Bhaktivedanta VedaBase: Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 7.9.45

yan maithunādi-grihamedhi-sukham hi tuccham

kandūyanena karayor iva duhkha-duhkham

tripyanti neha kripanā bahu-duhkha-bhājah

kandūtivan manasijam vishaheta dhīrah

SYNONYMS

yat — that which (is meant for material sense gratification); maithuna-ādi — represented by talking of sex, reading sexual literature or enjoying sex life (at home or outside, as in a club); grihamedhi-sukham — all types of material happiness based on attachment to family, society, friendship, etc.; hi — indeed; tuccham — insignificant; kandūyanena — with the itching; karayoh — of the two hands (to relieve the itching); iva — like; duhkha-duhkham — different types of unhappiness (into which one is put after such itching sense gratification); tripyanti — become satisfied; na — never; iha — in material sense gratification; kripanāh — the foolish persons; bahu-duhkha-bhājah — subjected to various types of material unhappiness; kandūti-vat — if one can learn from such itching; manasi-jam — which is simply a mental concoction (actually there is no happiness); vishaheta — and tolerates (such itching); dhīrah — (he can become) a most perfect, sober person.

TRANSLATION

Sex life is compared to the rubbing of two hands to relieve an itch. Grihamedhis, so-called grihasthas who have no spiritual knowledge, think that this itching is the greatest platform of happiness, although actually it is a source of distress. The kripanas, the fools who are just the opposite of brāhmanas, are not satisfied by repeated sensuous enjoyment. Those who are dhīra, however, who are sober and who tolerate this itching, are not subjected to the sufferings of fools and rascals.

PURPORT

Materialists think that sexual indulgence is the greatest happiness in this material world, and therefore they make elaborate plans to satisfy their senses, especially the genitals. This is generally found everywhere, and specifically found in the Western world, where there are regular arrangements to satisfy sex life in different ways. Actually, however, this has not made anyone happy. Even the hippies, who have given up all the materialistic comforts of their fathers and grandfathers, cannot give up the sensational happiness of sex life. Such persons are described here as kripanas, misers. The human form of life is a great asset, for in this life one can fulfill the goal of existence. Unfortunately, however, because of a lack of education and culture, people are victimized by the false happiness of sex life. Prahlāda Mahārāja therefore advises one not to be misled by this civilization of sense gratification, and especially not by sex life. Rather, one should be sober, avoid sense gratification and be Krishna conscious. The lusty person, who is compared to a foolish miser, never gets happiness by sense gratification. The influence of material nature is very difficult to surpass, but as stated by Krishna in Bhagavad-gītā (7.14), mām eva ye prapadyante, māyām etām taranti te: if one voluntarily submits to the lotus feet of Krishna, he can be saved very easily.

In reference to the low-grade happiness of sex life, Yāmunācārya says in this connection:

yadāvadhi mama cetah krishna-padāravinde

nava-nava-rasa-dhāmanudyata rantum āsīt

tadāvadhi bata nārī-sańgame smaryamāne

bhavati mukha-vikārah sushtu nishthīvanam ca

"Since I have been engaged in the transcendental loving service of Krishna, realizing ever-new pleasure in Him, whenever I think of sex pleasure, I spit at the thought, and my lips curl with distaste." Yāmunācārya had formerly been a great king who enjoyed sexual happiness in various ways, but since he later engaged himself in the service of the Lord, he enjoyed spiritual bliss and hated to think of sex life. If sexual thoughts came to him, he would spit with disgust.

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His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness