Material tendency
Srimad-Bhagavatam
SB Canto 4
This material tendency is mentioned in this verse as grāmya-matiḥ (sense gratification). All living entities within this material world are sensually inclined
SB 4.28.55, Purport: Actually, it is Kṛṣṇa who personally advises all living entities to return home, back to Godhead. Sometimes Kṛṣṇa sends His representative, who, delivering Kṛṣṇa’s very message, canvasses all living entities to return home, back to Godhead. Unfortunately the living entity is so greatly attached to material enjoyment that he does not take the instructions of Kṛṣṇa or His representative very seriously. This material tendency is mentioned in this verse as grāmya-matiḥ (sense gratification). The word mahīm means “within this material world.” All living entities within this material world are sensually inclined. Consequently they become entangled in different types of bodies and suffer the pangs of material existence.
SB Canto 6
The duty of a human being is to understand that since he is essentially spirit, he must abide by the spiritual tendency and not be carried away by material tendencies
SB 6.1.53, Purport: One’s original natural tendency is to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness because one’s real nature is spiritual. The duty of a human being is to understand that since he is essentially spirit, he must abide by the spiritual tendency and not be carried away by material tendencies. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has therefore sung:
- (miche) māyāra vaśe, yāccha bhese’,
- khāccha hābuḍubu, bhāi
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta
CC Adi-lila
Material tendencies as bodily intuition cannot be accepted as independent, for they suggest the existence of a spirit soul within the body
CC Adi 6.14–15, Purport: “Sometimes the material scientist suggests that trees grow from the earth automatically, without assistance from a gardener, because that is a tendency of matter. They also consider the intuition of living creatures from birth to be material. But such material tendencies as bodily intuition cannot be accepted as independent, for they suggest the existence of a spirit soul within the body. Actually, neither the tree nor any other body of a living creature has any tendency or intuition; the tendency and intuition exist because the soul is present within the body. In this connection, the example of a car and driver may be given very profitably. The car has a tendency to turn right and left, but one cannot say that the car itself, as matter, turns right and left without the direction of a driver. A material car has neither tendencies nor intuitions independent of the intentions of the driver within the car. The same principle applies for the automatic growth of trees in the forest. The growth takes place because of the soul’s presence within the tree.
Other Books by Srila Prabhupada
Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead
My dear Lord, kindly excuse me for my inevitable material tendencies. I surrender unto You. Now You can punish me or save me, as You desire
Krsna Book, Chapter 16, Subduing Kaliya: “My dear Lord,” Kāliya continued, “You are the original creator of the modes of material nature, by which the universe is created. You are the cause of the different kinds of mentality possessed by living creatures, by which they have obtained different varieties of bodies. My dear Lord, I am born as a serpent; therefore, by natural instinct I am very angry. How is it then possible to give up my acquired nature without Your mercy? It is very difficult to get out of the clutches of Your māyā. By Your māyā we remain enslaved. My dear Lord, kindly excuse me for my inevitable material tendencies. I surrender unto You. Now You can punish me or save me, as You desire.”
Correspondence
1975 Correspondence
Preaching purifies us of these material tendencies for sense gratification
Letter to Jagaddhatri, Pasupati, Sailogata, Pamela -- Dallas 30 July, 1975: Aggression for the cause of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu is pure. If you become completely absorbed in such aggression to spread Sankirtana Movement, there will be no question of wanting to lord it over in the temple. Preaching purifies us of these material tendencies for sense gratification. It is simply a matter of time that you will see this. Do not worry. Krishna will help you.
I hope this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta SwamiPage Title: | Material tendency |
Compiler: | Visnu Murti |
Created: | 10 of Jan, 2008 |
No. of Quotes: | 5 |
Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=2, CC=1, OB=1, Lec=0, Con=0, Let=1 |