Lust is the greatest obstacle to maintaining continuity when chanting the holy name. When our gaze, driven by desire, turns towards a woman, it becomes entangled with sensual cravings. If one indulges in such desires even once in life, the thirst for them can torment them forever. When the mind, influenced by lust, seeks fulfilment in any form, it engages in deep contemplation, and that very contemplation leads to destruction.
As Lord Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita:
Dhyāyato viṣayān puṁsaḥ saṅgas teṣūpajāyate,
saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ, kāmāt krodho’bhijāyate
When a person contemplates sense objects, attachment to them develops. From attachment arises desire, from desire comes anger. Anger leads to delusion, delusion causes loss of memory, and when memory is lost, intelligence is destroyed. With the destruction of intelligence, one falls into ruin.
Bhagavad Gita 2.62
An action is not as dangerous as the thoughts that accompany it. Once an action is performed, it ends, but thoughts continue to linger, gradually hollowing us from within. What real pleasure exists in our or a woman’s body? It is merely the illusion of God’s Maya, a deception of the intellect. This illusion takes such deep root that life seems unbearable without that man or woman.
Ending one’s life may seem easier than letting go of such an attachment. In such a state, only one path remains—if God bestows His grace, one can be saved; otherwise, death appears to be the only resolution.
The Story of Bilvamangal Thakur and Chintamani, the Prostitute
Chintamani was an exceptionally beautiful Prostitute, and Bilvamangal Thakur was completely devoted to her. Chintamani also loved him, but for a Prostitute, wealth is essential, whereas in a householder’s life, wealth has its limitations. Bilvamangal’s parents had gradually spent all their riches on him. Eventually, when they saw that their son had become deeply entangled in visiting a courtesan, they arranged his marriage to a beautiful, virtuous, and devoted woman.
However, once the mind becomes attached to something, it is difficult to detach from it. When the heart is ensnared by an illusion, it ceases to be drawn to anything else—just as a venomous insect feeds only on poison.
The Devotion of Bilvamangal Thakur’s Wife
Bilvamangal never even glanced at his wife. However, when he was in need of money, he returned home. For the first time, he looked at his wife and said, “If you wish to keep me alive, give me whatever gold or wealth you have.”
His wife, who had remained silent until then, finally spoke: “My lord, this life belongs to you.” Without hesitation, this devoted woman, who had never even had the opportunity to converse with her husband, removed all her ornaments and symbols of marital prosperity and offered them to him.
Chintamani’s Anger and Her Rejection of Bilvamangal Thakur
When Bilvamangal reached Chintamani’s house, she asked, “Where did you get these ornaments from?” He replied, “From my wife, whom I had never even looked at until today. But I cannot live without you. When I pleaded with her, she willingly gave me her jewellery.” Hearing this, Chintamani became furious and rebuked him, “Shame on you! What will you bring next after this? Get out of here!” Where there is extreme attachment, separation becomes unbearable. Her servants, seeing his desperation, forcefully pushed him out of the house.
Bilvamangal Thakur Receives Guidance from a Saint
Perhaps this was the will of God’s grace. Bilvamangal’s heart was now wounded—”Oh Chintamani! Oh, Chintamani!”—he cried out in agony, unable to bear the separation. Seeing him in this state, a saint approached and asked, “Chintamani? Who is that? Tell me the whole story.” Bilvamangal narrated his ordeal and confessed, “I cannot live without her.”
The saint replied, “There exists someone far more beautiful, someone who can grant you an even greater joy—Lord Shri Krishna. If you surrender your heart to Him, your soul will find true bliss. Otherwise, if your wounded heart remains attached to mere mortal desires, the only outcome will be destruction—there is no other path.”
The saint kept Bilvamangal with him for a year, initiated him into the Vaishnava tradition, and imparted spiritual teachings. Eventually, Bilvamangal expressed his desire to wander. A restless, pleasure-seeking mind finds it difficult to remain in one place; it constantly craves new experiences. And so, he set forth on his journey ahead.
Bilvamangal Thakur’s Recurring Struggle with Lust
On his journey, Bilvamangal came across a temple near a lake where a deity of the Lord was enshrined. Young maidens and married women from the village often came there for worship.
One such woman arrived for worship, and to Bilvamangal, she looked just like Chintamani. For a moment, he felt as if it was her. Chintamani’s image was still deeply embedded in his heart, and wherever he looked, he saw only her reflection. Coincidentally, this woman’s appearance resembled Chintamani’s, reigniting the same attachment—“Oh Chintamani! Oh, Chintamani!”
After completing her worship, the woman left for her home. Overcome by his desires, Bilvamangal began following her. When she turned back, she was startled to see a saint trailing behind her. His gaze was not pure—it carried the weight of desire. The eyes of an infatuated mind always reveal the turmoil within.
Bilvamangal Thakur Followed the Woman to Her Home
As the woman hurried toward her home, Bilvamangal Thakur also quickened his pace, following her all the way. Upon reaching home, she told her husband, “A man has followed me here. He appears to be a saint in attire, but I feel he is a lustful person, perhaps a hypocrite.” Her husband replied calmly, “He has reached our doorstep, and a guest is considered a form of God. Let us see what he seeks. Do not worry.”
