viṣhayā vinivartante nirāhārasya dehinaḥ
rasa-varjaṁ raso ’pyasya paraṁ dṛiṣhṭvā nivartate
viṣhayāḥ — objects for senses;
vinivartante — restrain;
nirāhārasya — practicing self restraint;
dehinaḥ — for the embodied;
rasa-varjam — cessation of taste;
rasaḥ — taste;
api — however;
asya — person’s;
param — the Supreme;
dṛiṣhṭvā — on realization;
nivartate — ceases to be
This verse focuses on the idea of controlling our desires and the challenges that come with it. Think about how often we feel the urge to enjoy things through our senses—this could be eating delicious food, listening to music, or shopping for things we want. While we may try to hold back from indulging in these pleasures, the desire for them doesn't just disappear. It's like being told you can't have your favorite dessert when you're trying to stick to a diet; even if you’re not eating it, you still crave it.
The verse suggests that merely telling someone to stop enjoying these sense pleasures isn’t enough. For most people, it feels impossible to completely give up things that give them joy or pleasure. You can think of it as trying to restrict a sick person from eating certain foods they enjoy. They may not want to give it up, despite knowing it might be better for their health.
However, the verse hints at a deeper solution. It talks about 'experiencing a higher taste.' This means that instead of just focusing on what we can't have, we should seek out better or higher experiences that satisfy us on a deeper level. For example, if someone loves food, instead of just craving unhealthy snacks, they might discover a joy in cooking healthy meals that taste amazing, or perhaps they find joy in the community surrounding a healthy lifestyle.
In the same way, in spiritual terms, when people grow in their understanding of spirituality, particularly through something like Krsna consciousness (which is about loving and understanding God), they find that their cravings for material things start to fade away. It’s not that they’re forced to stop wanting them; rather, they genuinely lose interest once they see or feel something more beautiful or fulfilling. It’s akin to how children may lose interest in toys when they discover the joy of playing outside or engaging in creative activities.
Overall, the message here is that self-control and restraint are important, but they can be more effective and meaningful when one has discovered a deeper understanding or a higher level of joy. This is particularly valuable for people starting their journey in spirituality, as they learn what really matters and what can bring them true happiness. Instead of only focusing on what they can't do, they should aim to enjoy more fulfilling experiences that lead to a more satisfying life.