Dissatisfaction in Whimsical Actions

(written June 16, 2018)

yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya

vartate kāma-kārataḥ

na sa siddhim avāpnoti

na sukhaṁ na parāṁ gatim

A person who knows what they are about to do is wrong, yet does it, acts whimsically. Acting whimsically is basically acting out of lust and greed. Whimsical actions cannot lead to to happiness, perfection, or the supreme destination. In fact, they lead to degradation! “The human life is especially meant for purifying one’s existence, and one who does not follow the rules and regulations cannot purify himself, nor can he attain the real stage of happiness.” (Srila Prabhupada 16.23). For one to reach happiness, they need to quit acting whimsically, and follow the rules. There is a saying, “Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity” (M.L.K.). This means that knowledge not used, is poisonous. So, in order for one to reach the supreme destination, they must follow the rules and regulations and raise themselves to Krishna consciousness and constant unalloyed devotional service. To do this, one must stop acting out of whims. When one acts whimsically, they allow lust and greed to take over their consciousness and body. To stop acting whimsically, one must first get into the mode of goodness. The rules and regulations are clearly laid out by the shastras according to one’s varnashrama dharma. One must follow the varnashrama dharma to fall into the mode of goodness and in turn, lose all whimsical ideas. Doing this will allow one to reach the supreme destination.