With a heart full of longing and attachment, Bilvamangal Thakur asked, “Who was that young bride who just arrived?” The husband responded, “She is my wife.” Bilvamangal Thakur pleaded, “I wish to see her once more, to gaze upon her beauty.”
Any ordinary person might have reacted with anger and rejection, but the woman’s husband was a virtuous man. He reflected, “Either this is a test by the Lord, or this man is a sinner. If he is indeed a sinner and I reject him harshly, he may leave his burden of sin upon us. But if this is part of the Lord’s divine play, then its outcome will surely be auspicious. I must not be afraid.”
Thus, he instructed his wife, “You are a devoted wife, and I command you to adorn yourself fully and grant him a vision of your beauty. Go and sit in solitude. I will remain here; follow my orders.” Hearing her husband’s words, she hesitated but obeyed him. When she entered the room, trembling, she softly asked, “What is your command?”
Bilvamangal Thakur Sacrifices His Eyes
Bilvamangal Thakur lifted his eyes, and his heart trembled. For countless lifetimes, his mind had been engrossed in worldly pleasures, but by the grace of his guru, he had been redirected toward the lotus feet of lord Krishna. Yet, the same fire of desire, the same tormenting image of Chintamani, continued to haunt him. He turned to the woman and asked, “Can I get two needles?” The woman, with humility, replied, “Certainly.” That was all he requested—two needles. She went inside and returned with them.
Taking the needles in his hands, Bilvamangal Thakur declared, “O Lord Krishna! These eyes have led me astray for countless lifetimes. No more! I will not let them burn with desire again after seeing such forms. Jai Shri Krishna!” Saying this, he pierced his own eyes, blinding himself.
The woman screamed, and upon hearing her cries, her husband rushed to the scene. Both of them, shocked and distressed, asked, “Why did you do this?” Bilvamangal Thakur, in a calm and composed voice, replied, “If you wish to help, please give me a stick. Those who are born blind learn to walk in darkness, but I am not accustomed to it.” The husband immediately handed him a stick. Bilvamangal Thakur then said, “Stand me on the path to Vrindavan. From there, I shall make my way forward.”
Lord Krishna Appears Before Bilvamangal Thakur
Now blind, Bilvamangal Thakur continued his journey, his mind immersed in the remembrance of Lord Krishna. Relying on his stick for support, he moved forward. However, being unaccustomed to walking in darkness, he unknowingly approached a deep well covered with grass. Unaware of the danger, he stepped forward and fell straight into it. As he plummeted, he cried out in deep anguish, “Oh, Krishna! Oh, Krishna! Oh, Krishna!” When a devotee calls out to the Lord with a sincere heart, the Lord does not delay even for a moment. Instantly, Lord Shri Krishna appeared and said, “Baba, lift your stick!” Bilvamangal Thakur raised his stick, and in an instant, he was pulled out of the deep well. Bewildered, he thought, “Such a deep well, such a small stick, and yet I was lifted out in just a moment?”
As he moved forward cautiously, he gently grasped the hand of the one who had saved him. But the hand was quickly withdrawn. At that moment, Bilvamangal Thakur exclaimed, “I know! I know who you are! No one in this world can love me this much. O Lord Krishna, it is You!” Lord Krishna Himself guided Bilvamangal Thakur to Vrindavan. Upon reaching there, he became intoxicated with divine love for the Lord and became renowned as Bilvamangalacharya. In deep devotion, he composed exquisite verses in praise of Lord Krishna, pouring out the nectar of divine love. Yet, before anything else, he first offered reverence to Chintamani, saying, “O Guru-like Chintamani! Had you not turned me away, I would never have attained this supreme state of Krishna’s divine love.”
The Difference Between Sense Enjoyment and Attachment
Sensory enjoyment and attachment are two distinct concepts. Indulging in sensory pleasures is one thing while developing deep attachment, love, or a sense of belonging toward someone or something is entirely different.
A person driven by sensory desires constantly seeks new pleasures, never satisfied with what they have. In contrast, an attached person, once deeply devoted to someone, remains unwavering—no matter how many worldly beauties or temptations present themselves, they will not even glance at them. Attachment takes complete control of one’s thoughts, leaving no room for any other contemplation or distraction.
The Greatest Obstacle In Chanting Of The Holy Name
When one develops an attachment to the physical form of a man or woman, the mind becomes captivated and constantly thinks about them. This is the greatest obstacle in uninterrupted chanting of the holy name of God. The mind should be engrossed in the remembrance of God, but if worldly desires hijack one’s thoughts, how can true devotion take place? The tendency of the mind to dwell on sensual pleasures is extremely dangerous. Control your eyes, for they repeatedly deceive you. Lower your eyelids and discipline your gaze. Never look at other women with impure intentions. The scriptures command:
Jo aapan chaahai kalyaana, sujasu sumati subh gati sukh naana,
So paranari lilaar gosaaee, tajau chauthi ke chand ki naaee
One who desires their welfare, honour, wisdom, virtuous path, and various kinds of happiness should forsake the face of women (other than one’s wife) just as people avoid looking at the fourth-day moon.
— Shri Ramcharitmanas
Looking at other women with lustful intent will inevitably lead to one’s downfall.
Guidance By: Pujya Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj
