Fixing the Mind on Kṛṣṇa - The Highest Samādhi
The ultimate goal of all mental discipline and spiritual practice is to achieve unwavering concentration on Śrī Kṛṣṇa, the original, personal form of Godhead. This focus transforms the mind from a turbulent, agitating force into a perfect instrument of the soul, providing the highest happiness and guaranteed liberation. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the most effective and simple process for this singular fixation.
Supreme Directive - Man-manā Bhava
The simple, yet all-encompassing, instruction given by the Lord is to always think of Me (man-manā bhava). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this means engaging the entire subtle body—mind and intelligence—exclusively in Kṛṣṇa, simultaneously carrying out all prescribed duties. This direct surrender is the only means to attain the Lord without doubt.
- One who restrains his senses and fixes his consciousness upon Me (Krsna) is known as a man of steady intelligence.
- Arjuna, you should always think of Me (Krsna) in the form of Krsna and at the same time carry out your prescribed duty of fighting. With your activities dedicated to Me and your mind and intelligence fixed on Me, you will attain Me without doubt.
This process is the real perfection of yoga because it fixes the fickle mind by force upon the Supreme Lord.
Engagement of Senses and Mind
The fixation of the mind on Kṛṣṇa is not passive; Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that it requires active engagement of the senses. This includes chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, hearing His glories, and utilizing all our assets—body, mind, and words—in His service. As demonstrated by Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, fixing the mind on Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet (sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ) naturally controls the external activities of all the other senses.
- The Krsna consciousness movement, the technique, is that you may be engaged in various types of work, but the mind must be always fixed up in Krsna. That art you have to learn. How it is possible? It is possible.
- The restlessness or fickleness of the mind (mano-vega) is controlled when one can fix his mind on the lotus feet of Krsna.
Highest Samādhi
According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, the result of fixing the mind on Kṛṣṇa is the attainment of the highest happiness, spiritual liberation, and nirvikalpa-samādhi (trance without change). When the mind is fixed, the devotee achieves śānta-rasa (peaceful neutral devotion) and is immediately freed from the disturbances of māyā and the pains of dualities.
- The yogi whose mind is fixed on Me (Krsna) verily attains the highest happiness. By virtue of his identity with Brahman, he is liberated; his mind is peaceful, his passions are quieted, and he is freed from sin.
- Wherever Krsna is, there also are Srimati Radharani, the gopis, the cowherd boys and all the other inhabitants of Vrndavana. Thus as soon as one fixes Krsna in his mind, his mind becomes identical with Vrndavana.
Conclusion
The three articles - Fixing the Mind Through Bhakti-yoga, Fixing the Mind on God Through Personal Devotion and Fixing the Mind on Krsna – The Highest Samadhi - establish a clear progression: one must control the restless mind, that control must be fixed on the personal form of God, and the supreme object of that fixation is Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that by fixing the mind on Kṛṣṇa's form, name, and service, the devotee achieves the goal of all spiritual endeavor in this very 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 Fixing the Mind on Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.