Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.11.8
Mukti· LiberationTrain the Mind for Liberation
“When the living entity’s mind becomes absorbed in the sense gratification of the material world, it brings about his conditioned life and suffering within the material situation. However, when the mind becomes unattached to material enjoyment, it becomes the cause of liberation. When the flame in a lamp burns the wick improperly, the lamp is blackened, but when the lamp is filled with ghee and is burning properly, there is bright illumination. Similarly, when the mind is absorbed in material sense gratification, it causes suffering, and when detached from material sense gratification it brings about the original brightness of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.”
What the purport teaches
- A mind absorbed in material sense gratification causes bondage and suffering. Detachment from such enjoyment restores the original brightness of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, like a properly burning lamp.
- The mind should be cleansed of material attachment and fully engaged in the Lord’s service. Steady devotional service carries one beyond the modes of material nature.
- Kṛṣṇa conscious activities make the mind a cause of liberation and return home, back to Godhead. Continued absorption in sense gratification leads to different bodies and the consequences of material actions.
Try this today
Replace five minutes of an activity done only for sense enjoyment with five minutes of studying these teachings about Kṛṣṇa.
Ask yourself
What small change would help my mind become more absorbed in Kṛṣṇa’s service?
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.