A Heart Fixed on the Lotus Feet – Engaging Our Mind in God
The mind is the architect of our consciousness and the driver of our physical actions. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the highest form of yoga is not a physical exercise but the constant engagement of the mind in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When the mind is allowed to roam among material sense objects, it becomes our greatest enemy; however, when it is anchored at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, it becomes our greatest ally and the cause of our liberation. This article examines the Lord's personal instructions on mental absorption, the practical example of Emperor Ambarīṣa, and the transformative power of keeping the mind perpetually "Kṛṣṇa-ized."
The Supreme Instruction of the Bhagavad-gītā
The conclusion of the Lord's teachings in the Bhagavad-gītā emphasizes the necessity of mental engagement. Kṛṣṇa directly commands Arjuna—and through him, all of humanity—to always engage the mind in thinking of Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this is the process of mayy āsakta-manāḥ; the mind must be the first thing engaged in Kṛṣṇa. By being completely absorbed in the Lord, offering obeisances, and worshiping Him, a person is guaranteed to cross over the ocean of nescience and reach the Supreme destination.
- At the conclusion of the Ninth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna directly says: "Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, offer obeisances and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me." - BG 9.34.
- 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."
- He who meditates on Me as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his mind constantly engaged in remembering Me, undeviated from the path, he, O Arjuna, is sure to reach Me.
- One has to understand actually what is Krsna in complete. If you want to know that, then this is the process, mayi, mayi asakta-manah, mayy asakta-manah (BG 7.1), the mind has to be engaged in Krsna, first thing is mind.
Fixing the Mind on the Lotus Feet
The example of Ambarīṣa Mahārāja is the authorized standard for how a devotee should utilize their faculties. Although he was a responsible king, he first and foremost engaged his mind on the lotus feet of Lord Kṛṣṇa (sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ). Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that because the mind is the center of the senses, fixing it on Kṛṣṇa ensures that all other organs—such as the voice and hands—are naturally engaged in service. This mental attitude prevents the living entity from being misdirected by the mind into material enjoyment and instead purifies the intelligence.
- Ambarisa Maharaja, who always engaged his mind on the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh - SB 9.4.18.
- Emperor Ambarisa adopted all the nine items (of devotion), and he attained perfect success. It was he who engaged his mind on the lotus feet of the Lord, his voice in describing the spiritual world, his hands in cleansing the temple of the Lord.
- In material, conditional existence, the living entity gives power of attorney to his mind. As such, he is liable to be misdirected by his mind into enjoying sense objects. Srila Ambarisa therefore first engaged his mind upon the lotus feet of the Lord.
- If the mind is engaged at the lotus feet of Lord Krsna (sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh (SB 9.4.18)), the senses are automatically engaged in the Lord's service.
Purification and the Topmost Yoga System
Genuine yoga is defined as indriya-saṁyamaḥ, or mind control. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that one cannot steadily control the fickle mind unless it is occupied in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. By chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa and engaging in the sixty-four items of devotional service—such as hearing, chanting, and eating prasādam—one becomes "Kṛṣṇa-ized." This process is superior to mechanical āsanas or breath control, as engaging the mind in the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa constitutes "perpetual prāṇāyāma." When the mind is thus engaged, there is no chance for material desire or the "lower propensities" to enter.
- The only process that will purify the mind is to engage it in Krsna. The mind must be engaged. If we engage our mind in Krsna, naturally the consciousness becomes fully purified, and there is no chance of the entrance of material desire and greed.
- If you simply engage your mind on the lotus feet of Krsna, that is perpetual pranayama. Not for one hour, two hour, or a minute.
- Here you will find the students, although they are not exercising the bodily asana, pranayama, it is automatically being done because the mind is the center of all activities. So mind is always engaged in Krsna. That is bhagavata-dharma.
- So many paraphernalia how to engage your mind. Hearing and chanting about Krsna, thinking of Krsna, worshiping Krsna, talking about Krsna, writing about Krsna, selling the books about Krsna, eating Krsna prasadam. In this way you become Krsna-ized.
Perfection at Life's End and Procreation
The state of our mind during critical life events determines our spiritual trajectory. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that one who fixes their mind on the Supreme Lord at the time of death will certainly attain Him. Furthermore, the Vedic system of garbhādhāna-saṁskāra emphasizes that if parents engage their minds in the lotus feet of the Lord during the begetting of a child, devotee children will naturally be born. By training the mind to be fearless of death and constant in remembrance, the living entity fulfills the real purpose of human life and secures an eternal position in the spiritual world.
- One who, at the time of death, fixes his life air between the eyebrows and in full devotion engages himself in remembering the Supreme Lord, will certainly attain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The recommendation of Rupa Gosvami for reviving our original Krsna consciousness is that somehow or other we should apply our minds to Krsna very seriously and thus also become fearless of death.
- When the parents engage their minds in the lotus feet of the Lord and in such a state the child is born, naturally good devotee children come; when the society is full of such good population, there is no trouble from demoniac mentalities.
Conclusion
Engaging the mind in God is the core of the bhakti process and the only way to achieve lasting peace. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions illuminate how the fickle mind can be harnessed and spiritualized through the simple yet profound act of constant remembrance. Whether we are householders aiming for devotee children or transcendentalists seeking liberation, the solution remains the same: fix the heart on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. By subduing the mind’s material attachments and absorbing it in the Lord’s name, form, and qualities, we cross the ocean of nescience and revive our original, eternal consciousness.
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 Engaging Our Mind in God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.