Chapter 6 Dhyana Yoga Verse 1-25

 

Chapter 6

Dhyana-yoga

Verse 1-25 

In chapter 6, the focus is on “Moderation and Perfection in Yoga”. In the first 9 verses advancement in Astanga yoga from beginning stage of Auruksa to Advanced Stage of Arudha is described.

 

Krsna described how to attain liberation by niskama-karma-yoga and also by astanga-yoga briefly (in 5.27-28).

 

In this chapter, Krsna describes astanga-yoga in greater detail, as a means to control the mind and the senses. Before practicing the advanced stages of astanga-yoga, one must be purified by the practice of nisama-karma-yoga.

 

However, asțanga-yoga is very difficult for people in general to perform, especially in this age of Kali. Thus before teaching astanga-yoga, the culmination of karma-yoga, Krsņa first praises niskama-karma-yoga in 6.1-6.2, because of its practicality.

 

In the first two verses, Krsna told that an astanga-yogi should not give up niskama-karma-yoga, and that sannyasa and yoga are same. So, should theastanga-yogi practice niskama-karma-yoga for his whole life? Krsna explains as below-

 

Verse 1

श्रीभगवानुवाच
अनाश्रित: कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति य: ।
स सन्न्यासी च योगी च न निरग्न‍िर्न चाक्रिय: ॥ १ ॥

śrī-bhagavan uvaca
anaśritaḥ karma-phalaṁ
karyaṁ karma karoti yaḥ
sa sannyasī ca yogī ca
na niragnir na cakriyaḥ

Translation

The Supreme Personality of Godhead declared: "The true mystic is not one who lights no fire and does no duty, but rather one who is unattached to the fruits of his labor and who works as he is obligated to do in the renounced order of life."

Purport

The Lord clarifies in this chapter that the eightfold yoga system's procedure is a way to master the mind and the senses. But this is an extremely tough task for individuals in general, and in the Age of Kali much more so. While in this chapter the eightfold yoga system is suggested, the Lord emphasizes that the practice of karma-yoga, that is, acting in Krsna awareness, is preferable. Everyone in this world works to support their families and their belongings, yet nobody works without some self-interest or prolonged personal enjoyment. Being in Krsna consciousness and not acting with the intention of reaping the benefits of labor is the standard of perfection.

Indeed One who desires practicing astanga yoga, should not suddenly give up his prescribed duties (Karma Yoga) that purify his heart. Although working, since a karma yogi renounces the results of his actions, he is called Sannyasi. and because his mind doesn’t dwell on the enjoyment  of sense objects, he is called a yogi.

Sometimes the sannyasis falsely believe that they have been freed from all material responsibilities and therefore stop offering fire offerings, known as agnihotra yajñas. In reality, however, they are self-serving because their ultimate aim is to unite with the impersonal Brahman. Though it transcends all earthly desires, such a desire is not without self-interest. In a same vein, the mystic yogi who abandons all worldly pursuits and performs the yoga system with half-open eyes longs for some fulfillment for himself. However, an individual functioning in Krsna consciousness acts in the interest of the totality, not their own. Self-satisfaction is not desired by a Krsna conscious individual. He is the epitome of a sannyasi, or flawless yogi, as his measure of achievement is Krsna satisfaction.

 

Verse 2

यं सन्न्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव ।
न ह्यसन्न्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन ॥ २ ॥

yaṁ sannyasam iti prahur
yogaṁ taṁ viddhi paṇḍava
na hy asannyasta-saṅkalpo
yogī bhavati kaścana

Translation

What is called renunciation you should know to be the same as yoga, or linking oneself with the Supreme, O son of Paṇḍu, for one can never become a yogi unless he renounces the desire for sense gratification.

