51. Longing for Sense-Objects

Krishna says, “Sense-objects fall away from the abstinent person, but not ras (longing) and longing ceases only when one realises the supreme” (2.59). Indriyas have a physical instrument and a controller. The mind is the combination of controllers of all sense organs. Krishna advises us to focus on the controller part which sustains the longing.

Krishna uses the word ‘ras’ whose literal meaning is juice. When a ripened fruit is cut, ‘ras’ is not visible unless it is squeezed. The same is the case with butter in milk. ‘Ras’ is the intrinsic longing that exists in indriyas.

At an ignorant level, indriyas are attached to the sense-objects and keep swinging between polarities of pain and pleasure. In the next stage, the sense-objects get detached due to external circumstances, but the longing remains. For example, on a doctor’s advice we may stop eating sweets or consume alcohol, but the longing for sweets or alcohol remains. External circumstances may include morality, fear of God or law, loss of reputation, lack of resources, ageing, conditioning etc. Krishna is indicating the ultimate stage where longing itself goes.

Krishna gives a practical tip in Srimad Bhagavatam (11:20:21) where he compares indriyas with horses which are brought under control by a trainer. He runs along with them for some time to observe their traits. When he fully understands them, he starts riding them as per his wishes.

Two issues to be noted here are that the trainer can’t control horses in one go as they will overpower him. Similarly, we can’t just start controlling indriyas, till we understand their ways of functioning. Once we are aware of them, we can bring them under control. Secondly, we need to be in a state of constant awareness that we need to control indriyas, even when we are under their influence.

Awareness and longing can’t co-exist. Longing thrives only in ignorance. It can’t grip us when we are aware of it.