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Real yoga practice is to control the senses and, after…

“Real yoga practice is to control the senses and, after such control is established, to concentrate the mind on the Nārāyaṇa form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Lord Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead, and all the other Viṣṇu forms – with four hands decorated with…” quote by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
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““Real yoga practice is to control the senses and, after such control is established, to concentrate the mind on the Nārāyaṇa form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Lord Kṛṣṇa is the original Personality of Godhead, and all the other Viṣṇu forms – with four hands decorated with conch, lotus, club and wheel – are plenary expansions of Kṛṣṇa. In Bhagavad-gītā it is recommended that one meditate upon the form of the Lord. To practice concentration of the mind, one has to sit with the head and the back in a straight line, and one must practice in a secluded place, sanctified by a sacred atmosphere. The yogī should observe the rules and regulations of brahmacarya – to strictly live a life of self-restraint and celibacy. One cannot practice yoga in a congested city, living a life of extravagancy, including unrestricted sex indulgence and adultery of the tongue. Yoga practice necessitates controlling the senses, and the beginning of sense control is to control the tongue. One who can control the tongue can also have control over the other senses. One cannot allow the tongue to take all kinds of forbidden food and drink and at the same time advance in the practice of yoga. It is a very regrettable fact that many unauthorized so-called yogīs come to the Western countries and exploit people’s inclination towards yoga practice. Such unauthorized yogīs even dare to say publicly that one can indulge in the habit of drinking and at the same time practice meditation.””

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Yoga requires mastering the senses, especially the tongue, and focusing the mind on Krishna as the supreme form, practiced in a disciplined, pure environment.

In simple terms: Control senses, focus on Krishna, live disciplined.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate self‑restraint and focused meditation.

Themes

self‑discipline spiritual focus purity mindfulness

Mood

reflective serene inspirational

Type

philosophical spiritual instructional

When to use this quote

  • daily meditation
  • retreats
  • celibate lifestyle
  • ethical living

Key Concepts

bhakti sensory control meditative posture

Questions to Reflect On

  • Can you identify which senses you struggle to control?
  • How might a quiet space improve your practice?
A Different Perspective

Modern life’s distractions and lax attitudes can undermine the strict conditions described.

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