Lust is a feeling of intense sexual desire in the body. Sex and reproduction are essential for survival of life on earth and sex is a natural part of our bodies. Sex is a natural expression of love between two people. When there is an expression of love between a man and woman with respect and reverence within the relationship, sex acquires a unique beauty and a divine sanctity. Sexual expression within a relationship is good and should be encouraged as it increases love and brings about closeness and unity between the partners. Lust on the other hand is uncontrolled sexual appetite. It has strong overtones of illicit urges. It is an inordinate craving for sexual pleasure. We usually use the term lust when it is a strong physical attraction and it has nothing to do with love or respect for the partner. Lust depends on physical attraction and is short lived. Our body and beauty are subject to ravages of illness, age and time. Should we really go after something that is so short lived? Let us see this story of the courtesan and the monk:
Once there lived a courtesan of great beauty. She was good hearted and would willingly give alms and excellent food to the monks who came to her home. One day, one of the monks who came to her home for alms spoke about how beautiful she was. A young monk who heard this remark felt desire for the courtesan. He spent the night in great lust and next morning joined the group of monks who went to her home for alms. The courtesan was ill that day but she came out carried by her servants in order to ensure that she personally offered food and alms to the monks. When the young monk saw her enchanting beauty though she was sick, he developed even more intense lust for her. By evening her sickness worsened and by morning she was dead. When Buddha came to know about her death, he advised that she should not be buried for a few days, after which time he would take his monks to see her before her final rites.
The young monk was not aware of the death of the courtesan. When he heard that all the monks were going with Buddha to see her, his lust rose to heights. By the time, Buddha and the monks reached the cemetery, the desirable body of the beautiful courtesan had transformed into an ugly sight. Her body was bloated and rotting. Foul matter was oozing from every orifice of her body. Buddha then announced that the courtesan was going to be auctioned off. Anyone who was willing to pay a thousand pieces of gold could spend the night in bed with her.
Of course, no one was willingly to pay that amount or any amount to be with the courtesan. In the end, no one was ready to take her even for free. Then Buddha told his monks: When the courtesan was alive, many were ready to give all the money they had to spend one night in her embrace. But now no one is ready to take her even for free. This body is subject to old age and decay. What is the value of beauty and lust? The young monk heard the words of Buddha and realized the true nature of life and lust and strove to free himself of sensual desire.
Lust is definitely one of the gateways to hell. We cause suffering to ourselves and our partner as the relationship is purely sexual, short-lived and there is no sharing or respect or love involved in it. When we fail to overcome illicit, lustful desires we bring ruin on ourselves. Understanding the true nature of the human body and beauty – that it is subject to deterioration and decay can help us to overcome lust. Keeping satsang or good company, regular japa of SitaRam Mantra and meditation and following the teachings of the Guru help us to overcome lust. We reach a state of development where we see Divinity manifested in all and when we look at other women/men, we see the Divine Mother/Father.
