First-class Yoga
Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.31
Bombay, January 8, 1975
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Nitai: "Egoism in the mode of passion
produces two kinds of senses -- the senses for acquiring knowledge and the
senses of action. The senses of action depend upon the vital energy, and the
senses for acquiring knowledge depend upon intelligence."
Prabhupada:
taijasanindriyany eva
kriya-jnana-vibhagasah
pranasya hi kriya-saktir
buddher vijnana-saktita
[SB 3.26.31]
We have to see how wonderfully the subtle actions are described in Sankhya philosophy by Kapiladeva. There are many modern psychologist, scientist, physicist, but they cannot analyze the subtle function that is going on, creating things as they are. Superficially we can see, but how things are taking place, that can be described in the Vedic literatures, not any other book. Therefore it is said, vidya bhagavatavadhih: "One who has studied Srimad-Bhagavatam thoroughly, he has seen the end of knowledge." And actually, Srimad-Bhagavatam is the commentary or explanation on the Vedanta-sutra. Vyasadeva made Vedanta-sutra, the ultimate knowledge, and he made his comment also, natural commentary. That is Srimad-Bhagavatam. At the end of every chapter of Srimad-Bhagavatam you will find, brahma-sutrasya bhasya: "It is the natural comment of Brahma-sutra." So if we study Srimad-Bhagavatam very thoroughly and specifically from a person bhagavata, then our life is successful. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18]. That is the instruction, nityam.
Just like here we are having Bhagavata class. This is not ordinary Bhagavata class, not jumping over Krsna's rasa-lila. It is not like that. It is step by step studying what is Krsna, what is this material world, what is the sambandha, or relationship with Krsna -- so many things -- how this body has developed, how we have forgotten Krsna, how to revive our Krsna consciousness. These things must be studied first of all. Then we can understand what is Krsna's pastimes with the gopis. But these professional Bhagavata preachers, they go, jump over at once. Because it appears like the dealings of young boys and girls, so that is the... Here in this material world, sex impulse... Here in this material world, sex impulse is the center of all activity. Yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham kanduyanena karayor iva duhkha-duhkham [SB 7.9.45]. People are working so hard day and night. What is their happiness? The happiness is sex. That's all. That has been described as tuccham, most abominable. Yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham. Atah grha-ksetra-sutapta-vittair janasya moho 'yam aham mameti [SB 5.5.8].
So we are not aware what is the aim of life. So Krsna is very kind. He therefore comes. He came just before the beginning of this Kali-yuga, the most fallen age, and left for us the Bhagavad-gita. And then, after Him, after His departure... It is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, "After departure of Krsna from this planet to His own abode, the principle of religion and knowledge, where it is kept?" So the answer is: "It is kept in the Srimad-Bhagavatam." Adhuna udita. So Krsna is nondifferent from Bhagavad-gita as it is spoken by Him personally, and He is also represented by Srimad-Bhagavatam, sound representation. So we should take the advantage of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. They are krsna-katha, krsna-katha. Krsna-katha means news or words about Krsna, or Krsna's katha, the words given by Krsna. That is Bhagavad-gita, krsna-katha, Krsna's words. And Srimad-Bhagavatam means words for Krsna. Both of them are krsna-katha, or krsna-upadesa, instruction by Krsna.
So here is... Kapiladeva is giving instruction, how things have developed one after another from Krsna, from Kapiladeva. Kapiladeva and Krsna, there is no difference. You read the purport.
Nitai: "It has been explained in the previous verses that mind is the product of ego in goodness and that the function of the mind is acceptance and rejection according to desire. But here intelligence is said to be the product of ego in passion. That is the distinction between mind and intelligence; mind is a product of egoism in goodness, and intelligence is a product of egoism in passion. The desire to accept something and reject something is a very important factor of the mind. Since the mind is a product of the mode of goodness, if it is fixed upon the Lord of the mind, Aniruddha, then the mind can be changed to Krsna consciousness."
Prabhupada: Yes, here is the secret of training the mind. The whole yoga system, astanga-yoga system -- dhyana, dharana, asana, pranayama, like that -- they are meant for only controlling the mind. Mind is the center of sensual activities. The purpose of astanga-yoga is to train up the mind because the mind is very restless. Arjuna, five hundred years ago, he also appreciated, the mind is very restless. So he declined to practice the hatha-yoga system. He said clearly that "Krsna, it is not possible for me to control the mind." In another place in the Bhagavad-gita it is said, "The mind is the most dearmost friend, and mind is the bitterest enemy." Everyone's bitterest enemy and dearest friend is there. That is the mind. It requires little training.
