Srimad Bhagavatam — Saptama Skandha, Shloka 40
Prahlāda’s Prayers Pacify Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva
Prahlāda-stuti and the Lord’s Benediction Offer
जिह्वैकतोऽच्युत विकर्षति मावितृप्ता शिश्नोऽन्यतस्त्वगुदरं श्रवणं कुतश्चित् । घ्राणोऽन्यतश्चपलदृक् क्व च कर्मशक्ति- र्बह्व्य: सपत्न्य इव गेहपतिं लुनन्ति ॥ ४० ॥
jihvaikato ’cyuta vikarṣati māvitṛptā śiśno ’nyatas tvag-udaraṁ śravaṇaṁ kutaścit ghrāṇo ’nyataś capala-dṛk kva ca karma-śaktir bahvyaḥ sapatnya iva geha-patiṁ lunanti
Ó Acyuta, meus sentidos me puxam como muitas esposas disputando o senhor da casa: a língua para iguarias, os genitais para o prazer, a pele para o toque macio. O ventre, mesmo cheio, quer mais; o ouvido, em vez de ouvir Tuas kathā, inclina-se a cantos mundanos; o olfato e os olhos inquietos correm atrás de outros objetos, e as faculdades ativas se voltam para outros lados. Assim fico realmente embaraçado.
The human form of life is meant for God realization, but this process, which begins with śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ — hearing and chanting of the holy name of the Lord — is disturbed as long as our senses are materially attracted. Therefore devotional service means purifying the senses. In the conditioned state our senses are covered by material sense gratification, and as long as one is not trained in purifying the senses, one cannot become a devotee. In our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, therefore, we advise from the very beginning that one restrict the activities of the senses, especially the tongue, which is described by Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura as most greedy and unconquerable. To stop this attraction of the tongue, one is authoritatively advised not to accept meat or similar uneatable things nor to allow the tongue to hanker to drink or smoke. Even the drinking of tea and coffee is not permitted. Similarly, the genitals must be restricted from illicit sex. Without such restraint of the senses, one cannot make advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The only method of controlling the senses is to chant and hear the holy name of the Lord; otherwise, one will always be disturbed, as a householder with more than one wife would be disturbed by them for sense gratification.
FAQs
It explains that each sense pulls the person toward its own object—tongue, genitals, skin, belly, ears, nose, eyes, and the urge to act—so one must seek refuge in Acyuta (the Lord) rather than trusting the senses to be satisfied.
He uses a vivid metaphor: like many co-wives competing for attention and resources, the senses compete for enjoyment and thereby drain the strength, peace, and focus of the “householder,” the embodied soul who thinks he is the controller.
Recognize multi-directional cravings (food, sex, entertainment, shopping, constant media) as competing pulls; practice devotional anchoring—hearing and chanting the Lord’s names, mindful regulation, and offering sense activities in service—so the senses become guided rather than masters.