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Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 5.6.3

Mukti· Liberation

Never Neglect Mind and Sense Control

“All the learned scholars have given their opinion. The mind is by nature very restless, and one should not make friends with it. If we place full confidence in the mind, it may cheat us at any moment. Even Lord Śiva became agitated upon seeing the Mohinī form of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and Saubhari Muni also fell down from the mature stage of yogic perfection.”

Śrīla Prabhupāda · Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.6.3, translation

What the purport teaches

  • The first business of someone seeking spiritual advancement is to control the mind and senses. The restless mind may cheat even an advanced practitioner.
  • Living entities are part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, yet they struggle in this world because of the mind and senses. Austerity and detachment should therefore never be neglected.
  • The purport emphasizes strict, offenseless chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Such chanting helps protect spiritual progress from sensual allurement.

Try this today

Put aside one sensual distraction today and spend that time chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra.

Ask yourself

Where am I placing too much confidence in my ability to resist distraction?

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.

One of the 108 chosen lessons, close to this verseResponsibility Means Leading Dependents Toward LiberationSB 5.5.18Next · LeadTeach what you are livingTurn this chapter into a timed class plan or a short reel script.Open Lecture Studio