So for a sanyassi, to associate with such persons is like willingly drinking poison. Not only for a sanyassi but for a devotee. (Sanskrit) One should not associate with women who are addicted to lusty desires, nor should one associate with men who are addicted to such women. That is not recommended for one who is serious about going back to Godhead. Because it is said that sex life is the chain, maithunya argara it is the chain that binds us in the prison of material existence. “But it is natural, it is natural what can we say? You cannot be artificial. It is something, one of the natural inclinations of the body. Just like hunger and thirst. And it is also not only that... it's like a means to express affection and love. And one must also make a distinction between the gross just lusty activities which for example are going on in the red light district of Amsterdam and the exchanges in a loving
relationship.” Well that is also a fact. And a distinction is made and therefore Krishna says “Yes, Husband and Wife.” Then there is different thing (Sanskrit). But even in the Vedic culture of husband and wife would together go for spiritual life ........nowadays that's also not there. Spiritual life if it is at all there is something symbolic, and for most it is something in the background. It is not a very prominent thing. But in Vedic culture spiritual life was in the foreground. It was an important element in life. Prominent and should be. Therefore (Sanskrit).. sex life within religious principles within marriage .........for it was that at one point they would say: and now we perform a (Sanskrit) ritual, and then we'll purify ourselves, and then we'll try and receive a child. So in this way - Vedic Culture.
For all - it is not beneficial to associate with people who are in the grip of lust. At least not intimately. If one becomes very friendly with mundane people then after some time we also become mundane.
(HH KKS 31/07/2005)
