yan maithunÄdi-gá¹›hamedhi-sukhaá¹ hi tucchaá¹
kaṇá¸Å«yanena karayor iva duḥkha-duḥkham
tá¹›pyanti neha ká¹›paá¹‡Ä bahu-duḥkha-bhÄjaḥ
kaṇá¸Å«tivan manasijaá¹ viá¹£aheta dhÄ«raḥ
yat - that which (is meant for material sense gratification); maithuna-Ädi - represented by talking of sex, reading sexual literature or enjoying sex life (at home or outside, as in a club); gá¹›hamedhi-sukham - all types of material happiness based on attachment to family, society, friendship, etc.; hi - indeed; tuccham - insignificant; kaṇá¸Å«yanena - with the itching; karayoḥ - of the two hands (to relieve the itching); iva - like; duḥkha-duḥkham - different types of unhappiness (into which one is put after such itching sense gratification); tá¹›pyanti - become satisfied; na - never; iha - in material sense gratification; ká¹›paṇÄḥ - the foolish persons; bahu-duḥkha-bhÄjaḥ - subjected to various types of material unhappiness; kaṇá¸Å«ti-vat - if one can learn from such itching; manasi-jam - which is simply a mental concoction (actually there is no happiness); viá¹£aheta - and tolerates (such itching); dhÄ«raḥ - (he can become) a most perfect, sober person.
Materialists think that sexual indulgence is the greatest happiness in this material world, and therefore they make elaborate plans to satisfy their senses, especially the genitals. This is generally found everywhere, and specifically found in the Western world, where there are regular arrangements to satisfy sex life in different ways. Actually, however, this has not made anyone happy. Even the hippies, who have given up all the materialistic comforts of their fathers and grandfathers, cannot give up the sensational happiness of sex life. Such persons are described here as ká¹›paṇas, misers. The human form of life is a great asset, for in this life one can fulfill the goal of existence. Unfortunately, however, because of a lack of education and culture, people are victimized by the false happiness of sex life. PrahlÄda MahÄrÄja therefore advises one not to be misled by this civilization of sense gratification, and especially not by sex life. Rather, one should be sober, avoid sense gratification and be Kṛṣṇa conscious. The lusty person, who is compared to a foolish miser, never gets happiness by sense gratification. The influence of material nature is very difficult to surpass, but as stated by Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gÄ«tÄ (7.14), mÄm eva ye prapadyante, mÄyÄm etÄá¹ taranti te: if one voluntarily submits to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, he can be saved very easily.
In reference to the low-grade happiness of sex life, YÄmunÄcÄrya says in this connection:
yadÄvadhi mama cetaḥ kṛṣṇa-padÄravinde
nava-nava-rasa-dhÄmanudyata rantum ÄsÄ«t
tadÄvadhi bata nÄrÄ«-saá¹…game smaryamÄne
bhavati mukha-vikÄraḥ suá¹£á¹u niá¹£á¹hÄ«vanaá¹ ca
“Since I have been engaged in the transcendental loving service of Kṛṣṇa, realizing ever-new pleasure in Him, whenever I think of sex pleasure, I spit at the thought, and my lips curl with distaste.†YÄmunÄcÄrya had formerly been a great king who enjoyed sexual happiness in various ways, but since he later engaged himself in the service of the Lord, he enjoyed spiritual bliss and hated to think of sex life. If sexual thoughts came to him, he would spit with disgust.