Purport

The true definition of sannyasa-yoga, or bhakti, is knowing one's constitutional place as a living being and acting in accordance with that position. The living thing lacks a distinct, autonomous identity. He is the Supreme's marginal energy. He is conditioned when he is caught up in material energy; he is in his true and natural state of being when he is Krsna conscious, that is, when he is cognizant of the spiritual energy. Therefore, one gives up all material sense pleasure or renounces all forms of sense gratificatory activity when they reach complete awareness. The yogīs who practice this refrain the senses from attachment to material objects. However, a person in Krsna awareness is not able to use his senses for any activity that is not related to Krsna. As such, a Krsna conscious individual is both a yogī and a sannyasī at the same time. Krsna consciousness automatically serves the purposes of knowledge and restraint of the senses, as instructed in the jñana and yoga procedures. Jñana and yoga are useless if one cannot give up the activities of his selfish nature. The true goal is for a living thing to surrender all sense of self-gratification and become ready to appease the Almighty. Self-enjoyment of any kind is not desired by a Krsna conscious individual. He is constantly working for the Supreme's pleasure. No one can stand on the basis of inaction, thus one who lacks knowledge of the Supreme must be indulging in self-satisfaction. The practice of Krsna consciousness properly serves all purposes.

 

Verse 3

आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते ।
योगारूढस्यतस्यैव शम: कारणमुच्यते ॥ ३ ॥

arurukṣor muner yogaṁ
karma karaṇam ucyate
yogarūḍhasya tasyaiva
śamaḥ karaṇam ucyate

Translation

In the eightfold yoga method, work is considered the means for a beginner, and giving up all material activities is considered the means for an advanced practitioner.

Purport

The practice of uniting with the Absolute is known as yoga. It can be likened to a ladder leading to the pinnacle of spiritual realization. This ladder goes up to perfect self-realization in a pure spiritual life from the lowest material state of a living being. Different names are given to different parts of the ladder based on their respective elevations. The entire ladder, however, is known as yoga and can be further subdivided into three categories: jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga, and bhakti-yoga. The term yogarurukṣu stage refers to the base of the ladder, while yogaruḍha is the highest step.

Regarding the eightfold yoga system, initial attempts to practice various sitting postures (which are essentially physical exercises) and to enter into meditation through regulating principles of life are regarded as fruitful material activities. Achieving perfect mental equilibrium to control the senses is the goal of all such activities. A person who has mastered meditation stops engaging in any disruptive mental activity.

However, since a Krsna conscious person always thinks of Krsna, he is positioned from the start on the meditation platform. Additionally, since he is continuously serving Krsna, all material activities are regarded as having ceased.

 

     The eight limbs of Astanga Yoga are depicted in the flow chart

Mind control and detachment from sense objects are the requirements to come to the Yogarūdha stage. So in the next two verses, Krsna describes the importance of mind control and thus discourages Arjuna indicating the impracticality of the path.

 

Verse 4

यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्ज‍ते ।
सर्वसङ्कल्पसन्न्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते ॥ ४ ॥

yada hi nendriyartheṣu
na karmasv anuṣajjate
sarva-saṅkalpa-sannyasī
yogarūḍhas tadocyate

Translation

When someone gives up all material cravings and doesn't act out of sense gratification or partake in productive endeavors, they are considered elevated in the yoga community.

Purport

A person is content with himself when he is totally devoted to the transcendental loving service of the Lord; as a result, he is no longer involved in sense gratification or productive endeavors. Alternatively, since engagement is necessary for survival, one must be involved in sense gratification. One must constantly seek out self-centered or prolonged selfish activities in the absence of Krsna consciousness. However, a Krsna conscious individual can be completely detached from sense satisfaction by doing everything for the fulfillment of Krsna. A person lacking this realization has to instinctively strive to transcend worldly desires in order to reach the highest rung of the yoga ladder.

 

Verse 5

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् ।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन: ॥ ५ ॥

uddhared atmanatmanaṁ
natmanam avasadayet
atmaiva hy atmano bandhur
atmaiva ripur atmanaḥ

Translation

Instead of demeaning oneself, one must deliver himself with the aid of his mind. The conditioned soul's enemy and friend are the same entity—the mind.

Purport

The term atma refers to the body, mind, and soul, depending on the context. The mind and the conditioned soul play special roles in the yoga system. atma here refers to the mind, since the mind is the center of yoga practice. Controlling the mind and pulling it away from attachment to sense objects is the aim of the yoga system. This passage emphasizes the need to train the mind to the point where it can free the conditioned soul from ignorance. The mind and senses have an impact on a person in this material world. In actuality, the false ego, which seeks to rule the mind over material nature, is the reason why the pure soul is entangled in the material world. Thus, in order to save the conditioned soul, the mind must be trained to resist being drawn to the glitter of material existence. It is improper to lower oneself through an attraction to tangible objects. One gets more and more entangled in the material world the more sense objects attract them. Engaging the mind in Krsna consciousness at all times is the most effective way to untangle oneself. To emphasize this point—that is, that one needs to do this—we use the word "hi."

