Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.17.2-3
Īśānukathā· The Lord and His devoteesDevotional Service Controls the Mind and Senses
“With full, undiverted attention, Aditi thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and in this way brought under full control her mind and senses, which resembled forceful horses. She concentrated her mind upon the Supreme Lord, Vāsudeva. Thus she performed the ritualistic ceremony known as payo-vrata.”
What the purport teaches
- Aditi concentrated with undiverted attention upon Vāsudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In this way she controlled her powerful mind and senses.
- Pure devotional service means serving the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa favorably, without desire for material profit or gain through fruitive activities or philosophical speculation.
- By concentrating upon Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, the devotee’s mind and senses become controlled through unalloyed devotional service. Separate practice of haṭha-yoga is not needed for this.
Try this today
Spend two quiet minutes directing your attention toward Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet with the desire to serve Him.
Ask yourself
Am I seeking to serve Kṛṣṇa, or mainly seeking something for myself?
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.