This word for word has already been demonstrated. My point is that the word for word does not lead to a conclusion that homosexuality is an expression of high lust levels. High lust levels, as I already mentioned, are observed in life to be expressed in a great many ways. And as I already said, there are homosexuals who experience a very low level of sex desire compared to other people, heterosexual included. Therefore, how can I possibly interpret this verse to mean what you say it means?
This verse, word for word, says nothing about homosexuality. Since homosexuality is defined by its express desire for same sex copulation (meaning also a lack of desire for opposite sex copulation), the story in fact says nothing about homosexuality. All it is completely clear about, if we take it word for word, is that the asuras a highly lustful and forceful and tried to have sex with the first thing they saw.
Your saying that high sex desire is expressed as homosexual tendency is not at all mentioned in this verse and I do not know how you can arrive at that conclusion based on the verse alone. It is not even a literal interpretation. So when, as below, you say we must take the verse in a black and white meaning, you are not even doing that here. You are interpreting.
I have given the word to word translation, which if read and taken literally, is the same in essence as the translation provided.
If you want to believe what many persons have told you, then their modes of nature (in expressing) and your modes of nature (in understanding) will both be an obstacle...like a colored glass through which you will see only a colored reality. Not the real reality.
Also, conditioned souls have the following four defects:
(1) is sure to commit mistakes, (2) is invariably illusioned, (3) has the tendency to cheat others and (4) is limited by imperfect senses. With these four imperfections, one cannot deliver perfect information.
If you still want to believe the opinion of others, and not the scriptures, it is fine. You are entitled to your opinion, and I to mine. So let us not fight over it.
Really? So what happens when you read different scriptures and they seem to contradict one another? What happens when one spiritual master contradicts another? Whose version of black and white interpretation is correct?
The scriptures are classified to raise one's level of consciousness from tamasik, to rajasic, to satavik, to transcendental. So, there could be apparent differences in the scriptures, but there are no contradictions.
The scriptures may be infallible, but we are not and so our ability to perceive real meaning is often clouded.
I agree. Our understanding of the scriptures is influenced by the modes of nature we have acquired. A person with a red glass will see the world as red. One with green, will see the world as green.
That is why, to understand the scriptures and their real meaning, surrender to a spiritual master, in the authorized disciplic succession is recommended in the scriptures itself. A spiritual master, not covered by material modes of nature of a conditioned soul, can deliver to you the real import of scripures.
