Vedic Thoughts
The conditioned soul is forced to act under the pressure of the modes of material nature. The living entity has no independence. When he is under the direction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead he is free, but when, under the impression that he is satisfying his senses, he engages in sense gratificatory activities, he is actually under the spell of material nature.
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.27.2, Purport
The desire to gratify one’s own senses is kāma (lust), but the desire to please the senses of Lord Kṛṣṅa is prema (love).
Śrīla Kṛṣṅadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi 4.165
Even though in this world we don’t get to meet many devotees from the spiritual world, the conversations and pastimes of the devotees of [Caitanya] Mahāprabhu’s time eternally exist in the form of books and sound, and that is why we do not feel so much pain from material troubles. If we live here in the association of the words of the spiritual world, then the memory of this association will keep us at a distance from material misery.
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Letter, December 22, 1927
To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
Lord Śrī Kṛṣṅa Bhagavad-gītā 10.10
We wrongly look upon Kṛṣṅa and Balarāma as ordinary human beings, as whirling men see the whole world whirling around them.
Śrī Uddhava Kṛṣṅa, Chapter 46
Under no circumstances can the words of persons bewildered by the illusory energy of the Lord deviate the intelligence of those who are completely surrendered souls.
Śrī Uddhava Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.2.10
Do not put faith in this temporary material body, because Yamarāja, the lord of death, is waiting next to you. The flow of karma is just like the ocean of sorrow. Consider this properly and worship the lotus feet of Rādhā and Kṛṣṅa with attachment under the guidance of saints and scriptures.
Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura Śrī Prema-bhakti-candrikā 8.7