For training the mind, this yoga system is. Those who are too much engrossed in the bodily concept of life, for them, this yoga system, astanga-yoga system, is recommended by practicing a certain type of asana and making a type of exercise of the breathing, in this way, pranayama, dhyana, dharana, asana, pranayama. But there is another simple method that is recommended in the sastra. You can train up your mind if you simply keep your mind on the lotus feet of Krsna. Krsna is here, and you see Krsna's lotus feet, and if you practice to meditate upon Krsna's lotus feet, Krsna's bodily feature, then immediately your mind becomes controlled. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh [SB 9.4.18]. Ambarisa Maharaja, he was the emperor of the world. He had to manage many political affairs. But he was one of the topmost devotees at the same time. Why? Because... About him it is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that he practiced this yoga system, the topmost yoga system. What is that? Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh: "He kept always his mind at the lotus feet of Krsna." And his legs engaged for going... He was king, emperor. He had no business to go. But still, he was using his legs to go to the temple. This is this yoga system. You employ your senses. Instead of going to the cinema and standing there for three hours for a ticket, if you engage your legs to come to this temple, it is yoga system, so simple thing. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayoh. Instead of thinking some beautiful woman or beautiful man, if you think of Krsna, the most beautiful person, then it is yoga system, so simple.
So every senses you can engage in Krsna's service. Just we have got senses, ten senses, and the mind. So mind engaged in Krsna, legs engaged for going to the temple, hands engaged for cleansing the temple, nose engaged for smelling the flower offered to Krsna or tulasi offered to Krsna, tongue to taste Krsna's prasadam, hear Hare Krsna mantra -- in this way, you can engage all the senses. There is no need of education. There is no need of passing M.A., Ph.D. You practice this simple yoga system. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane [SB 9.4.18]. Ambarisa Maharaja used to do that. Vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane. You have to talk, but don't talk nonsense. But you engage your talking about Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, vaikuntha. Vaikuntha means without any kuntha, without any anxiety. Other talking, you will have so many anxieties because that is not vaikuntha talking. But if you engage your talking on the subject matter of Krsna... Krsna is talking. Krsna is not dumb, deaf and dumb, nirakara. No. He is talking before Krsna, aham adir hi devanam [Bg 10.2], aham: "Here I am. I am the origin of all the devas." So Krsna is talking like that. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te [Bg. 7.14]. He is talking. Man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah: "Just think of Me, become My devotee." He is stressing everywhere, a person, mama, "unto Me," "My," "I," the first person, everywhere. Aham adir hi devanam. Aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate [Bg. 10.8]. So these are the talking of Krsna. Krsna is talking. So you take up this message from Krsna directly and engage like that, vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane. Don't talk nonsense. Or if you talk of Krsna, then nonsense talking will stop automatically.
Now you know that in our institution there are so many European boys and girls. In their own country they are very, very much fond of newspaper. If there is no newspaper, they think life is horrible. But you won't find a piece of newspaper in our temple, because they have stopped talking all nonsense. Only this Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavata. This is called vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane. They are no more interested with this nonsense talking of the newspaper. Vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane. This is advancement of spiritual life. I have heard one story from a gentleman, how newspaper is important in Western country. We have seen also big, big bunch of newspaper thrown in every door. They subscribe. So one priest was preaching among the miners in Sheffield, where there are many coal mines, in England. So he was speaking that "You become devotee, followers of Jesus Christ," and in this way he's preaching Bible. So one of the miners, he never heard of Bible nor Jesus Christ. So he inquired, "What is his number?" That means he thought Christ may be one of the miners, and they have got specific number. So he said, "No, you are mistaking. Jesus Christ is Lord. He is not one of you, like worker, no. He's Lord. So if you don't appreciate him, don't worship him, then you will go to hell." Then another man asked, "What is hell?" And he described that "Hell is very dark. It is very moist," and so on. "There is no air there, no light, and..." So they are living always in the mine. There was no response, because they are habituated with this hellish life. (laughing) So the description of hell did not appeal. Then the priest was intelligent, said, "You know, there is no newspaper." Then they said, "Oh, horrible!" (laughter) "It is horrible."
