Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.6.2
Mukti· LiberationRemain Watchful Over the Mind
“Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī replied: My dear King, you have spoken correctly. However, after capturing animals, a cunning hunter does not put faith in them, for they might run away. Similarly, those who are advanced in spiritual life do not put faith in the mind. Indeed, they always remain vigilant and watch the mind’s action.”
What the purport teaches
- Those advanced in spiritual life do not put faith in the unsteady mind. Like a hunter watching captured animals, they remain vigilant.
- Sacrifice, charity and penance should not be given up, because they purify even great souls.
- Renunciation does not mean giving up chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Lord Ṛṣabhadeva set an example of strictly controlling the mind and senses through tapasya.
Try this today
Set aside a few minutes today to chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra attentively.
Ask yourself
Do I sometimes treat spiritual progress as a reason to become less watchful?
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.