262 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 9

trpyanti neha krpana bahu-duhkha-bhajah
kanditivan manasijam visaheta dhirah

yat—that which (is meant for material sense gratification); maithuna-
adi—represented by talking of sex, reading sexual literature or enjoying
sex life (at home or outside, as in a club); grhamedhi-sukham—all types
of material happiness based on attachment to family, society, friendship,
etc.; hi—indeed; tuccham—insignificant; kandityanena—with the itch-
ing; karayoh—of the two hands (to relieve the itching); iva—like;
duhkha-duhkham—different types of unhappiness (into which one is
put after such itching sense gratification); trpyanti—become satisfied;
na—never; iha—in material sense gratification; krpanah—the foolish
persons; bahu-duhkha-bhajah—subjected to various types of material
unhappiness; kanditi-vat—if one can learn from such itching; manasi-
jam—which is simply a mental concoction (actually there is no happi-
ness); visaheta—and tolerates (such itching); dhirah—(he can become)
a most perfect, sober person.

TRANSLATION

Sex life is compared to the rubbing of two hands to relieve an
itch. Grhamedhis, so-called grhasthas who have no spiritual
knowledge, think that this itching is the greatest platform of hap-
piness, although actually it is a source of distress. The krpanas, the
fools who are just the opposite of brahmanas, are not satisfied by
repeated sensuous enjoyment. Those who are dhira, however, who
are sober and who tolerate this itching, are not subjected to the
sufferings of fools and rascals.

PURPORT

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 ar-
rangements 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
