Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.17.19
Mukti· LiberationTake Shelter to Conquer the Senses
“We cannot control the force of our anger. Therefore when we look at material things, we cannot avoid feeling attraction or repulsion for them. But the Supreme Lord is never affected in this way. Although He glances over the material world for the purpose of creating, maintaining and destroying it, He is not affected, even to the slightest degree. Therefore, one who desires to conquer the force of the senses must take shelter of the lotus feet of the Lord. Then he will be victorious.”
What the purport teaches
- Uncontrolled anger leaves us subject to attraction and repulsion toward material things. The Supreme Lord is never affected in this way.
- The Lord creates by glancing over material energy, yet its modes do not affect Him. Even when He appears in the material world, He remains eternally transcendental.
- Anyone who wants protection from the modes of material nature must take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Shelter at His lotus feet enables one to conquer the force of the senses.
Try this today
When you notice anger or a strong sensory urge today, pause and ask the Supreme Lord for shelter before acting.
Ask yourself
When anger or attraction becomes strong, do I remember to seek the Lord's shelter?
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.