Chapter 20

Verse 18 (SB 11.20.18)

SB 11.20.17

SB 11.20.19

SB 11.20.18 • मूल श्लोक

यदारम्भेषु निर्विण्णो विरक्त: संयतेन्द्रिय: । अभ्यासेनात्मनो योगी धारयेदचलं मन: ॥ १८ ॥

Transliteration

yadārambheṣu nirviṇṇo viraktaḥ saṁyatendriyaḥ abhyāsenātmano yogī dhārayed acalaṁ manaḥ

Synonyms (Word-for-Word)

yadā — when; ārambheṣu — in material endeavors; nirviṇṇaḥ — hopeless; viraktaḥ — detached; saṁyata — completely controlling; indriyaḥ — the senses; abhyāsena — by practice; ātmanaḥ — of the soul; yogī — the transcendentalist; dhārayet — should concentrate; acalam — steady; manaḥ — the mind.

Translation

“A transcendentalist, having become disgusted and hopeless in all endeavors for material happiness, completely controls the senses and develops detachment. By spiritual practice he should then fix the mind on the spiritual platform without deviation.”

Bhaktivedanta Purport

By Śrīla Prabhupāda

The inevitable result of material sense gratification is disappointment and pain that sears the heart. One becomes gradually hopeless and despondent in material life; then, receiving good instructions from the Lord or His devotee, one transforms one’s material disappointment into spiritual success. Actually, Lord Kṛṣṇa is our only true friend, and this simple understanding can bring one to a new life of spiritual happiness in the company of the Lord.