Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 20
Karma, Jñāna, and Bhakti: Vedic Dharma, Piety and Sin, and the Boat of Human Life
मनोगतिं न विसृजेज्जितप्राणो जितेन्द्रिय: । सत्त्वसम्पन्नया बुद्ध्या मन आत्मवशं नयेत् ॥ २० ॥
mano-gatiṁ na visṛjej jita-prāṇo jitendriyaḥ sattva-sampannayā buddhyā mana ātma-vaśaṁ nayet
Jangan pernah melupakan tujuan sejati dari gerak batin. Dengan menaklukkan prāṇa dan indria, serta memakai buddhi yang diteguhkan oleh sattva, kendalikan pikiran di bawah diri sejati.
Although the mind may suddenly wander outside the jurisdiction of self-realization, one must bring the mind back under control by clear intelligence in the mode of goodness. The best solution is to keep the mind always busy in the service of Lord Kṛṣṇa so that the mind cannot wander onto the dangerous path of sense gratification, headed by sex attraction. The material mind is naturally inclined to accept material objects at every moment. Therefore unless the mind is seriously brought under control there is no possibility of becoming steady on the path of spiritual advancement.
FAQs
In this verse, Krishna teaches that after regulating prāṇa and subduing the senses, one must not allow the mind to roam; with sattva-filled intelligence, the mind should be brought under the Self’s control.
In the Uddhava Gītā section of Canto 11, Krishna instructs Uddhava on practical paths of liberation; here He emphasizes inner mastery—sense control, prāṇa discipline, and sattvic discernment—as essential for steady spiritual realization.
Practice daily regulation (breath, routine, moderation), reduce sense overstimulation, and use clear discernment to redirect attention from impulsive thoughts toward prayer, study, and service—training the mind to obey higher values.