Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Antya 2.144
Respect Rather Than Sense Gratification
“After all the devotees saw this example, a mentality of fear grew among them. Therefore they all stopped talking with women, even in dreams.”
What the purport teaches
- Seeing this example, the devotees became fearful of deviation. The translation describes them as stopping conversation with women even in dreams.
- The purport specifically prohibits talking with women for the purpose of subtle or gross sense gratification.
- Cāṇakya Paṇḍita teaches that one should consider another’s wife one’s mother. The purport presents this respectful outlook as a principle for everyone, not only renunciants.
Try this today
Before one conversation today, pause and set the intention to treat the other person respectfully, without seeking sensual gratification.
Ask yourself
Are my interactions guided by respect, or by a wish for personal gratification?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.