Shloka 55
Nārada Explains the Allegory of King Purañjana
Deha–Indriya–Manaḥ Mapping and the Remedy of Bhakti
स त्वं विचक्ष्य मृगचेष्टितमात्मनोऽन्त- श्चित्तं नियच्छ हृदि कर्णधुनीं च चित्ते । जह्यङ्गनाश्रममसत्तमयूथगाथं प्रीणीहि हंसशरणं विरम क्रमेण ॥ ५५ ॥
sa tvaṁ vicakṣya mṛga-ceṣṭitam ātmano ’ntaś cittaṁ niyaccha hṛdi karṇa-dhunīṁ ca citte jahy aṅganāśramam asattama-yūtha-gāthaṁ prīṇīhi haṁsa-śaraṇaṁ virama krameṇa
Mi querido rey, comprende la posición alegórica del ciervo; domina tu mente en el corazón y no des cabida en la conciencia a los sonidos que seducen el oído. Abandona la vida doméstica llena de lujuria y los relatos de tal índole, y toma refugio en la Suprema Personalidad de Dios por la misericordia de las almas liberadas, semejantes a cisnes. Así, renuncia gradualmente a tu atracción por la existencia material.
In one of his songs, Śrīla Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura writes:
FAQs
This verse advises fixing the mind by bringing into consciousness the purifying ‘stream through the ear’—absorbing oneself in hearing sacred teachings—so the restless mind becomes restrained and steadied.
Nārada instructs the king to turn from ritualistic, materially motivated life and sense attachment toward bhakti—seeking saintly association, regulating the mind, and gradually renouncing degrading worldly talk and company.
Reduce distracting media and gossip, prioritize daily hearing/reading of Bhagavatam or kīrtana, seek uplifting association, and make gradual lifestyle changes that weaken compulsive sense-driven habits.