Category:Natural Tendency

Theme Analysis

The living entity is eternally active and conscious; therefore, it is impossible for the soul to exist without a natural tendency. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because we are spiritual entities, our original, constitutional tendency is to enjoy life (ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt) by rendering loving service to the Supreme Lord. However, when the soul falls into the material world and identifies with the temporary body, this pure spiritual tendency is perverted. The soul's inherent desire to love and serve is misdirected toward the varieties of the material world, binding the living entity to the waves of māyā.

In this conditioned state, the natural tendency manifests as base urges for sense gratification. Without any formal education, the conditioned soul automatically gravitates toward illicit sex, meat-eating, and intoxication. Because these urges are deeply ingrained in the bodily concept of life, they are very difficult to give up. The Vedic scriptures, recognizing these powerful material instincts, offer regulated concessions to gradually elevate the living entity. Yet, true spiritual advancement means completely abandoning these lower tendencies and understanding that one's real identity is kṛṣṇa-dāsa, an eternal servant of God.

The perfection of human life is achieved when the soul successfully returns to its original, spiritual natural tendency. By absorbing the perfect knowledge given in the Bhagavad-gītā, a person learns to redirect their innate loving propensity exclusively toward Lord Kṛṣṇa. Furthermore, Kṛṣṇa consciousness teaches that one must work according to their inherent nature (svabhāva) to be successful. As a devotee matures in this purified state, a new, exalted natural tendency emerges: the spontaneous desire to preach, perform saṅkīrtana, and compassionately deliver others from material suffering.

• The Two Tendencies: The soul's original natural tendency is spiritual and service-oriented, but in the material world, it is perverted into the pursuit of temporary sense gratification.
• Base Material Urges: Addictions to sex, intoxication, and meat-eating are automatic, unlearned natural tendencies of the conditioned soul that must be purified.
• Reviving the Original State: Spiritual success requires abandoning material service and redirecting one's innate loving tendency toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
• The Urge to Preach: For an advanced devotee, the ultimate natural tendency is the compassionate desire to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness and perform saṅkīrtana.

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Natural Tendency - Purifying Our Eternal Propensities.