the ocean. The ocean does not come on the other side of the Narrows. This is the
example. When we have controlled the senses, we shall be just like the big ocean—
although full with spiritual knowledge, calm and quiet without disturbing anyone,
and without being disturbed. Peaceful.

In Bengal there are about five hundred rivers. All these rivers flow down water, to
the ocean. But still, the ocean, the Bay of Bengal, is calm and quiet. Quiet. Similarly,
for those who have become as full and as big as the ocean, material desires may come,
but they are not disturbed. Although so many rivers are flowing down water, you
won't see an inch of water out of it, and you can pour any amount of water into it.
The sea level is always the same. This example is given. Desires we must have. We
cannot extinguish desires. It is foolishness to think that we can subdue desires.
Desires are the symptoms of life. Let there be desires. If I have life and consciousness,
then desire must also be there. Just as, when the water flows down from the rivers to
the ocean, the ocean is not disturbed, so a person need not be disturbed by these
desires. This is the art. This is the secret of the perfection of your life.

Desires may come, but if you are fixed with a proper understanding, you convert
your desires. The whole process is to dovetail your desires with the Lord's. The
example is that Arjuna desires not to fight, but after hearing Bhagavad-gita, his
desire changed. He said, “Yes, I shall fight!” He desired to fight. So, there was desire.
The mode of desire was changed, that's all. Similarly, we cannot stop desiring. That
is not possible. But we have to change the quality of the desire. That is all. It’s not
very difficult: I shall do this, I shall not do this. Bhagavad-gita is meant to show us
these things. Arjuna desired something before hearing Bhagavad-gita, and he desired
something else after hearing Bhagavad-gita. The quality of desire changed. Similarly,
by hearing the Gita you can change your desire. You don’t have to stop your desire.
You simply have to purify your desires. Then you'll not be disturbed by them. When
your desires disturb you, you may know that you are not yet spiritually established.
And when your desires enlighten you, enliven you, give you happiness—you may
know that that desire is spiritual. Just as with Arjuna, the desire has to be changed.

Let desires be. Now, you can change the desires. Desire for Krsna. Don’t desire for
yourself. Desire for Krsna. How can I desire for Krsna? Take a practical example.
Krsna came to this material world to call us: “My dear boys please give up all your
nonsensical engagements. Become a follower of Mine, and I shall protect you.” This
is Krsna’s message. Now Bhagavad-gita is present, the message of Krsna. If you desire
to preach this message of the Gita to the people of the world, that means you have
