A Desire that is Always Satisfied

(written on January 25, 2020)

(references: BG 1.32-35 )

The translation of BG 1.32-35 states: “O Govinda, of what avail to us are a kingdom, happiness or even life itself when all those for whom we may desire them are now arrayed on this battlefield?” In this part of the translation, Arjuna is telling Krishna that he doesn’t want to fight for the kingdom because the entire reason why he wants the kingdom is to be happy with the rest of his relatives who are all fighting on the battlefield. Next, Arjuna says, “O Madhusūdana, when teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law and other relatives are ready to give up their lives and properties and are standing before me, why should I wish to kill them, even though they might otherwise kill me?” Here Arjuna is saying that he doesn’t want to fight because all of the people he will fight against are his relatives and his close relations. Then Arjuna says, “O maintainer of all living entities, I am not prepared to fight with them even in exchange for the three worlds, let alone this earth. What pleasure will we derive from killing the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra?” So here, Arjuna exhibits bravado by making a bold statement saying that even for exchange of the three worlds, he would not prefer to fight this war against his relatives. He asks Krishna, what will I gain by fighting the war?

Srila Prabhupada explains in the purport how Arjuna intentionally calls Krishna by the name of Govinda: “Arjuna has addressed Lord Kṛṣṇa as Govinda because Kṛṣṇa is the object of all pleasures for cows and the senses. By using this significant word, Arjuna indicates that Kṛṣṇa should understand what will satisfy Arjuna’s senses. But Govinda is not meant for satisfying our senses.” So here, Arjuna is having a misconception that Krishna will satisfy his desires. However, Srila Prabhupada clearly states that “the Lord will satisfy the senses of the living entities as much as they deserve, but not to the extent that they may covet.” This word covet means to yearn to possess or have. The problem with desires is that they are like an itch. You keep scratching but it keeps on getting itchier. To make sure that we do not continue to become overcome by lust, Krishna fulfills our desires as we deserve.

However, if our desire is to serve Krishna without any desire to satisfy our own senses, then by the grace of the Lord, all of the desires of the living entity are satisfied. Krishna may not satisfy any desire based on whether a devotee deserves it or not, however he will always make sure to fulfill all desires when the sincere desire of the devotee is to serve Him and nothing else. This is the desire which Krishna will always satisfy.