Verse 6

बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जित: ।
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत् ॥ ६ ॥

bandhur atmatmanas tasya
yenatmaivatmana jitaḥ
anatmanas tu śatrutve
vartetatmaiva śatru-vat

Translation

The mind is the greatest of allies for someone who has learned to control it, but it will always be the biggest foe of the person who hasn't.

Purport

The aim of eightfold yoga is to master the mind and make it an ally in carrying out the human mission. Doing yoga for show is just a waste of time if the mind is not in control. A person lacking mental control always has the greatest enemy, ruining both their life and its purpose. According to its constitution, the living thing has a duty to obey superior commands. Lust, rage, greed, illusion, and other such emotions must be obeyed as long as the mind is an unconquered enemy.

However, once the mind is subdued, one freely consents to follow the will of the Personality of Godhead, which exists as Paramatma in everyone's heart. A true yoga practitioner must first meet the Paramatma in the heart and then obey His teachings. Perfect surrender to the Lord's dictate comes naturally to one who embraces Krsna consciousness directly.

Verse 7

जितात्मन: प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहित: ।
शीतोष्णसुखदु:खेषु तथा मानापमानयो: ॥ ७ ॥

jitatmanaḥ praśantasya
paramatma samahitaḥ
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu
tatha manapamanayoḥ

Translation

The Supersoul is already accessible to someone who has conquered the mind because they have achieved serenity. Happiness and misery, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same to such a man.

Purport

In actuality, all living things are meant to obey the commands of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, also known as Paramatma, who resides in everyone's heart. Entangled in material activities is the mind tricked by the external, illusory energy. Thus, one should be deemed to have arrived at the destination as soon as they are able to control their mind through the use of one of the yoga systems. Following orders from superiors is mandatory. When one's thoughts are focused on the superior nature, they are left with no choice but to obey the Supreme. The mind has to concede to some higher authority and submit to it. Controlling the mind has the effect of making one automatically obey the Supersoul, or Paramatma. When a person attains this transcendental state simultaneously while in Krsna consciousness, they become immune to the dualities that arise in material existence, such as happiness and suffering, cold and heat, etc. This is absorption in the Supreme, or practical samadhi.

Verse 8

ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्‍तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रिय: ।
युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्ट्राश्मकाञ्चन: ॥ ८ ॥

jñana-vijñana-tṛptatma
kūṭa-stho vijitendriyaḥ
yukta ity ucyate yogī
sama-loṣṭraśma-kañcanaḥ

Translation

A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogi [or mystic] when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything – whether it be pebbles, stones or gold – as the same.

Purport

Without the realization of the Ultimate Truth, knowledge from books is meaningless. Krsna consciousness is the science of this Bhagavad-gīta. Nobody can achieve Krsna consciousness through ordinary scholarship alone. It takes luck to be in the company of someone who is fully aware of themselves. A person who is aware of Krsna has attained knowledge through the grace of Krsna, as they find fulfillment in offering pure devotional service. One becomes flawless through realized knowledge. One can stay steadfast in their beliefs through transcendental knowledge, but with only academic knowledge, one is susceptible to deception and confusion due to apparent contradictions. Since he has given himself over to Krsna, the realized soul is the one who possesses self-control in reality. He is not concerned with ordinary scholarship, which makes him transcendental. He considers mental speculation and common knowledge, which some may regard as valuable as gold, to be no more valuable than stones or pebbles.

Verse 9

सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु ।
साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते ॥ ९ ॥

suhṛn-mitrary-udasīna-
madhyastha-dveṣya-bandhuṣu
sadhuṣv api ca papeṣu
sama-buddhir viśiṣyate

Translation

When someone views mediators, envious people, pious people and sinners, neutral people, loving benefactors, and honest well-wishers with an equal mind, they are seen as even more evolved.

Verse 10

योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थित: ।
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रह: ॥ १० ॥

yogī yuñjīta satatam
atmanaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ
ekakī yata-cittatma
niraśīr aparigrahaḥ

Translation

A transcendentalist should live alone in a remote location, control his thoughts constantly, and always involve his body, mind, and self in relationship with the Supreme. He ought to be devoid of cravings and possessive thoughts.

