The Immediate Path to Liberation – Engaging Our Senses in God's Service
In the material world, the living entity is characterized by a constant struggle with the senses, which act as "poisonous snakes" pulling the soul toward temporary gratification. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only successful way to manage this struggle is through the art of sensory redirection. By engaging our senses in the service of the proprietor of the senses—Hṛṣīkeśa—we achieve a state of "locked up" protection where material contamination cannot enter. This article examines the technical definition of bhakti as sensory service, the immediate liberation that results from such engagement, and the method by which the Lord reveals Himself through our purified senses.
Hṛṣīkeṇa Hṛṣīkeśa-sevanam: The Technical Definition
The Narada-pancaratra defines bhakti as hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanam: serving the Master of the senses with our own senses. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that everyone in the material world is a servant of their senses (godāsa), but by applying the senses to Kṛṣṇa's service, one becomes a master of the senses (gosvāmī). This engagement is the natural, healthy condition of the soul. Unlike impersonalists who try to stop the senses through artificial means, the devotee purifies them by using them for the Supreme, thereby fulfilling the senses' original purpose.
- In the Narada-pancaratra it is said, hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate: (CC Madhya 19.170) the process of rendering favorable service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead with one's senses is called bhakti, or devotional service.
- Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate: (CC Madhya 19.170) bhakti, devotional service, simply means engaging our senses (hrsika) in the service of the master of the senses - hrsikesa.
- Actually the whole world is serving the senses, servant of the senses. Godasa. But if we engage the senses in the service of Krsna, then we shall no longer remain the servant of the senses. We shall be the master of the senses.
- Engagement of the purified senses in the service of the Lord is called bhakti. Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate. One may enjoy the senses for many thousands of years, but unless one purifies the senses, one cannot be happy.
Evidence of Immediate Liberation
Liberation is often thought of as a post-mortem state, but Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the very act of engaging the senses in Kṛṣṇa's service is evidence that one is liberated immediately. When we employ our spiritual senses in the service of the Lord, the actions and reactions of the gross and subtle bodies cease. Because the mind and intelligence are fixed on the Supreme, the devotee is no longer situated in material nature. This transcendental position is the most secure form of yoga, as there is no chance for the senses to be diverted toward matters other than the Lord.
- As soon as we employ ourselves in the service of the Lord, we are liberated immediately. There is no need to pass through some preliminary process. This very act of engaging one's senses in the service of the Lord is evidence that one is liberated.
- Devotional service means engaging the spiritual body and spiritual senses in the service of the Lord. When we are engaged in such activities, the actions and reactions of the gross and subtle bodies cease.
- The devotees in the Krsna consciousness movement move within this material world, but because their senses are fully engaged in the service of the Lord, they are always aloof from the material world. They are always living in a transcendental position.
- Because his (a Krsna conscious person's) mind is always fixed on Krsna, there is no chance of his being deviated from Krsna. Nor is there a chance that he will engage his senses in matters other than the service of the Lord.
Art of Sensory Protection and Purification
The material senses are inherently dangerous, often compared to poisonous snakes. However, when these senses are engaged in the service of the Lord, their "fangs" are removed. This means that while the senses still act, they no longer have the power to create material bondage or cause spiritual falldown. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this is achieved through arcana, or engaging the senses in practical tasks like cleansing the temple, decorating the Deity, or cooking for Kṛṣṇa. When the senses are "locked up" in such services, they have no opportunity to be contaminated by material infections.
- In the material condition, the senses are as strong as poisonous snakes. But when the senses are engaged in the Lord’s service, they are like poisonous snakes with their fangs removed, and so they are no longer dangerous.
- The devotee doesn’t have to control his senses, for his senses are already engaged in the Lord’s service. Consequently there is no possibility that the senses will act like serpents.
- If one is engaged in worshiping the Deity, cleansing the temple, decorating the Deity, cooking for the Deity, and so on, one's senses are already engaged in the service of the Absolute Truth, so where is the chance of their being diverted.
- Because your senses are engaged in the service of the Hrsikesa, the senses have no other opportunity to be engaged. Locked up.
Revelation Through Service
God is adhokṣaja, meaning He is beyond the reach of blunt material senses and mental manipulation. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that when the senses are favorably engaged in His service—beginning with the tongue—He reveals Himself to the devotee. This revelation is not something that can be forced; it is the Lord's response to the devotee's sincere attitude of service. By following the instructions of the authorities and engaging all ten senses and the mind in Kṛṣṇa's service, the practitioner moves from the darkness of māyā into the kingdom of God.
- Mind and sense manipulation can't reach Him. If you engage the senses in the service of the Lord, however, then He will reveal Himself through your senses.
- With our blunt eyes and other senses we cannot perceive the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if we engage our senses in the service of the Lord according to the instructions of the authorities, it will be possible to see Him.
- You cannot understand God by your present senses, kingdom of God. "But if you engage your service, beginning with the tongue, then God reveals." "God reveals" means He reveals His kingdom, He Himself.
- There are five senses by which we gather knowledge and five senses with which we work. These ten senses and the mind should be fully engaged in the Lord's service. Without engaging them in this way, one cannot get out of the clutches of maya.
Conclusion
Engaging the senses in the service of the Lord is the most direct and effective method for achieving spiritual perfection. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions demonstrate that we do not need to undergo elaborate preliminary processes or artificial sensory withdrawals to attain liberation. By simply redirecting our inherent sensory energy toward Kṛṣṇa, we are immediately freed from the bondage of the material modes. This active dedication transforms the dangerous material senses into transcendental instruments, allowing the devotee to live in a state of perpetual samādhi and paving the way for the ultimate revelation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
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 Senses in God's Service. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.