Curing the Fever of Material Existence
The living entity who is indifferent to the Supreme Lord is so tightly bound by maya, the illusory energy, that he can never free himself. Therefore, Sri Bhagavan has said (Bhagavad-gita 7.14):
Only by surrendering unto the Supreme Lord one can remain aloof from maya, which blinds one with the passion for sense enjoyment. Clouded by maya, the living entity becomes so influenced by the modes of material nature that he considers sense gratification to be the most desirable goal, even though it brings him only distress. He is unable to find any happiness despite his pains:
The living entity considers the mere absence of distress to be bliss. Real happiness cannot be found in this material world, as it does not lie in sense gratification.
Srimad-Bhagavatam (9.4.20) states, kamam ca dasye na tu kama-kamyaya Maharaja Ambarisha desired only to serve the Supreme Lord, without any self-interest. One should similarly aspire to be the eternal servant of Sri Krishna, without using this position as a means to satisfy ones material ends. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura writes:
I am indeed Yours, and You are truly mine. What need is there of any other treasure?
Unless we attain such a realization, we remain intoxicated by the desire to enjoy the objects of the senses, a condition that is extremely difficult to cure. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says:
I pray that I may develop as much attachment for Your auspicious feet as I now have for worldly affairs.
If by good fortune we develop as much attachment for the Supreme Lord as we now have for the objects of the senses, our desire for sense enjoyment will be eradicated and we will cross the ocean of birth and death. Our state of bondage has existed since a time without beginning, and is quite impossible for human intelligence to undo. It can be unraveled only by associating with sadhus, realised souls:
The verdict of all revealed scriptures is that even a Moment’s association with sadhu can award all perfection.
Although such sadhus are our greatest well wishers, we prefer to keep our distance from them, let alone actually associate with them. We know that their association will subdue our desire for sense enjoyment, making it impossible for us to enjoy the objects of the senses.