Purport

Krsna is manifested in varying degrees as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Brahman, and Paramatatma. In a nutshell, Krsna consciousness is the state of constantly being involved in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. However, because the Supersoul is the all-pervasive partial expansion of Krsna and the impersonal Brahman is the spiritual ray of Krsna, those who are attached to either the localized Supersoul or the impersonal Brahman are also partially Krsna conscious. As a result, both the impersonalist and the meditator are Krsna conscious in an indirect way. The highest transcendentalist is someone who is directly Krsna conscious since they understand the meaning of Brahman and Paramatma. In contrast to the impersonalist and the meditative yogī, who are imperfectly Krsna conscious, he has perfect knowledge of the Absolute Truth.

All of these are, however, hereby directed to remain ever-present in their respective endeavors in order to eventually reach the pinnacle of perfection. A transcendentalist's first task is to constantly focus the mind on Krsna. It is important to never forget Krsna, even for a brief period of time. Samadhi, also known as trance, is the state of mind focused on the Absolute. One should always keep to themselves and stay away from outside distractions in order to focus their minds. When it comes to accepting or rejecting circumstances that could hinder his realization, he should exercise extreme caution. Furthermore, he should be completely determined to resist the need for needless material possessions that would make him feel possessive.

In direct Krsna consciousness, there is very little possibility of material possessiveness because direct Krsna consciousness implies self-abnegation. Therefore, all these perfections and precautions are perfectly carried out in this state.

 

A conscious Krsna person is never overcome with feelings of personal ownership because he is aware that everything is Krsna's. He doesn't yearn for anything on his own account as a result. He is aware of when to accept something that is beneficial to Krsna consciousness and when to reject something that is not. Because he is transcendental and always alone, he is always detached from material things and has no interaction with anyone who is not in Krsna consciousness. Thus, the ideal yogī is one who is in Krsna consciousness.

Verse 11 – 12

श‍ुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मन: ।
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥ ११ ॥
तत्रैकाग्रं मन: कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रिय ।
उपविश्यासने युञ्‍ज्याद्योगमात्मविश‍ुद्धये ॥ १२ ॥

śucau deśe pratiṣṭhapya
sthiram asanam atmanaḥ
naty-ucchritaṁ nati-nīcaṁ
cailajina-kuśottaram

tatraikagraṁ manaḥ kṛtva
yata-cittendriya-kriyaḥ
upaviśyasane yuñjyad
yogam atma-viśuddhaye

Translation

In order to perform yoga, find a quiet area, lay down some kuśa grass, and cover it with a soft cloth and a deerskin. The seat ought to be placed in a revered area and should not be elevated or lowered excessively. After that, the yogī should sit very firmly on it and do yoga to purify the heart by focusing the mind on one point and controlling the senses and activities.

Purport

Sites of pilgrimage are referred to as "sacred places." In India, the yogis, also known as transcendentalists or devotees, all leave their homes and live in holy locations like Prayaga, Mathura, Vṛndavana, Hṛṣikesa, and Hardwar. There, they practice yoga in seclusion by the sacred rivers Yamuna and Ganges. But, particularly for Westerners, this is frequently not feasible. The so-called yoga societies found in large cities may be effective in generating revenue, but they are completely unfit for the real practice of yoga. It is impossible to meditate if one's mind is not clear and self-controlled. Thus, it is stated in the Bṛhan-naradīya Puraṇa that chanting the holy name of the Lord is the most effective way to achieve spiritual realization in the Kali-yuga (the current yuga, or age), when people are generally short-lived, slow to achieve spiritual realization, and constantly troubled by various anxieties.

 Verse 13-14

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिर: ।
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥ १३ ॥
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थित: ।
मन: संयम्य मच्च‍ित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्पर: ॥ १४ ॥

samaṁ kaya-śiro-grīvaṁ
dharayann acalaṁ sthiraḥ
samprekṣya nasikagraṁ svaṁ
diśaś canavalokayan

praśantatma vigata-bhīr
brahmacari-vrate sthitaḥ
manaḥ saṁyamya mac-citto
yukta asīta mat-paraḥ

Translation

A person should maintain a straight posture with their head, neck, and body while maintaining a steady gaze at their nose tip. Thus, one should meditate upon Me within the heart and make Me the ultimate goal of life with an unagitated, subdued mind, free from fear, and totally free from sex life.

