Qualification to Control the Senses: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "The ability to control the senses is the fundamental dividing line between spiritual advancement and material bondage. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a person who is driven by the dictates of the senses is a servant of the senses (''godāsa''), whereas one who is able to control them is a master (''gosvāmī''). This qualification is essential for anyone aspiring to become a ''brāhmaṇa'', a ''sannyāsī'', or a pure devotee. Without this mastery, especially over th...") |
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* [[Vaniquotes:Go means "senses," and svami means "master." When you are able to control your senses, then you are a gosvami or svami, the same thing. Otherwise, godasa. Dasa means - servant|Go means "senses," and svami means "master." When you are able to control your senses, then you are a gosvami or svami, the same thing. Otherwise, godasa. Dasa means - servant.]] | * [[Vaniquotes:Go means "senses," and svami means "master." When you are able to control your senses, then you are a gosvami or svami, the same thing. Otherwise, godasa. Dasa means - servant|Go means "senses," and svami means "master." When you are able to control your senses, then you are a gosvami or svami, the same thing. Otherwise, godasa. Dasa means - servant.]] | ||
* [[Vaniquotes:Gosvami or svami, the same meaning: one who has been able to control the senses. Generally everyone is controlled by the senses. When one becomes controller of the senses, then he is gosvami|Gosvami or svami, the same meaning: one who has been able to control the senses. Generally everyone is controlled by the senses. When one becomes controller of the senses, then he is gosvami.]] | * [[Vaniquotes:Gosvami or svami, the same meaning: one who has been able to control the senses. Generally everyone is controlled by the senses. When one becomes controller of the senses, then he is gosvami|Gosvami or svami, the same meaning: one who has been able to control the senses. Generally everyone is controlled by the senses. When one becomes controller of the senses, then he is gosvami.]] | ||
* [[Vaniquotes:One who is able to control the forces of all these different senses, and the mind, is called gosvami, or svami. Such gosvamis live strictly controlled lives, and forego altogether the forces of the senses. BG 1972 purports|One who is able to control the forces of all these different senses, and the mind, is called gosvami, or svami. Such gosvamis live strictly controlled lives, and forego altogether the forces of the senses | * [[Vaniquotes:One who is able to control the forces of all these different senses, and the mind, is called gosvami, or svami. Such gosvamis live strictly controlled lives, and forego altogether the forces of the senses. BG 1972 purports|One who is able to control the forces of all these different senses, and the mind, is called gosvami, or svami. Such gosvamis live strictly controlled lives, and forego altogether the forces of the senses.]] | ||
=== Secret: Control the Tongue First === | === Secret: Control the Tongue First === | ||
Revision as of 09:13, 23 January 2026
The ability to control the senses is the fundamental dividing line between spiritual advancement and material bondage. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a person who is driven by the dictates of the senses is a servant of the senses (godāsa), whereas one who is able to control them is a master (gosvāmī). This qualification is essential for anyone aspiring to become a brāhmaṇa, a sannyāsī, or a pure devotee. Without this mastery, especially over the tongue, one remains trapped in ignorance and cannot attain the mercy of the Supreme Lord.
Meaning of Gosvāmī
The terms svāmī and gosvāmī are titles often used for spiritual teachers, but Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies their actual meaning: "master of the senses." One who is able to control the six forces—talk, anger, mind, stomach, genitals, and tongue—is a true gosvāmī. Such a person lives a strictly controlled life and does not succumb to the urges of the material body. Conversely, if one is unable to control these urges, they cannot be considered a spiritual master.
- Go means "senses," and svami means "master." When you are able to control your senses, then you are a gosvami or svami, the same thing. Otherwise, godasa. Dasa means - servant.
- Gosvami or svami, the same meaning: one who has been able to control the senses. Generally everyone is controlled by the senses. When one becomes controller of the senses, then he is gosvami.
- One who is able to control the forces of all these different senses, and the mind, is called gosvami, or svami. Such gosvamis live strictly controlled lives, and forego altogether the forces of the senses.
Secret: Control the Tongue First
Among all the senses, the tongue is the most voracious and difficult to conquer. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals the secret to sense control: capture the tongue first. If one gives privilege and indulgence to the tongue by eating unoffered or palatable foods for sense gratification, it becomes impossible to control the other senses, particularly the genitals. Therefore, the path to self-control begins with the regulative principles and the honoring of kṛṣṇa-prasādam.
- If you give privilege and indulgence to the tongue, you'll never be able to control other senses. This is the secret of controlling senses.
- If you want to control the senses, you have to control the tongue first of all. Then you will be able to control other senses very easily.
- By sticking to the regulative principles and chanting Hare Krsna, we shall be able to control the senses, and the first sense is the tongue.
Qualification of a Brāhmaṇa
In a civilized society, there must be a class of first-class men who act as the brain. These are the brāhmaṇas. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that a brāhmaṇa is defined by twelve qualities, foremost among them being truthfulness and the ability to control the mind and senses. If a society lacks such men who have undergone austerities to master their impulses, it remains in a state of ignorance (ajñaḥ), where no one is able to control the senses.
- A brahmana is supposed to be qualified with twelve qualities. As stated in the Mahabharata: A brahmana must be perfectly religious. He must be truthful, and he must be able to control his senses. He must execute severe austerities.
- In order to become perfectly God conscious, the first-class men must be there in the society. And that first-class man is described here, samo damas tapah: he is able to control the mind, the senses; tapah, he has undergone austerities, tapah.
- Brahmana means they must be truthful first. Satya samo damas titiksa (BG 18.42). They must be able to control the senses, control the mind.
Devotion: Easy Method of Control
While mechanical yoga systems like haṭha-yoga attempt to force the senses into submission, Kṛṣṇa consciousness offers a superior and easier method. By fixing the mind on Kṛṣṇa and engaging in His service, the devotee naturally gains control over the senses. This "higher taste" makes the lower tastes of material enjoyment insignificant. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that simply by identifying as a spirit soul and servant of Kṛṣṇa, one gains the strength to master the senses.
- So if our mind is fixed up in Krsna, then naturally the senses will be controlled. If we fix up our mind that we shall not do anything, drdha-vratah. This is determination, that "I shall have nothing to do without Krsna." Then you are first-class yogi.
- This process of Krsna consciousness is the easiest process of mystic power; when one is actually situated on that path of devotional service, he is able to control the mind.
- I don't belong to this material world and so nice division, - either you call brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, or American, Indian. "No. Purely I am spirit soul, and my business is to serve Krsna." Then you will be able to control your senses.
Conclusion
To be able to control the senses is not merely a moral virtue but a spiritual necessity. Without it, there is no possibility of salvation or peace. However, this difficult task becomes easy through the mercy of the Supreme Lord and the practice of bhakti-yoga. As Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes, when one is actually situated in devotional service, they achieve the preliminary perfection of all yogic power—the ability to control the senses—automatically, paving the way for pure love of God.
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 Able to Control the Senses. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.