Shloka 33
The Prayers of the Personified Vedas (Śruti-stuti) and the Indescribable Absolute
विजितहृषीकवायुभिरदान्तमनस्तुरगं य इह यतन्ति यन्तुमतिलोलमुपायखिद: । व्यसनशतान्विता: समवहाय गुरोश्चरणं वणिज इवाज सन्त्यकृतकर्णधरा जलधौ ॥ ३३ ॥
vijita-hṛṣīka-vāyubhir adānta-manas tura-gaṁ ya iha yatanti yantum ati-lolam upāya-khidaḥ vyasana-śatānvitāḥ samavahāya guroś caraṇaṁ vaṇija ivāja santy akṛta-karṇa-dharā jaladhau
Aun quienes han dominado los sentidos y el aliento no logran controlar la mente, semejante a un caballo indómito y muy inquieto. Quienes en este mundo intentan domar esa mente desbocada pero abandonan los pies de su maestro espiritual, quedan rodeados de cientos de obstáculos en prácticas penosas. Oh Señor no nacido, son como mercaderes en el océano en una barca sin timonel.
To become qualified to attain love of Godhead, the mature fruit of liberation, one must first subdue the rebellious material mind. Though difficult, this can be achieved when a person replaces his addictions to sense gratification with a taste for the higher pleasures of spiritual life. But only by the favor of the representative of Godhead, the spiritual master, can one gain this higher taste.
FAQs
This verse says that even if one tries to conquer the senses and prāṇa to control the mind, without shelter at the guru’s feet one remains troubled—like sailing an ocean without a helmsman.
Because spiritual practice without proper guidance and surrender lacks direction; like a ship at sea, it may be overwhelmed despite effort, leading to repeated difficulties.
Along with self-discipline, seek authentic spiritual guidance, practice devotion with humility, and anchor daily life in guru-instruction so the mind’s restlessness is directed toward the Lord rather than merely suppressed.