Purport

Knowing Krsna—the four-handed Viṣṇu form—inside the heart of every living thing is the ultimate purpose of life. The yoga process is not practiced for any other reason than to find and see this localized form of Viṣṇu. Within one's heart resides the plenary representation of Krsna, which is the localized viṣṇu-mūrti. A person who lacks a program to recognize this viṣṇu-mūrti is wasting his time and energy practicing mock yoga. The aim of yoga practice is the viṣṇu-mūrti, which is located in the heart, and Krsna is the ultimate goal of life. In order to achieve this viṣṇu-mūrti within the heart, one must practice total abstinence from sex; as a result, one must move out from home and live alone in a remote location while continuing to sit as previously mentioned. It is impossible to attend a purported yoga class and have sex on a daily basis, whether at home or elsewhere, and claim to be a yogī. It takes mental discipline to resist all forms of sensory pleasure, the most prominent of which is sex life.

No one can practice yoga correctly by indulging in sex. Thus, brahmacarya is taught from an early age, even before one is aware of the world of sex. Five-year-old children are sent to the guru-kula, or spiritual master's residence, where the master instructs the young boys in the rigorous discipline required to become brahmacarīs. No one can progress in any form of yoga, be it dhyana, jñana, or bhakti, without such practice. However, a brahmacarī is also someone who abides by the laws and norms of marriage, having sex only with his spouse (and that too under regulation).

The bhakti school might accept a householder brahmacarī who is so restrained, but the jñana and dhyana schools do not even accept householder brahmacarīs. They demand unwavering total abstinence without exception. A householder brahmacarī is permitted to have controlled sex in the bhakti school because the cult of bhakti-yoga is so potent that it causes one to automatically lose sexual attraction when one is engaged in the superior service of the Lord. A devotee of the Lord automatically refrains out of superior taste, while others are compelled to hold back from sense gratification. Not even the devotee knows anything about that superior taste.

Vigata-bhīḥ. Being in complete Krsna consciousness is the prerequisite for being fearless. A conditioned soul's perverted memory and forgetfulness of his eternal bond with Krsna are the reasons behind his fear.  Therefore, for someone who is Krsna conscious, perfect practice is achievable. Knowing the Lord within is the ultimate aim of yoga practice, so the best of all yogīs is already someone who is Krsna conscious. The popular so-called yoga societies do not follow the same principles as the yoga system discussed here.

 

Verse 15

युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानस: ।
शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ॥ १५ ॥

yuñjann evaṁ sadatmanaṁ
yogī niyata-manasaḥ
śantiṁ nirvaṇa-paramaṁ
mat-saṁstham adhigacchati

Translation

The mystic transcendentalist, with his mind under control, thus attains to the kingdom of God [or the abode of Krsna] by ceasing to exist in this material world by practicing constant control over his body, mind, and activities.

Purport

We now have a clear explanation of the ultimate purpose of practicing yoga. The goal of yoga practice is to facilitate the cessation of all material existence, not to achieve any kind of material facility. According to Bhagavad-gīta, a person who aims for material perfection or seeks to improve their health is not a yogī. Furthermore, it is a myth that ending one's physical existence means going into "the void." Nowhere in the Lord's creation is there a void. Instead, passing out of this life allows one to ascend into the spiritual sky, which is the Lord's dwelling place. The Bhagavad-gīta also makes it very evident that the Lord resides in a place where the sun, moon, or electricity are not necessary.

Like the sun in the material sky, all the planets in the spiritual kingdom are self-illuminating. The spiritual sky and its planets are referred to as paraṁ dhama, or superior abodes, even though the kingdom of God is everywhere.

