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ŚB 11.20.18

Devanagari

यदारम्भेषु निर्विण्णो विरक्त: संयतेन्द्रिय: ।
अभ्यासेनात्मनो योगी धारयेदचलं मन: ॥ १८ ॥

Text

yadārambheṣu nirviṇṇo
viraktaḥ saṁyatendriyaḥ
abhyāsenātmano yogī
dhārayed acalaṁ manaḥ

Synonyms

yadā — when; ārambheṣu — in material endeavors; nirviṇṇaḥ — hopeless; viraktaḥ — detached; saṁyata — completely controlling; indriyaḥ — the senses; abhyāsena — by practice; ātmanaḥ — of the soul; yogī — the transcendentalist; dhārayet — should concentrate; acalam — steady; manaḥ — the mind.

Translation

A transcendentalist, having become disgusted and hopeless in all endeavors for material happiness, completely controls the senses and develops detachment. By spiritual practice he should then fix the mind on the spiritual platform without deviation.

Purport

The inevitable result of material sense gratification is disappointment and pain that sears the heart. One becomes gradually hopeless and despondent in material life; then, receiving good instructions from the Lord or His devotee, one transforms one’s material disappointment into spiritual success. Actually, Lord Kṛṣṇa is our only true friend, and this simple understanding can bring one to a new life of spiritual happiness in the company of the Lord.