Beauty of Sensuality vs. Beauty of Spirituality filled with Bhakti

In Bharat Desh (India), a wise and very beautiful young girl named Kavita lived in a small village. Ravi, a Brahmacari monk, had dedicated his life to spiritual pursuits but struggled to grasp the true nature of physical beauty and started meditating on her bodily form.

The Unexpected Lesson

Ravi was pursuing Kavita for her physical beauty. One day, Kavita sensing his confusion, presented him with a challenge and asked him to come back in seven days.

"Ravi, if you wish to comprehend the fleeting nature of physical beauty, observe this pot."

Kavita revealed a pot containing her bodily vomit, stool and urine, collected over seven days. Ravi recoiled, covering his nose.

"What do you see, Ravi?" Kavita asked.

"I see the putrid remnants of your physical form," he replied.

"Exactly," Kavita said. "This pot represents the impermanence of physical beauty. Our bodies, once temples, now contain waste. Yet, our souls remain untouched, pure and eternal."

Ravi's eyes widened in understanding.

The Wisdom

Kavita continued, "Physical beauty is fleeting, subject to decay and impermanence. True beauty lies within, in the soul that animates our bodies. Focus on cultivating inner virtues, compassion and wisdom, for these are the qualities that transcend mortal bounds. The soul is a servant of Krishna. Seve Bhagavan Krishna in your monastery or temple and stop thinking about sex"

The Transformation

Ravi's perspective shifted profoundly. He realized that his spiritual pursuits had overlooked the importance of inner beauty. Kavita's wisdom had illuminated the path. Ravi bowed his head, "Kavita, your wisdom has freed me from my misconceptions. I am forever grateful."

The story of Kavita and Ravi teaches us that:

• Physical beauty is transient and ephemeral.
• True beauty resides in the soul, untouched by external changes.
• Wisdom and inner virtues are the keys to lasting beauty.

May this parable guide us toward embracing the eternal beauty within.

Inner beauty versus outer appearance:

1. "The Mirror of Truth" - A vain woman encounters a magical mirror that shows her true inner self rather than her physical appearance. She's initially shocked but learns to cultivate her character and kindness.
2. "The Painter's Lesson" - An artist known for painting beautiful portraits meets a wise teacher who challenges him to capture the essence of a person's soul in his work, leading to a profound shift in perspective.
3. "The Fading Flower" - A story comparing a person's lifespan to that of a flower, emphasizing the fleeting nature of physical beauty and the enduring quality of good deeds and wisdom.

Beauty of Sensuality:

For women, embracing sensuality can be a form of empowerment and self-acceptance. It involves feeling pleasure in one's body. For men attraction to women due to bodily curves and softness is sensuality. Sensuality can initially make life more enjoyable, making everything seem brighter and more beautiful. Eventually it leads to distress.

Purpose of sex in Vedic times:

• Primarily for procreation within marriage. The wife is seen as a companion for executing dharma (duty), not just for sexual enjoyment.

Balance of goals:

• Kama (pleasure, including sexual) was one of the four aims of life (purusarthas), along with dharma, artha, and moksha. The ideal was to balance these goals rather than completely renounce sexuality.

Gender differences:

• Srimad Bhagavatham states that women have "eight times more kama" than men, which is kept in control by Bhakti

Beauty of Spirituality filled with Bhakti:

1. Bhakti, or devotional spirituality, focuses on love and devotion to the Divine. It engages the heart and soul rather than primarily the physical senses.
2. The beauty of bhakti lies in the deep emotional connection with the Divine, often described as more fulfilling than sensual pleasures.
3. Spiritual beauty in bhakti tradition is often associated with inner qualities like compassion, selflessness, and pure love, rather than external appearances.
4. Bhakti can provide a sense of transcendence and connection to something greater than oneself, offering a different kind of beauty that goes beyond the physical world.
5. The Bhagavad Gita and other spiritual texts often describe the beauty of the Divine (e.g., Krishna's form) in sensual terms, but this sensuality is meant to evoke spiritual longing rather than physical desire.

Comparison and Integration:

1. Both sensuality and spirituality can lead to heightened states of awareness and appreciation of beauty, but they operate on different levels - physical vs. spiritual.
2. While sensuality focuses on the present moment and physical experiences, bhakti spirituality often aims for eternal, transcendent experiences.
3. Some spiritual traditions, including certain forms of bhakti, incorporate sensual elements (like beautiful temple decorations, fragrant incense, melodious music) to engage the senses in service of Supreme Personality of Godhead.
4. Both can contribute to a fuller, richer life experience. Some individuals might find ways to integrate both, using sensual appreciation as a gateway to deeper spiritual connection, or seeing the Divine beauty in sensual experiences.
5. The key difference lies in the ultimate object of attention - in sensuality, it's often the self or other people/things, while in bhakti, it's the Divine.

Key aspects of Srila Prabhupada's views on sex:

• Illicit sex is discouraged: He considered illicit sex to be a major obstacle to spiritual growth and encouraged his followers to abstain from it 2.
• Sex within marriage is acceptable: However, he did not prohibit sex entirely, allowing it within the confines of marriage and for the purpose of having children.
• Early marriage is preferred: Prabhupada believed that early marriage helped prevent promiscuity and ensured a stable family life.
• Spiritual focus over physical desires: He emphasized the importance of controlling one's physical desires and focusing on spiritual development.

Conclusion:

Vedic culture seems to have had a more open and integrated view of sexuality compared to later Hindu traditions, seeing it as a natural part of life that could be incorporated into spiritual practice when approached with the right mindset and purpose. Srila Prabhupada's views on sex were guided by traditional Vedic Indian values and his interpretation of Hindu scriptures. While his stance may seem conservative by modern standards, it reflects his commitment to spiritual growth and self-control.