Asserted Topics:
Gold and women are highly binding.
Key Points:
- Gold and women can break the fortitude of even the most resolute person.
- Only one who has a firm desire to become a true servant of Paramatma can be freed from the bondage of these two.
Explanation:
In this Vachanamrut, Maharaj says that the Shrimad Bhagwat and other holy scriptures are the truth. Whatever is stated in these scriptures occurs exactly as described; there is no deviation from it. For example, if an eclipse is predicted at a certain time, it happens precisely at that time, without any error. In the same way, the scriptures mention that Kali (the evil age) resides in gold:
अभ्यर्थितस्तदा तस्मै स्थानानि कलये ददौ ।
द्यूतं पानं स्त्रियः सूना यत्राधर्मश्चतुर्विधः ।।
Abhyarthitastadā tasmāi sthānāni kalaye dadau;
Dyūtam pānam striyah sūnā yatrādharmaśchaturvidhah.
(Shrimad Bhagwat 1.17.38)
पुनश्च याचमानाय जातरूपमदात् प्रभुः ।
Punashcha yāchamānāya jātarūpamadāt prabhuh.
(Shrimad Bhagwat 1.17.39)
Therefore, Maharaj says that He Himself dislikes even the sight of gold. Maharaj adds that only those who truly believe in the scriptures will experience this understanding, and once they attain it, they hold firm to it. The scriptures are the primary introduction to Paramatma. Just as gold is binding, so is beauty. For example, when a beautiful woman enters an assembly, no matter how resolute a person is, even if his soul is devoted to Paramatma, his gaze will inevitably be drawn to her beauty. Thus, both gold and women are highly binding. Gold (dhan) is extremely useful in worldly affairs, but it generates greed in the heart, leading to bondage. Similarly, the desire for sensual pleasure arises from women, trapping one in the snare of attachment, which also creates bondage. Hence, both gold and women are highly binding.Maharaj says that one can avoid the bondage of these two only when he considers himself to be Brahmrup (one with Brahm, Free from attributes of Maya) and performs the pure worship of Paramatma. He must develop deep vairagya (detachment) towards the Prakruti and its creations, viewing them as entirely insignificant. By cultivating a firm disdain for them and staying away from their association, one can be free from their bondage; otherwise, bondage is inevitable.