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TEXT 38 dhumenavriyate vahnir
SYNONYMS  dhumena--by
smoke; avriyate--covered; vahnih--fire; yatha--just
as; adarsah--mirror; malena--by dust; ca--also; yatha--just
as; ulbena--by the womb; avrtah--is covered; garbhah--embryo;
tatha--so;
tena--by that lust; idam--this; avrtam--is covered.
TRANSLATION As fire is
covered by smoke, as a mirror is covered by dust, or as the embryo is covered
by the womb, similarly, the living entity is covered by different degrees
of this lust.
PURPORT There are three
degrees of covering of the living entity by which his pure consciousness
is obscured. This covering is but lust under different manifestations like
smoke in the fire, dust on the mirror, and the womb about the embryo. When
lust is compared to smoke, it is understood that the fire of the living
spark can be a little perceived. In other words, when the living entity
exhibits his Krsna consciousness slightly, he may be likened to the fire
covered by smoke. Although fire is necessary where there is smoke, there
is no overt manifestation of fire in the early stage. This stage is like
the beginning of Krsna consciousness. The dust on the mirror refers to
a cleansing process of the mirror of the mind by so many spiritual methods.
The best process is to chant the holy names of the Lord. The embryo covered
by the womb is an analogy illustrating a helpless position, for the child
in the womb is so helpless that he cannot even move. This stage of living
condition can be compared to that of the trees. The trees are also living
entities, but they have been put in such a condition of life by such a
great exhibition of lust that they are almost void of all consciousness.
The covered mirror is compared to the birds and beasts, and the smoke covered
fire is compared to the human being. In the form of a human being, the
living entity may revive a little Krsna consciousness, and, if he makes
further development, the fire of spiritual life can be kindled in the human
form of life. By careful handling of the smoke in the fire, the fire can
be made to blaze. Therefore the human form of life is a chance for the
living entity to escape the entanglement of material existence. In the
human form of life, one can conquer the enemy, lust, by cultivation of
Krsna consciousness under able guidance.
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