Ascend to Higher Consciousness: Understanding Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 59 | Achieving Transcendence

Hare Krishna we’ll proceed on our journey with 59th verse of second chapter from the Bhagavad Gita as it is Sanskrit. Verse is as follows. Vishaya vini vartante niraha rasa de naha rasa varjam raso apayasya Paramdrishwani vartate. English translation is as follows. Though the embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, the taste for sense objects remains. But seizing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he’s fixed in consciousness. In this words, Krishna is highlighting an important and practical issue along with its solution. When we try to control our desires, the craving for pleasure is still lingers. But when we find something more fulfilling and satisfying, we naturally let go of those lesser desires and become more focused and content. In short, saying no to the negative is necessary, but we must embrace the positive. To achieve stability, peace and lasting happiness, we often mix up our strong desires with our actual needs. For example, an alcoholic might think they can’t live without alcohol, but it’s not vital for survival. True essentials are things we can’t survive without, not just what we really want. This shows the difference between feeling like something is necessary and it actually being necessary. Biological hunger is the body’s need for food, while sensual hunger is the craving for pleasure from sense objects. Just as hunger for food leaves us restless, the absence of sense objects can also make us feel incomplete. Biological hunger is necessary for survival, but sensual hunger arises from desire and is not essential for life. Trying to satisfy it with indulgence brings temporary relief followed by stronger cravings. Sensual hunger, a distorted form of our natural desire for happiness, can’t be fully satisfied or suppressed. However, redirecting it towards spiritual fulfillment brings lasting peace. The Bhagavad Gita suggests contemplating on Krishna to shift our focus towards spiritual. By fixing our attention on Krishna, we gain control over our senses, moving towards eternal spiritual fulfillment. Hari Krishna, Thank you. We’ll discuss 60th words from second chapter in the next episode.