Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.1.17
Mukti· LiberationEngage the Senses in Devotional Service
“Even if he goes from forest to forest, one who is not self-controlled must always fear material bondage because he is living with six co-wives — the mind and knowledge-acquiring senses. Even householder life, however, cannot harm a self-satisfied, learned man who has conquered his senses.”
What the purport teaches
- Moving to a forest does not free someone whose mind and senses remain uncontrolled. The uncontrolled mind and senses go with him.
- Our first concern should be to control the senses by engaging them in the Lord’s service. Bhakti means using purified senses in His service.
- Household life cannot bind a self-controlled person who serves the Lord. One who fully engages activities, mind and words in devotional service is liberated, regardless of circumstances.
Try this today
Use your voice today to speak a few words glorifying the Lord, and keep your mind attentive to their meaning.
Ask yourself
Am I hoping that a change of surroundings will do what devotional engagement of my senses must do?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.