 

As the Lord Himself states explicitly here (mat-cittaḥ, mat-paraḥ, mat-sthanam), an ultimate yogī who fully comprehends Lord Krsna can achieve true peace and ultimately arrive at His highest dwelling, Krsnaloka, also referred to as Goloka Vṛndavana. Goloka eva nivasaty akhilatma-bhūtaḥ is a clear statement found in the Brahma-saṁhita (5.37). It means that even though the Lord is constantly present in His dwelling, Goloka, He is also the all-pervading Brahman and the localized Paramatma due to His superior spiritual energies. Without the right knowledge of Krsna and His plenary expansion Viṣṇu, no one can enter the Lord's eternal abode (Goloka Vṛndavana) or the spiritual sky (Vaikuṇṭha). As a result, one who practices Krsna consciousness is the ideal yogī since his thoughts are constantly focused on Krsna's activities .  Put another way, the goal of the yoga system is not some magical juggling act or gymnastic feat to fool innocent people, but rather the achievement of freedom from material existence.

Verse 16

नात्यश्न‍तस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्न‍त: ।
न चातिस्वप्‍नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥ १६ ॥

naty-aśnatas tu yogo ’sti
na caikantam anaśnataḥ
na cati-svapna-śīlasya
jagrato naiva carjuna

Translation

O Arjuna, if one eats too much or too little, sleeps too much or not enough, then there is no chance of becoming a yogi.

Purport

Here, for the yogīs, diet and sleep regulation are advised. Overindulging in food refers to consuming more than what is necessary to maintain a healthy body and soul. Men don't need to consume animal products because there is an abundance of grains, fruits, vegetables, and dairy products. This kind of food is regarded by the Bhagavad-gīta as being in the mode of goodness. Food from animals is only fit for the ignorant. As a result, individuals who consume animal products, consume alcohol, smoke, or eat food that hasn't been offered to Krsna first will experience sinful reactions from consuming only contaminated food. Anyone who cooks for themselves and does not offer their food to Krsna, or who eats merely for sensual pleasure, is eating sin. Perfect yoga cannot be practiced by someone who indulges in sinful eating and overindulges in food. It is recommended to consume only the leftover food that was given to Krsna. When one is in Krsna consciousness, they do not eat anything that has not been offered to Krsna beforehand. Consequently, the only person who can achieve yoga practice perfection is the Krsna conscious one. Similarly, someone who fabricates their own fasting regimen or artificially skips meals cannot engage in yoga. The Krsna conscious individual observes fasting in accordance with the scriptural advice. He is able to do yoga because he does not fast or eat more than is necessary.

Overeating causes one to dream a lot while they sleep, which means they need to sleep longer than they should. No one should sleep for longer than six hours every day. A person who sleeps for more than six hours out of a twenty-four-hour day is undoubtedly affected by the ignorance mode. When someone is ignorant, they tend to be lethargic and oversleep. A person like that cannot practice yoga.

 

Verse 17

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्‍नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दु:खहा ॥ १७ ॥

yuktahara-viharasya
yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu
yukta-svapnavabodhasya
yogo bhavati duḥkha-ha

Translation

By using the yoga system, a person who maintains control over his eating, sleeping, recreational, and work habits can lessen the effects of all material suffering.

Purport

Excessive behavior related to eating, sleeping, defending, and mating—all bodily needs—can impede the progress of yoga practitioners. Consumption can only be controlled when it is a habit to take and accept prasadam, or sanctified food. Lord Krsna is offered grains, milk, vegetables, flowers, and fruits. In this sense, a person in Krsna consciousness automatically learns not to accept food that is not good or intended for human consumption. In terms of sleeping, any time spent sleeping is deemed a great loss because a Krsna conscious person is always alert in the performance of his duties in Krsna consciousness.

Avyartha-kalatvam: It is intolerable for a Krsna conscious individual to spend even a single minute of his life doing anything but serving the Lord. He doesn't sleep much as a result. In this regard, Śrīla Rūpa Gosvamī is his ideal because he was constantly serving Krsna and was only able to sleep for two hours a day, sometimes not even that. Ṩhakura Haridasa would not even accept prasadam or take a quick nap if he did not complete his daily practice of reciting 300,000 names with his beads. When it comes to work, a Krsna conscious person never does anything that is unrelated to Krsna's interests; as a result, his work is always controlled and free from sense gratification. For someone in Krsna consciousness, there is no material leisure because there is no question of sense gratification. Furthermore, he experiences no material suffering because all of his bodily functions—including work, speech, sleep, wakefulness, and other activities—are regulated.

