The purpose of human intelligence as compared to that of animals is to help us understand that the goal of life is Krishna consciousness; to go back home, back to Godhead. Amongst all the species of life, a human being is meant for higher enquiry and is expected to use his intelligence to push himself to advance in spiritual life. A human being can understand that there is no real pleasure in this material world. If however a human being doesn’t use his intelligence for this purpose, then his intelligence is said to be covered by lust.
A devotee understands that the enemy of lust is inside, not outside of ourselves. The Mahabharata describes the story of Vyasadeva, who while dictating instructions to his disciple Jaimini chanted a verse, “lust is so deadly that even the most learned men are agitated.” Jaimini considered himself intelligent and unaffected by lust and wondered how his spiritual master could chant such a verse. He took liberty in editing this verse and rewrote as, “Lust is deadly and only the most intelligent are unaffected.” While making these changes, Jaimini thought he had saved his spiritual master from a future embarrassment because how can most intelligent people be bewildered by lust; it’s after all only the unintelligent and foolish who are victimised by this force. Vyasadev, by his divine powers understood his disciple’s faulty thinking.
Soon after, one day Jaimini was alone in his hut and it rained heavily outside. Suddenly there was a desperate knock on the door and upon opening the door Jaimini saw a young, beautiful woman dressed scantily and drenched fully, seeking shelter. The sage invited her in and provided her the warmth of the hut. Soon, seeing her gorgeous form, Jaimini was overwhelmed by lusty desires. He couldn’t take his eyes off her and eventually went close to her, appealing her to fulfil his carnal desires. She said she is a chaste lady and cannot enjoy with him unless they were married. He insisted that they marry there and then so that he could immediately enjoy her. She insisted that this isn’t the proper way and they should be married only in a temple, and since there was a temple nearby they could go there. Jaimini insisted they immediately leave for the place, but the woman placed a condition. She could only go to the temple if he crawled with her seated on his back. Blinded by the desire to possess her, Jaimini agreed and knelt low like a horse and she stepped on his back. Hurriedly, Jaimini waded through the waters to go to the temple, and he struggled as heavy rains lashed on both of their bodies. Jaimini was desperate and as he hurried faster, he heard the lady chant the same verse he had edited a few days ago, “Lust is deadly and only the most intelligent are unaffected.” Surprised he looked up and lo and behold he saw the lady turn into Vyasadeva, his spiritual master. Vyasadeva smiled and revealed that he had put on this disguise; he then humbly asked jaimini if he was right in composing the verse. Jaimini was humbled and embarrassed. It was a sobering reminder to him that lust is indeed an overwhelming force and even the most powerful can fall under its sway.
Thus one has to be extremely careful in his dealings and also very serious in his spiritual practises.
