indriyāṇāṁ hi caratāṁ
yan mano 'nuvidhīyate
tad asya harati prajñāṁ
vāyur nāvam ivāmbhasi
yan mano 'nuvidhīyate
tad asya harati prajñāṁ
vāyur nāvam ivāmbhasi
Synonyms
indriyāṇām-of the senses; hi-certainly; caratām-while herding over; yat-that; manaḥ-mind; anuvidhīyate-becomes constantly engaged; tat-that; asya-his; harati-takes away; prajñām-intelligence; vāyuḥ-wind; nāvam-a boat; iva-like; ambhasi-on the water.
Translation
As a boat on the water is swept away by a strong wind, even one of the senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a man's intelligence.
Purport
Unless all of the senses are engaged in the service of the Lord, even one of them engaged in sense gratification can deviate the devotee from the path of transcendental advancement. As mentioned in the life of Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, all of the senses must be engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, for that is the correct technique for controlling the mind.