 

Verse 18

यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते ।
निस्पृह: सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ॥ १८ ॥

yada viniyataṁ cittam
atmany evavatiṣṭhate
nispṛhaḥ sarva-kamebhyo
yukta ity ucyate tada

Translation

A person is considered well established in yoga when they have disciplined their mental activities and achieved transcendence, where they are free from all material desires. This is achieved through practicing yoga.

Purport

The primary way that the activities of a yogī differ from those of a regular person is their characteristic abstinence from all material desires, including sex. An ideal yogī is so disciplined in his mental activities that he is immune to the pull of material desires of any kind.

Such transcendent engagements are impractical unless the mind is fixed on the lotus feet of the Lord by constant remembrance. Therefore, these required activities in the devotional service of the Lord are known as arcana, or engaging all the senses in the service of the Lord. Engagements are necessary for the senses and the mind. Basic self-denial is impractical. Thus, transcendental engagement of the senses and the mind as described above is the ideal process for transcendental achievement, which is called yukta in the Bhagavad-gīta, for people in general, especially those who are not in the renounced order of life.

Verse 19

यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता ।
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मन: ॥ १९ ॥

yatha dīpo nivata-stho
neṅgate sopama smṛta
yogino yata-cittasya
yuñjato yogam atmanaḥ

Translation

The transcendentalist, whose mind is under control, is ever-steady in his meditation on the transcendent Self, just as a lamp in a windless place does not waver.

Purport

A genuinely Krsna conscious individual, perpetually engrossed in transcendence and engaged in uninterrupted meditation on his venerated Lord, remains as stable as a lamp in a place without wind.

 

Verse 20-23

यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया ।
यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ॥ २० ॥
सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद्‍बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् ।
वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वत: ॥ २१ ॥
यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं तत: ।
यस्मिन्स्थितो न दु:खेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते ॥ २२ ॥
तं विद्याद्दु:खसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम् ॥ २३ ॥

yatroparamate cittaṁ
niruddhaṁ yoga-sevaya
yatra caivatmanatmanaṁ
paśyann atmani tuṣyati

sukham atyantikaṁ yat tad
buddhi-grahyam atīndriyam
vetti yatra na caivayaṁ
sthitaś calati tattvataḥ

yaṁ labdhva caparaṁ labhaṁ
manyate nadhikaṁ tataḥ
yasmin sthito na duḥkhena
guruṇapi vicalyate

taṁ vidyad duḥkha-saṁyoga-
viyogaṁ yoga-saṁjñitam

Translation

By practicing yoga, one's mind is totally restrained from material mental activities, bringing one to the state of perfection known as trance, or samadhi. The capacity to see the Self with a pure mind and to enjoy and rejoice in the Self are qualities that define this perfection. One is situated in infinite transcendental happiness in that joyful state, which is realized through transcendental senses. Once one is established in this way, they never stray from the truth, and they believe there is no greater benefit after achieving it. When one is in this position, even in the most trying circumstances, one is unshakable. This is true freedom from all suffering brought on by physical contact.

Purport

Yoga gradually helps one to become disengaged from worldly notions. This is the yoga principle's principal feature. After that, a person enters a state of trance known as samadhi, in which the yogī, fearlessly identifying with the Superself, realizes the Supersoul through transcendental mind and intelligence. The Patañjali system serves as the foundation for yoga practice. Unauthorized commentators have attempted to link the individual soul with the Supersoul; monists interpret this as liberation, but they are unaware of the true intent behind the Patañjali system of yoga.

The Patañjali system acknowledges the existence of transcendental pleasure; however, the monists reject this notion, fearing it will undermine their theory of oneness. The nondualist rejects the duality of knowledge and knower, but in this verse, transcendental pleasure—realized through transcendental senses—is acknowledged.

There are two types of samadhi in the yoga system, referred to as samprajñata-samadhi and asamprajñata-samadhi, as explained in this chapter. A person is considered to have attained samprajñata-samadhi when, through a variety of philosophical investigations, they are placed in the transcendental position. When one achieves asamprajñata-samadhi, they transcend beyond all forms of happiness that come from their senses, so they are no longer connected to mundane pleasure.

Once the yogī finds himself in that transcendental pose, he never comes down from it. The yogī is not successful until he reaches this position. The modern "yoga practice," which incorporates many sensual experiences, is paradoxical. A yogī who indulges in drunkenness and sex is a joke. Not everyone who practices yoga is perfectly positioned, even those who are drawn to the siddhis (perfections) that arise during the practice. This verse says that yogīs cannot reach the state of perfection if they are drawn to the fruits of yoga. Hence, those who indulge in the pretend practice of siddhis or gymnastic feats should be aware that doing so defeats the purpose of yoga.

