it is easier said than done. It is true that the strongest weapon of maya are Kancan and Kamini - Wealth(verse2) and Lust(verse 3). To get over the desire for both is a herculean task. In the next verse, the solution to overcome the pull is also given.
Darkness can be overcome by light. So too, true knowledge of this perishable body, a piece of flesh and filth, which is not kept a minute after the underly energy departs, is not worth lusting for.
Our shastras never emphasis on suppression, they emphasis on reasoning and sublimation.
Suppression - Fighting the negative head on.
Sublimation - Focusing on the truth and divine, letting the vice thin automatically.
To explain further in Swami Shivandji's words :
"Suppression of urge is not eradication. You can never be free of that which is suppressed. The suppressed desire will attack you again and again and will produce irritability and restlessness of mind. It will again manifest with redoubled force when a suitable opportunity arises, when the will becomes weak.
The mind should be rendered pure by meditation, Japa, Kirtan and prayer. If the mind is filled with sublime divine thoughts by meditation, Japa, prayer and study of holy scriptures, the desire will be devitalised or de-energised by the withdrawal of the mind. The mind also will be thinned."
To conclude would put forth a quote by Viveknandaji and a clipping by Kirit Bhaiji, which echo what Shankrachaya ji is saying;
“The same Law is applied to the married or the single. If one wastes the most potent force (Ojas Shakti) of one’s being, one can not become spiritual."
Hari Om🙏
