Answer
Enjoyment itself is not the problem—the problem is seeking enjoyment as the primary goal. When enjoyment becomes the focus, and Krishna is served as a means to that end, the orientation is reversed.
For a devotee, it is the opposite:
we primarily serve Krishna, and whatever happiness comes is accepted as prasādam. We do not chase ānanda separately. Real ānanda is defined as successfully engaging in devotion to Śrī Krishna. For a devotee, devotion itself is ānanda.
So the real issue is about what we are seeking.
Those who are materially inclined—even elevated beings like demigods—often seek enjoyment first. Their devotion is secondary. They may recognize that Vishnu is the supreme controller, the giver, the ultimate authority—but their relationship is more transactional.
It is like workers in a factory: they know who the boss is, they depend on him, they interact with him—but the relationship is formal. In contrast, the family members of that same person relate with him in intimacy, affection, and love.
Similarly, our goal is not merely to acknowledge God as the supreme authority, but to return to a personal, loving relationship with Krishna—to enter His “family,” so to speak, and engage in sweet, intimate devotional exchanges. That is the deeper aim of spiritual life.
Now, in the beginning stages of devotion, we may still have many material desires. This is called mixed devotional service. In that sense, there may appear to be some similarity with demigod worshippers. But there is a crucial difference:
Their goal is to maintain or fulfill material desires.
Our goal is to become free from material desires and come to pure devotion.
We may start with mixture, but our direction is toward purity. That direction is firmly established by the teachings of A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada—to go back to Godhead through pure devotional service.
Yes, the mind will still be restless. It will seek enjoyment, sense gratification, and distractions. But that is natural in the beginning—no need to be overly disturbed by it. The important thing is that your core intention is aligned correctly.
If the sincere desire is there—to serve Krishna and become materially desire-free—then purification will happen. The citta (heart) will gradually become cleansed.
There is also an important distinction to remember:
Having material desires due to past conditioning is not an offense.
But deliberately maintaining and nurturing those desires is an obstacle.
If one holds onto material attachments intentionally, then progress toward pure devotion slows down. But if one continues chanting and serving sincerely, without feeding those desires, they will naturally weaken and disappear.
So the essence is:
Keep serving, keep hearing, keep the goal clear—pure devotion. The rest will gradually fall into place.
