Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 7.8.10
Mukti· LiberationConquer the Enemies Within
“In former times there were many fools like you who did not conquer the six enemies that steal away the wealth of the body. These fools were very proud, thinking, “I have conquered all enemies in all the ten directions.” But if a person is victorious over the six enemies and is equipoised toward all living entities, for him there are no enemies. Enemies are merely imagined by one in ignorance.”
What the purport teaches
- People may proudly think they have conquered all enemies while remaining controlled by their own mind and five senses. These are the six enemies described here.
- Everyone is originally a servant of Kṛṣṇa. Forgetting this, one serves māyā through lusty desires, anger, greed, illusion, madness and jealousy.
- One who is in Kṛṣṇa consciousness recognizes the uncontrolled mind and senses as the enemies within. One who has conquered them and is equal toward all living entities has no enemies.
Try this today
Notice one urge driven by anger, greed or jealousy today, and pause to remember that you are a servant of Kṛṣṇa before acting.
Ask yourself
Which demand of my mind or senses most often distracts me from serving Kṛṣṇa?
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.