View source for Engaging the Mind in Thinking of Kṛṣṇa

The mind is the central pivot of human existence. It is naturally fickle and always active. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that we cannot stop the mind from thinking, but we can change the subject matter of our thoughts. By engaging the mind in thinking of Kṛṣṇa—His form, His instructions, and His devotees—one transforms their existence from material entanglement to spiritual liberation. This is the essence of ''bhakti-yoga''.

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=== The Central Instruction: Man-Manā Bhava ===

The most emphatic instruction given by Lord Kṛṣṇa in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' is to engage the mind in thinking of Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that this instruction appears twice (in Chapters 9 and 18), underscoring its importance. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this simple process—''man-manā bhava''—is the key to crossing the ocean of nescience. By keeping the mind absorbed in the Supreme, the devotee is guaranteed to attain the supreme destination.

* [[Vaniquotes:According to Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 9.34): Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me. This process is very simple|According to Lord Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita (BG 9.34): Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me. This process is very simple.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna replied, "One should engage his mind only in thinking of Me, become My devotee, simply Worship Me, & offer his respectful obeisances unto Me alone. In this way, one can cross over this ocean of nescience very easily and at the end come back to Me"|Krsna replied, "One should engage his mind only in thinking of Me, become My devotee, simply Worship Me, and offer his respectful obeisances unto Me alone. In this way, one can cross over this ocean of nescience very easily and at the end come back to Me."]]

=== Practical Meditation and Chanting ===

How does one practically engage the mind? Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that meditation does not mean stopping the mind, but focusing it on the specific form, qualities, and activities of the Lord. Since the mind is flickering, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that one must "force" the mind to think of Kṛṣṇa, primarily through the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra''. This ''kṛṣṇa-bhāvanāmṛta'' (nectar of Kṛṣṇa consciousness) purifies the intelligence, which in turn engages the senses in service.

* [[Vaniquotes:Yoga practice is meditation on the Supersoul within; similarly, by chanting Hare Krsna one fixes his mind always on the Supreme Lord. The mind is fickle, and therefore it is necessary to engage the mind by force to think of Krsna. BG 1972 purports|Yoga practice is meditation on the Supersoul within; similarly, by chanting Hare Krsna one fixes his mind always on the Supreme Lord. The mind is fickle, and therefore it is necessary to engage the mind by force to think of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Meditation means to engage the mind in thinking of the form of the Lord, of the qualities of the Lord, of the activities of the Lord and of the service of the Lord|Meditation means to engage the mind in thinking of the form of the Lord, of the qualities of the Lord, of the activities of the Lord and of the service of the Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If the intelligence and the mind are always engaged in the thought of the Supreme Lord, naturally the senses are also engaged in His service. at least, the activities of the senses remain the same, but the consciousness is changed. BG 1972 Introduction|If the intelligence and the mind are always engaged in the thought of the Supreme Lord, naturally the senses are also engaged in His service. at least, the activities of the senses remain the same, but the consciousness is changed.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In yoga it is necessary to control all of the senses, and when all the senses are controlled, the mind must be engaged in thinking of Visnu. One becomes peaceful after thus conquering material life|In yoga it is necessary to control all of the senses, and when all the senses are controlled, the mind must be engaged in thinking of Visnu. One becomes peaceful after thus conquering material life.]]

=== Examples of Perfect Engagement ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites great souls to illustrate the perfection of engaging in thinking. The inhabitants of Vṛndāvana, specifically the ''gopīs'', were so absorbed in thoughts of Kṛṣṇa that they felt His association even when He was physically absent. Similarly, Prahlāda Mahārāja was protected from extreme dangers because his mind was constantly locked in thought of Govinda. These examples show that ''smaraṇam'' (remembrance) is a potent limb of devotional service.

* [[Vaniquotes:The inhabitants of Vrndavana were always engaged in thinking of Krsna, in constant meditation on the Personality of Godhead in a particular form of samadhi, or trance of bhakti-yoga. They had no fear of the miseries of material existence|The inhabitants of Vrndavana were always engaged in thinking of Krsna, in constant meditation on the Personality of Godhead in a particular form of samadhi, or trance of bhakti-yoga. They had no fear of the miseries of material existence.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Uddhava) always kept them (the gopis) engaged in thinking of the transcendental message of Krsna and His pastimes, and the gopis felt as if they were experiencing direct association with Krsna|He (Uddhava) always kept them (the gopis) engaged in thinking of the transcendental message of Krsna and His pastimes, and the gopis felt as if they were experiencing direct association with Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Prahlada Maharaja was constantly and fully engaged in thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As it is said, govinda-parirambhitah. Prahlada Maharaja engaged himself always in meditation, and thus he was protected by Govinda|Prahlada Maharaja was constantly and fully engaged in thought of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As it is said, govinda-parirambhitah. Prahlada Maharaja engaged himself always in meditation, and thus he was protected by Govinda.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Bharata) became self-controlled and self-realized, and I engaged constantly in devotional service, hearing, thinking, chanting, worshiping and remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva|I (Bharata) became self-controlled and self-realized, and I engaged constantly in devotional service, hearing, thinking, chanting, worshiping and remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva.]]

=== The Contrast: Material vs. Spiritual Thinking ===

Thinking is a powerful force that determines one's future. Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts the devotee with the materialist, such as King Purañjana. Because the King was engaged in thinking of his wife and family, he was helpless when death arrived. In contrast, the devotee who engages in thinking of the Lotus Feet of the Lord conquers death. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one must consciously withdraw the mind from the external energy and fix it on Kṛṣṇa to achieve success.

* [[Vaniquotes:Although King Puranjana was engaged in thinking of his wife and children, death did not wait for him. Death does not wait for any man; it will immediately carry out its duty|Although King Puranjana was engaged in thinking of his wife and children, death did not wait for any man; it will immediately carry out its duty.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I should now give up my attachment for things created by the external energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I should engage in thought of the Lord and should thus surrender unto Him|I should now give up my attachment for things created by the external energy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I should engage in thought of the Lord and should thus surrender unto Him.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sridhara Svami has composed a nice verse in this regard - My dear Lord, to be engaged always in thinking of Your lotus feet is very difficult|Sridhara Svami has composed a nice verse in this regard - My dear Lord, to be engaged always in thinking of Your lotus feet is very difficult.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:There is a statement in the Narayana-vyuha-stava prayers that persons who are always engaged in thinking of the Lord as their husband, friend, father or well-wisher are always worshipable by everyone|There is a statement in the Narayana-vyuha-stava prayers that persons who are always engaged in thinking of the Lord as their husband, friend, father or well-wisher are always worshipable by everyone.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that the mind can be our greatest friend or our worst enemy. When engaged in thinking of material objects, it binds us to the cycle of birth and death. But when engaged in thinking of Kṛṣṇa—''man-manā bhava''—it becomes the vehicle for liberation. By the simple process of chanting and hearing, anyone can engage their mind in the Supreme and attain the ultimate goal of life.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Engaging in Thinking|Engaging in Thinking]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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