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
Kahit yaong nagtagumpay sa mga pandama at sa paghinga, ang isip ay parang kabayong ubod ng liksi at di-masupil. Ang mga nagsisikap sa mundong ito na paamuhin ang di-mapigil na isip ngunit iniiwan ang mga paa ng gurong espirituwal, ay nasasadlak sa daan-daang hadlang sa mga pagsasanay na mapanglaw at masakit. O Panginoong Di-Ipinanganak, sila’y gaya ng mga mangangalakal sa dagat na walang 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.