Are Drinking and Smoking Really Cool?
A Fresh Perspective Through the Lens of Krishna Bhakti
I remember sitting in a group of friends during my college days, feeling the weight of unspoken judgment. A beer bottle was being passed around, cigarettes were lit, and laughter filled the air. But when I politely declined to join in, the mood shifted ever so slightly. There were jokes, some light-hearted teasing, and a few subtle smirks. I was the "uncool" one—the person who didn’t understand the thrill of “living life.”
That memory still lingers, not because it left a scar, but because it STILL HAPPENS albeit with a different group. Every time this happens it leaves me questioning: Why do we equate smoking and drinking with being cool? And why do we look down on those who choose not to indulge, as if they’re boring or incapable of enjoying life?
As someone walking the path of Krishna bhakti, these questions take on an even deeper meaning. Krishna’s teachings in the Bhagavad Gita remind us that true coolness isn’t about conforming to fleeting trends—it’s about living with purpose, integrity, and awareness. Let’s explore why drinking and smoking don’t fit into this picture, why abstaining is a sign of strength, and how we can break free from these harmful illusions.
The Illusion of Coolness
Modern culture has glamorized smoking and drinking for decades. Movies, advertisements, and social media often present these habits as symbols of confidence, freedom, or sophistication. But let’s take a step back and think: What’s so cool about inhaling harmful chemicals or consuming substances that cloud our judgment?
The Bhagavad Gita offers a profound lens to examine such behaviors. Krishna explains in Chapter 18: That which, both in the beginning as also in the end, deludes oneself, that, born of sleep, laziness, and heedlessness, is said to be happiness in the mode of darkness.
Smoking and drinking often fall into this category. While they may provide temporary pleasure or distraction, they ultimately pull us into the mode of ignorance (tamas), dulling our senses, clouding our minds, and distancing us from our spiritual potential.
Why Engaging in These Habits Is Foolish
Let’s be honest—smoking and drinking aren’t just unwise from a spiritual perspective; they’re harmful on every level. Here’s why indulging in these habits goes against both common sense and Krishna’s teachings:
1. Harming the Body as a Sacred Vessel
Krishna reminds us in the Gita:
"Let man lift his self (the mind) by the self (the knowledge of being a soul), not degrade his self (into ignorance and thereafter destruction); for the self (the mind) is the friend of oneself, and it (the deluded mind) is also the enemy." (BG 6.5)
Our body is a gift, a sacred vessel through which we can serve, grow, and connect with the divine. Smoking and drinking pollute this temple, damaging our health and impairing our ability to live fully. Why would we willingly harm the very tool we’ve been given to experience life and devotion?
2. Clouding the Mind and Soul
Alcohol and nicotine impair our ability to think clearly, focus, and make decisions. For those on the path of bhakti, this is especially detrimental. The mind is the gateway to both bondage and liberation. Krishna says:
"For him whose self (the knowledge of being a soul) has conquered the self (the mind), the self (mind) is the best friend of the self (soul); but to the unconquered self (the deluded mind), its enemy, the self (the soul), remains an enemy." (BG 6.6)
Engaging in habits that weaken our mental clarity only makes it harder to conquer the mind and stay rooted in devotion.
3. Addiction as a Form of Bondage
Both smoking and drinking carry the risk of addiction, which traps us in a cycle of dependence. Bhakti is about liberation—freedom from material desires and attachments. Why trade that freedom for something so fleeting and destructive?
Abstinence: A Sign of Strength, Not Boredom
Now, let’s tackle the stereotype that people who avoid drinking and smoking are boring or old-fashioned. This couldn’t be further from the truth, especially for those walking the path of Krishna bhakti.
1. Living a Purposeful Life
Those who abstain from harmful habits often lead more purposeful, intentional lives. They’re not escaping reality; they’re embracing it with clarity and awareness. Krishna encourages us to focus on actions that uplift us and align with our higher purpose. Abstaining from substances that hinder this process is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.
2. True Confidence and Coolness
It takes courage to stand firm in your values, especially in a culture that often glorifies the opposite. In many ways, choosing not to drink or smoke is the ultimate act of confidence—it shows you don’t need external validation or substances to feel good about yourself.
3. Redefining Enjoyment
For a bhakta, enjoyment comes from deeper, more fulfilling experiences—singing Krishna’s names, engaging in meaningful relationships, and connecting with the divine through service and meditation. These joys far surpass the fleeting highs of intoxication.
The Absurdity of Exclusion
Labeling those who don’t drink or smoke as “uncool” or excluding them from social groups is not only unfair but deeply shortsighted. Krishna’s teachings remind us to see beyond the surface and value people for their inner qualities:
"The wise sages, endowed with knowledge and humility, look with an equal eye upon a Brahmin (a learned man of the highest class), a cow, an elephant, a dog, and even an outcast (the different grades of lower creatures)." (BG 5.18)
Excluding someone based on their refusal to indulge in harmful habits is a shallow perspective. True connection lies in shared values, mutual respect, and genuine friendship—not in whether someone partakes in substances.
Reframing Coolness in Krishna Bhakti
Coolness isn’t about conforming to societal expectations or indulging in fleeting pleasures. It’s about being authentic, living with integrity, and staying true to our higher purpose.
So, the next time you feel pressured to drink or smoke to fit in, remember: The coolest thing you can do is stand firm in your values and honor the sacredness of your life and body. I vow to do this, and so should you.
And if you’re someone who has judged or excluded others for not indulging, take a moment to reflect. Krishna teaches us to see everyone as equal, to respect their choices, and to value them for who they truly are.
True coolness lies in living a life of meaning, awareness, and devotion. Let’s celebrate that—not fleeting habits that only take us further from ourselves and Krishna.