Shikshak Digital Publishing - Spiritual Music and Devotional Content
Back to Blog

Bhaja Govindam: The First Three Slokas and Introspection

January 18, 2026
Shikshak Content Board
8 minute read
Section 4 of 6

Śloka 3: Sensual Desire and Mindful Reflection

नारीस्तनभर… मनसि विचिन्तय वारं वारम् The third śloka addresses sensual desire, one of the most subtle and persistent forms of human attachment. Śaṅkara instructs the seeker to reflect repeatedly on the body's material nature—flesh, blood, and impermanence—when encountering objects of desire. **Philosophical perspective:** This is a direct application of Viveka (discrimination) and Vairāgya (detachment). By contemplating the transient, impure nature of sensory objects, one can weaken the mind's habitual attachment (māga-mohāveśa). **Connection with Ślokas 1 & 2:** Intellectual pride, greed, and sensual attachment together constitute the main forms of human delusion (moham). The first three ślokas thus map the triad of worldly illusions and the antidotes for each: devotion, ethical use of resources, and mindful reflection. **Practical insight:** In contemporary life, sensual distractions are everywhere. This verse is a timeless reminder that mindful observation and reflection can curb desire and bring the mind back to higher ideals.