Kṛṣṇa-bhāvanāmṛta – The Scientific Method of Engaging Our Mind in Kṛṣṇa
The mind is the most powerful tool in the human condition, capable of being either a soul's best friend or its worst enemy. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the process of Kṛṣṇa-bhāvanāmṛta, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is the scientific method designed to harness this mental energy. By directing the mind toward the original, beautiful form of Kṛṣṇa, the practitioner bypasses the risks of mental concoction and material agitation. This article examines the Lord’s direct instructions for mental absorption, the practical application of chanting for mind control, and the transcendental platform achieved by those who dedicate their thoughts to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Direct Instruction of Bhagavad-gītā
At the conclusion of His core teachings, Lord Kṛṣṇa provides a simple yet profound instruction: to always engage the mind in thinking of Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that this is the process of man-manā bhava, where the living entity becomes completely absorbed in the Lord. This absorption is not a passive state but an active engagement of intelligence and faith. By following this instruction, Kṛṣṇa opens the door to His supreme planet, ensuring that anyone who remembers Him—especially at the time of death—will certainly attain Him.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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."
- 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 (Krsna) will certainly attain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Practical Example of Ambarīṣa Mahārāja
The life of Ambarīṣa Mahārāja serves as the perfect historical model for engaging the mind in Kṛṣṇa. Despite being a responsible monarch with many duties, he first and foremost fixed his mind on the lotus feet of the Lord (sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ). Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that this mental focus acted as a filter for his intelligence; by anchoring the mind first, his speech and bodily activities were automatically purified and dedicated to spiritual service. Following this example allows any devotee to rapidly revive their original consciousness.
- Ambarisa Maharaja, who always engaged his mind on the lotus feet of Lord Krsna. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh - SB 9.4.18.
- Ambarisa Maharaja, he set very nice example by engaging his mind always on the Lotus Feet of Krishna, and talking always about him. We should follow the same example.
- In the life of Maharaja Ambarisa, we find that the great Maharaja first engaged his mind on the lotus feet of Krsna. In this way his intelligence became purified. Maharaja Ambarisa also used his other senses in the service of the Lord.
- King Ambarisa first of all engaged his mind on the lotus feet of Lord Krsna; then, one after another, he engaged his words in describing the transcendental qualities of the Lord.
Chanting as Mind Control and Purification
The most effective tool for subduing the fickle mind is the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes this practice as "beating the mind" into control and as a form of "perpetual prāṇāyāma." When the mind is engaged in the holy name, the internal enemies—such as material desire and greed—do not have the opportunity to strike. This purification of the mind leads to the purification of the senses (kad-indriya); when the mind is occupied with Kṛṣṇa, the senses lose their power to pull the soul toward lower propensities, becoming as harmless as serpents with their fangs removed.
- Chanting the Hare Krsna mantra engages the mind at the lotus feet of Krsna constantly; thus the mind's enemies do not have a chance to strike.
- If by intelligence one engages one's mind in Krsna consciousness, even though the senses are very strong, like serpents, they will be no more effective than serpents with broken fangs.
- 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.
- The kad-indriya, or unpurified senses, can be purified if one engages the senses and the mind in Krsna consciousness. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalam - CC Madhya 19.170.
Transcendental Platform of Samādhi
To be always engaged in some activity connected with Kṛṣṇa is defined by Śrīla Prabhupāda as "actual samādhi." When the mind, speech, and energy are devoted to the service of Kṛṣṇa, the devotee transcends the platform of material nature (māyā). This state of liberation, or being a jīvan-mukta, is accessible even while living in the material world. By following the spontaneous love of the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana and keeping Kṛṣṇa within the mind like the sun, the darkness of ignorance is permanently dispelled.
- If we do not regulate our activities, our mind will be more and more agitated. It is not that activities are to be stopped, but regulated by the mind always engaged in Krsna consciousness. Being always engaged in some activity connected with Krsna is actual samadhi.
- If our mind, senses, speech, money and energies are thus engaged in the service of Krsna, then we are no longer in material nature. By virtue of spiritual consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, we transcend the platform of material nature.
- Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.2.187, "A person acting in the service of Krsna with his body, mind and words is a liberated person, even within the material world." Therefore, one is forbidden to regard the guru as an ordinary human being.
- We should always keep Krsna within our minds, for Krsna is like the sun. This is the motto of our Back to Godhead magazine (CC Madhya 22.31): krsna - surya sama, maya haya andhakara yahan krsna, tahan nahi mayara adhikara.
Conclusion
The scientific method of engaging the mind in Kṛṣṇa is the ultimate secret to human success. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions clarify that mind control is not achieved through the cessation of activity, but through the transformation of consciousness. By fixing the heart on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, the devotee subdues the restless mind, purifies their intelligence, and experiences a state of perpetual peace and liberation. Whether through chanting, hearing about Kṛṣṇa's activities, or following the example of great saints, the goal remains the same: to become "Kṛṣṇa-ized," thereby dispelling the darkness of māyā and returning to our original, eternal position.
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 Kṛṣṇa. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.