It is not confusing to learn that Krsna consciousness is the best yoga practice of this era. A Krsna conscious person is content with their work to the point where they don't pursue other happiness. There are numerous obstacles to practicing haṭha, dhyana, and jñana yoga, particularly in this hypocritical age, but karma or bhakti yoga poses no such difficulties.

One must satisfy the needs of the body, which include eating, sleeping, defending, and mating, for as long as the material body is alive. However, one in pure bhakti-yoga, that is, in Krsna consciousness, does not stimulate the senses while attending to bodily needs.

Instead, he makes the most of a bad deal by accepting life's basic needs and experiences transcendental bliss in Krsna consciousness. He is unaffected by unfavorable events, like mishaps, illnesses, shortages, and even the passing of a close relative, but he remains vigilant in carrying out his responsibilities in Krsna consciousness, also known as bhakti-yoga. Mishaps never stop him from doing his job. Bhagavad-gīta (2.14) states that agamapayino 'nityas taṁs titikṣasva bharata. He puts up with all of these unimportant events because he understands that they pass and have no bearing on his responsibilities. He reaches the pinnacle of yoga practice perfection in this way.

Verse 24

स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा ।
सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषत: ।
मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्तत: ॥ २४ ॥

sa niścayena yoktavyo
yogo ’nirviṇṇa-cetasa
saṅkalpa-prabhavan kamaṁs
tyaktva sarvan aśeṣataḥ

manasaivendriya-gramaṁ
viniyamya samantataḥ

Translation

It is important to practice yoga with commitment and faith, and to stay on the straight and narrow path. All material desires arising from mental speculation should be completely abandoned in order to gain mental control over all senses.

Purport

A determined and patient practitioner of yoga should pursue the practice without wavering. It is important to be confident in one's ability to succeed in the end and to pursue this path with great persistence, not giving up easily in the event that success is delayed. For the inflexible practitioner, success is guaranteed.

Regarding tenacity, one ought to emulate the sparrow that misplaced her eggs in the ocean's waves. A sparrow deposited her eggs on the ocean's shore, but the large body of water washed the eggs away with its waves. The sparrow was furious and begged the sea to give her eggs back. The sea didn't even think she was attractive. So the sparrow made the decision to dry up the sea.

As she started to identify the water in her tiny beak, people made fun of her impossibly strong resolve. As word of her activities spread, Lord Viṣṇu's enormous bird carrier, Garuḍa, finally heard of it. He saw the sparrow because he developed empathy for his smaller sister bird. The small sparrow's determination pleased Garuḍa, and he promised to assist. In order to avoid taking up the sparrow's task himself, Garuḍa immediately asked the ocean to return her eggs. This alarmed the ocean, which gave the eggs back. As a result, the sparrow found happiness through Garuḍa's grace.

Similar to this, practicing yoga, particularly bhakti-yoga in Krsna consciousness, may seem like an extremely challenging task. However, if someone applies the principles with a strong sense of resolve, the Lord will undoubtedly assist them, as God supports those who support themselves.

Verse 25

शनै: शनैरुपरमेद्‍बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया ।
आत्मसंस्थं मन: कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥ २५ ॥

śanaiḥ śanair uparamed
buddhya dhṛti-gṛhītaya
atma-saṁsthaṁ manaḥ kṛtva
na kiñcid api cintayet

Translation

One should gradually, step by step, become situated in a trance through intelligence sustained by complete conviction, at which point the mind should be fixed on the Self and nothing else.

Purport

With appropriate conviction and knowledge, one should progressively stop using senses. We refer to this as pratyahara. The mind should be in a trance, or samadhi, because it is controlled by conviction, meditation, and abstaining from the senses. There is no longer a risk of engaging in the material conception of life at that point. In other words, one should not consider sense gratification even though they are involved with matter as long as their physical body exists. Other than the pleasure of the Supreme Self, one should have no other thoughts of pleasure. Krsna consciousness can be directly practiced to reach this state with ease.

 

 

 

harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha

“In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.”