So that newspaper is so important in the Western countries. Even the miners and the most fallen people, they also read newspaper. And these boys and girls who you are seeing, not only here, there also, they don't care any more for any newspaper, any magazine, except Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is a fact. This is Krsna consciousness. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane [SB 9.4.18].
So this is... If we simply do these things, that vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane, this Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, description of Vaikuntha, the transcendental life where there is no anxiety... That is Vaikuntha. So Vaikuntha... God's name is also Vaikuntha. In southern India they say, Venkatesvara. That is apabhramsa of Vaikunthesvara. They say Venkatesvara. But Vaikunthesvara. Vaikuntha, the spiritual world, and the master of the Vaikuntha, He is called Venkatesvara or Vaikunthesvara. So in this way we can train up ourself. Keep your mind always thinking of Krsna, as Krsna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah. Then you become gradually the first-class yogi. You don't require to make any exercise. The everything will be done automatically. Krsna will give you intelligence. As you concentrate your mind on Krsna's lotus feet, immediately you become qualified to talk with Krsna immediately. That is said by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita. Tesam satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam, buddhi-yogam dadami tam [Bg. 10.10]. So Krsna is there within your heart, and as soon as you engage yourself in the service of Krsna, beginning with sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane [SB 9.4.18] concentrating your mind, that is the yoga system.
Meditation means to concentrate the mind on the lotus feet of Krsna, not something fictitious, but this is tangible. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah [SB 12.13.1]. That is the yoga practice of meditation, but not that he, the yogi, does not know what he is thinking. That is not yoga. This is simply show. Real yoga is to meditate upon the lotus feel of Krsna. That is real yoga. Dhyanavasthita. Dhyana. Dhyana means meditation. So they sit down in dhyana. What is the subject matter of dhyana? The subject matter of dhyana is the lotus feet of Krsna or Visnu. That is dhyana, dhyana-yoga. That is... Then you get yogic perfection. And Krsna recommends in the Bhagavad-gita how first-class yoga is thinking of Krsna:
yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gatenantar-atmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah
[Bg. 6.47]
The first-class yogi is...
So actually it is so. As soon as you contact the Supreme, yoga... Yoga means contact, and another meaning, everyone knows, in mathematics, yoga: one plus one equal to two. And viyoga: one minus one equal to zero. Viyoga, vi-yoga, discontact, and contact. So we are now separated. Separated superficially . "What is God? I don't care for God. I am God, this, that." Therefore, yoga system is required to connect again your relation, reestablish. It is not broken. It is exactly like that: a boy is away from home for many, many years, so he is now separated or discontact. But immediately he can contact by remembering his father, mother, family, immediately. Immediately the relationship is revived. So yoga system means from time immemorial we have forgotten Krsna, or God. This is our position. Krsna bhuli' sei jiva anadi-bahirmukha [Cc. Madhya 20.117]. Because we have forgotten Krsna, anadi, before creation, therefore I am looking after external things for my happiness. Bahir-artha-maninah.
Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum, bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. Bahir-artha-maninah, those who have been captured by this external energy, maya, material world, they do not know what is their actual interest. The interest is to revive again his relationship with the Supreme Lord, Visnu. Na te viduh. They do not know it. And,
na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum
durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah
andha yathandhair upaniyamanas
te 'pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah
[SB 7.5.31]
Andha, the leaders of this class of man, they are also blind. We are blind, and the leaders, so-called leaders, he also does not know what is the aim of life. And they are misleading us in so many ways by so-called political emancipation, this party, that party, but they do not know actually what is the aim of life. Therefore they are andhas. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanah. And we are also andhas. So andha leading andha. So how there can be any peace and prosperity? Therefore the whole world is unhappy, chaotic condition, and everyone is manufacturing his own way of life to become happy. But they are not becoming happy because they do not know what is the aim of life. This is the position.
So this Krsna consciousness movement is at least trying to give the people what is the aim of life, how he can be happy, how he can regain his eternal position of blissful life. These are the things. And they are authorized. What we are presenting, that is nothing manufactured by concoction of the brain. No. It is all authorized, all authorized. So if we take advantage of this movement, then we become happy, we become in the perfect knowledge, blissful life, even in this life, and next life you go back to home, back to Godhead.
Thank you very much. (end)
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
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