FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.62

स्तम्भयन्नात्मनात्मानं यावत्सत्त्वं यथाश्रुतम् । न शशाक समाधातुं मनो मदनवेपितम् ॥ ६२ ॥
stambhayann ātmanātmānaṁ
[stambhayann aatmanaatmaanam]
yāvat sattvaṁ yathā-śrutam
[yaavat sattvam yathaa-shrutam]
na śaśāka samādhātuṁ
[na shashaaka samaadhaatum]
mano madana-vepitam
[mano madana-vepitam]
stambhayan — trying to control ātmanā — by the intelligence ātmānam — the mind yāvat sattvam — as far as possible for him yathā-śrutam — by remembering the instruction (of celibacy, brahmacarya, not even to see a woman) na — not śaśāka — was able samādhātum — to restrain manaḥ — the mind madana-vepitam — agitated by Cupid or lusty desire.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
stambhayann ātmanātmānaṁ
stambhayan
trying to control
ātmanā
by the intelligence
ātmānam
the mind
yāvat sattvaṁ yathā-śrutam
yāvat sattvam
as far as possible for him
yathā-śrutam
by remembering the instruction (of celibacy, brahmacarya, not even to see a woman)
na śaśāka samādhātuṁ
na
not
śaśāka
was able
samādhātum
to restrain
mano madana-vepitam
manaḥ
the mind
madana-vepitam
agitated by Cupid or lusty desire.
As far as possible he patiently tried to remember the instructions of the śāstras not even to see a woman. With the help of this knowledge and his intellect, he tried to control his lusty desires, but because of the force of Cupid within his heart, he failed to control his mind.

Unless one is very strong in knowledge, patience and proper bodily, mental and intellectual behavior, controlling one’s lusty desires is extremely difficult. Thus after seeing a man embracing a young woman and practically doing everything required for sex life, even a fully qualified brāhmaṇa, as described above, could not control his lusty desires and restrain himself from pursuing them. Because of the force of materialistic life, to maintain self-control is extremely difficult unless one is specifically under the protection of the Supreme Personality of Godhead through devotional service.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Though trying to stop his mind by intelligence, as he had been instructed, using the steadiness in dharma and knowledge that he had, he was not able to control his mind, which was agitated by lust. Ātmaṇam means mind. Sattvam means determination. Śrutam means knowledge.
Ajāmila tried to remember scriptural injunctions and rein in his lust with intellect, but Cupid's force in the heart was stronger. Knowledge and willpower alone cannot defeat lust — only shelter in devotional service can.
Reflection Questions
  • Where am I relying purely on willpower against an enemy that has already defeated stronger people?
  • What devotional shelter could I take that would actually neutralize the force of desire, not just oppose it?
📝 My note

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