Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 19.176
Desires That Obstruct Devotional Bliss
“ ‘The material desire to enjoy the material world and the desire to become liberated from material bondage are considered to be two witches, and they haunt one like ghosts. As long as these witches remain within the heart, how can one feel transcendental bliss? As long as these two witches remain in the heart, there is no possibility of enjoying the transcendental bliss of devotional service.’
What the purport teaches
- The desire to enjoy the material world and the desire for liberation from material bondage are compared to two witches.
- These desires haunt a person like ghosts while they remain within the heart.
- As long as they remain, one cannot experience the transcendental bliss of devotional service.
Try this today
Notice one desire for material enjoyment or liberation today, and turn your attention instead to serving the Lord.
Ask yourself
Which of these two desires do I notice influencing my approach to devotional service?
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.