First-class yogi (Lectures)

Expressions researched:
"first class yogi" |"first-class yogi" |"first-class yogis"

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Lecture on BG 2.3 -- London, August 4, 1973:

When the senses are engaged only for the service of Kṛṣṇa, Hṛṣīkeśa, then there is no need of practicing yoga. Automatically they are locked up in the service of Kṛṣṇa. They have no other engagement. That is the highest. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntarātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

"A first-class yogi is he who is always thinking of Me." Therefore this chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, if we simply chant and hear, the first-class yogi. So these are the process. So Kṛṣṇa wants to Arjuna that "Why you are indulging in this weakness of mind? You are under My protection. I am ordering you to fight. Why you are denying?" This is the purport.

Lecture on BG 2.11 -- Rotary Club Address -- Hotel Imperial, Delhi, March 25, 1976:

Any yogi... There are different varieties of yogis. So of all the yogis, the bhakti-yogī who is thinking of Kṛṣṇa within the mind, he is the first-class yogi. So in our movement we are creating first-class yogis because they are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. So this is directly to create first-class yogis. Yoginām api sarveṣām.

Lecture on BG 2.24 -- Hyderabad, November 28, 1972:

Yoga means to meditate upon Viṣṇu. That was possible in the Satya-yuga. Just like Vālmīki. He meditated for sixty-thousands of years, and became perfect. So who is going to live for sixty-thousand years? So it is not possible. So therefore Kṛṣṇa, to encourage him... Actually, the purpose of yoga, He explained to Arjuna,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

First-class yogi. Who? Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā. Who is thinking of, always of Me, Kṛṣṇa."

Lecture on BG 2.24 -- Hyderabad, November 28, 1972:

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is educating people to become first-class yogi. Think of Kṛṣṇa. Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. It is not bogus thing. It is actual fact. You can become yogi. You can become Brahman.

Lecture on BG 2.30 -- London, August 31, 1973:

So if you always think of Kṛṣṇa... That is Kṛṣṇa's instruction also. Manmanā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru (BG 18.65). "Always think of Me." That is the first-class yogi, who thinks of Kṛṣṇa always. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā bhajate yo māṁ sa me yuktatamo mataḥ (BG 6.47). He's first-class yogi. And devotee is. We already... Otherwise, why he should think of Kṛṣṇa? Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī. One, only bhaktas can think of Kṛṣṇa always. Man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ. "Because you are My bhakta your duty is to think of Me always." Is it very difficult task?

Lecture on BG 3.27 -- Madras, January 1, 1976:

Prabhupāda: We are not concerned with others. We are pushing on... Kṛṣṇa consciousness means our mission is to present before you what Kṛṣṇa says. That's all. We are not concerned what other says. We are not con...

Indian (13): Lord Kṛṣṇa (indinstinct) by meditation?

Prabhupāda: Yes, there is in the sixth chapter. Mat-para. And he has explained,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

That is first-class yogi who is always thinking, "Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare." He is first-class yogi.

Lecture on BG 4.1 -- Montreal, August 24, 1968:

Prabhupāda: Then yoginām api sarveṣām. Here He recommends that you become a yogi. And who is the perfect yogi, topmost yogi? That is explained in the next verse:

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

He is the highest yogi. This is yoga. Who is always constantly thinking of Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, he is the first-class yogi.

Indian: This is the conclusion of the whole of Gītā.

Prabhupāda: It is the conclusion of whole Bhagavad-gītā. Yes. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru (BG 18.65). It is very simple thing.

Lecture on BG 4.9 -- Bombay, March 29, 1974:

Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has taught that our tongue is very fastidious, wants to eat this thing, that thing, this thing, that thing. Even after... We have seen. He has eaten sumptuously at home but as soon as he comes out, "Let us go to the restaurant, let us have a cup of tea, a little this or that." The tongue is always dictating. "You eat this, you eat that, you eat that, you like that." That is going on. So if you want to control your tongue, then give him Kṛṣṇa prasādam. That "I'll not accept anything which is not offered to Kṛṣṇa." Then your tongue becomes controlled. And if you can control your tongue, your other senses will be automatically controlled. And yogic perfection means controlling the senses. Yoga indriya-samyamaḥ. So a devotee of Kṛṣṇa is the first-class yogi. That is accepted by Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture on BG 4.11 -- Geneva, June 1, 1974:

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is teaching everyone to become the first-class yogi. This movement is giving everyone the chance of chanting this Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, which means always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. As soon as you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and if you hear—the chanting process is you chant and hear—then immediately you become in the samādhi state, absorbed in Kṛṣṇa. This is not our manufactured way. It is all authorized by the Vedic scripture.

Lecture on BG 4.11 -- Geneva, June 1, 1974:

Therefore our request is that if you want to become first-class yogi according to the authorized statement of Vedas, then you take to this mahā-mantra, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare. The chanting, the purpose of chanting is that it is addressing, Hare. Hare means addressing the energy of Kṛṣṇa. The energy is called Harā. Kṛṣṇa is called Hari, and His energy is called Harā, or Rādhā. Kṛṣṇa, Rādhā, or Hari, Harā. So the form of addressing is Hare.

Lecture on BG 4.12-13 -- New York, July 29, 1966:

Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not very difficult job. It is the easiest and the highest, topmost type of yoga system. In the Twelfth Chapter, you'll find it explicitly stated that one who (is) always in devotional service of Kṛṣṇa, he is the first-class yogi. One who is always constantly in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he is the first-class yogi. And that is also stated in the last verse of the Sixth Chapter also, and it is accepted by great scholars and ācāryas. So here is an opportunity. It is very simple, very simple—simply thinking of Kṛṣṇa. Satataṁ cintayantaṁ viṣṇum. Smartavyaḥ satataṁ viṣṇur vismartavyo na jātucit.

Lecture on BG 4.26 -- Bombay, April 15, 1974:

So if you first of all engage your mind to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, then Kṛṣṇa says you become first-class yogi.

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

He is first-class yogi who is always engaged in thinking of Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma Hare Rāma... That is first-class yogi. Then you perfect your this yogic process. indriyāgniṣu juhvati. Indriyāgniṣu. In the indriya, in the senses of Kṛṣṇa, in the fire of Kṛṣṇa's senses, when you engage, you cooperate with your indriya, that is your perfect life.

Lecture on BG 6.1-4 -- New York, September 2, 1966:

When one becomes first-class yogi or when one is considered to be elevated in the highest yogic platform or sannyāsa platform, yadā, at that time, when, na indriyārtheṣu, a person works not for sense gratification... That's all. Everyone works for sense gratification. In the material world, everyone is working for sense gratification. Everyone works here to get some reward, some remuneration, for wages, and that is utilized for sense gratification. Now here it said, yogārūḍha. "When one is perfect yogi..." That is explained here that yadā hi na indriyārtheṣu.

Lecture on BG 6.46-47 -- Los Angeles, February 21, 1969:

So bhakti-yoga is the highest platform of yoga principles. So Kṛṣṇa says here, "And of all yogis." There are different kinds of yogis. "Of all yogis he who always abides in Me," in Kṛṣṇa. Me means Kṛṣṇa says "in Me." That means one who is keeping always in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, "abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service is most intimately united with Me in yoga, and is the highest of all." This is the prime instruction of this chapter, Sāṅkhya-yoga, that if you want to become perfect yogi of the highest platform, then keep yourself in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and you become the first-class yogi.

Lecture on BG 6.47 -- Ahmedabad, December 12, 1972:

I'll take four cāpāṭis, but I am working so hard. There is no limit of my working. And one day Kṛṣṇa comes. Please get out. Finished. So we are all asses. Therefore Kavirāja Gosvāmī says: kṛṣṇa yei bhaje se baḍa catura. Only intelligent man is he who is Kṛṣṇa conscious. Otherwise all asses.

Kṛṣṇa yei bhaje se baḍa catura. So that bhajana Kṛṣṇa is teaching us. He's beginning the yoga system:

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

He's first-class yogi. So we shall discuss first-class yogi from tomorrow again. Thank you very much.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1968:

If you take that slow process of yoga, it is not possible in this age. Not only in this age, five thousand years ago also. This is not possible. You may do your gymnastic feats, but it will never be successful. This yoga process, as it is confirmed by Kṛṣṇa in the last chapter... This is Seventh Chapter. In the Sixth Chapter also, He has said the very thing, that yoginām api sarveṣām: (BG 6.47) "The first-class yogi is he whose mind is always attached to Me, Kṛṣṇa."

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Gainesville, July 29, 1971 University of Florida:

There are many yogis. But Kṛṣṇa said, "Of all the yogis, the one yogi who is constantly thinking of Me within himself..." Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā. Mad-gata. Kṛṣṇa says mad-gata. Means "simply upon Me, Kṛṣṇa." Antar-ātmanā, "within the heart." Sa me yuktatamaḥ: "He is the first-class yogi."

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Gainesville, July 29, 1971 University of Florida:

Mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā. "Anyone who is thinking of Kṛṣṇa always within himself, he is first-class yogi." If you want perfection in yoga system, don't be satisfied only by practicing a course of āsana. You have to go further. Actually, the perfection of yoga system means when you are in samādhi, always thinking of the Viṣṇu form of the Lord within your heart, without being disturbed.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Ahmedabad, December 13, 1972:

Always who is thinking of Kṛṣṇa within himself, śraddhāvān, with faith and knowledge, he is first-class yogi. So how this first-class yoga system helps me? Because the other yoga systems, they will disagree, that "Simply by thinking of Kṛṣṇa within one's heart, how one becomes perfect?" That is explained from the Seventh Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā, how simply by understanding Kṛṣṇa, you become well aware of everything, this yoga system.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Bombay, January 13, 1973:

Yoga process means to concentrate the mind upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead, generally Lord Viṣṇu. So Lord Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa, there is no difference. They are the same. Kṛṣṇa is the original Viṣṇu. So the first-class yogi is he who is always concentrating his mind upon Kṛṣṇa. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā, śraddhāvān. Unless you have got śraddhā, you cannot make any progress. Śraddhā. Śraddhā means faith. Just like you have all came. You have got little faith or more faith. There is faith.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Sydney, February 16, 1973:

There are different types of yogis, but the most important yogi, or the topmost yogi, is he. Who? "Who is always thinking of Me," Kṛṣṇa says. Who is always thinking of God. He's first-class yogi. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā. Yoga means that: always thinking of God. Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yogina. The yogi's business is that he's always meditating upon the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is yogi.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Sydney, February 16, 1973:

As soon as one chants Hare Kṛṣṇa, immediately he remembers Kṛṣṇa. He immediately remembers Kṛṣṇa's activities, Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, Kṛṣṇa's form, Kṛṣṇa's quality, Kṛṣṇa's attributes—everything. That is called to absorb the mind in Kṛṣṇa. That means you become immediately the first-class yogi. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā (BG 6.47). This is the process.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Sydney, February 16, 1973:

So these boys and girls who have taken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seriously, they are all first-class yogis because they are always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. Man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ. So adau śraddhā... So if you want to develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then you kindly associate with these devotees. We are opening so many centers all over the world—we have already 102 centers—just to give opportunity to all classes of men to associate with devotees and develop your love for God. This is the purpose.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Upsala University Stockholm, September 8, 1973:

Because Kṛṣṇa has said that yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā (BG 6.47). "Of all the yogis, one who is thinking of Me within himself," mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā śraddhāvān, "with devotion and faith," bhajate yo mām, "engaged in devotional...," sa me yukta..., "he's the first-class yogi." So you can become a first-class yogi at home without any expenditure, without any loss. But you come, become the greatest yogi and achieve the result. Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is so nice.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Hyderabad, April 27, 1974:

This is the yoga system. This is called bhakti-yoga, and this is called first-class yoga. That is described in the Bhagavad-gītā, that yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā (BG 6.47). The yogi, the first-class yogi, yoginām api sarveṣām... "There are different kinds of yoga systems, but the person who has accepted this bhakti-yoga, he is thinking of Me always." Just like these boys and girls they are being taught always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, "Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare." So if you read Bhagavad-gītā and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, immediately you learn the whole science, how to become attached to Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Hong Kong, January 25, 1975:

Anyone... There are hundreds and thousands varieties of yogi. The first-class yogi is he who is always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. He is first-class yogi. Mayy āsakta... Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā. Antar-ātmanā is in the core of heart. He is keeping the picture of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is there, but because we cannot see now in the present condition, so we are seeing the formation of Kṛṣṇa, either from picture or from the Deity in the temple. And keep it within your heart always and think of Him—you become first-class yogi. Yoginām api sarveṣām. And if you continue this yoga system, yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ...

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- London, March 9, 1975:

Who is the first-class yogi? There are many different types of yogi. But who is the topmost yogi? Yoginām api sarveṣām. Who is that? Mad-gatena antar-ātmanā: "One who is thinking of Me always." That is perfect yoga. So that statement, that "One who is thinking of Me always, he is perfect yogi," so that is now being explained. It is the conclusion of the Sixth Chapter, and in Seventh Chapter Kṛṣṇa explains how you can think of Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours. This is being explained.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Durban, October 9, 1975:

Kṛṣṇa says, yoginām api sarveṣām: "There are different kinds of yogis, but of all the yogis," yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā, "one who is thinking of Me, Kṛṣṇa," mad-gatena antar-ātmanā... Antar-ātmanā: within the core of heart he is thinking of Kṛṣṇa. So yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatena antar-ātmanā śraddhāvān (BG 6.47). Śraddhāvān means "with faith"; bhajate, "worships Me"; sa me yuktatamaḥ, "he is first-class yogi. He is yogi." So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is teaching people how to become first-class yogi. Sa me yuktatamo mataḥ. Yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ. This is real yogi. To practice yoga... Yoga means connection. Yoga... In India, yoga means "addition," and viyoga means "subtraction," viyoga.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Nairobi, October 27, 1975:

Kṛṣṇa says, man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru (BG 18.65). That will make your life successful.

So here also Kṛṣṇa says,

mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha

yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ

asaṁśayaṁ samagraṁ māṁ

yathā jñāsyasi tac chṛṇu

(BG 7.1)

"My dear Arjuna, I have already explained in the Sixth Chapter that to become first-class yogi..." When Arjuna was advised by Kṛṣṇa to become yogi, haṭha-yogī... Haṭha-yogī means to train the mind how to become Kṛṣṇa conscious. The mind is disturbed always. This way, that way, mind is going, cañcala, restless. So the haṭha-yoga system is meant for persons who are too much under the bodily conception of life, that "I am this body."

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Nairobi, October 27, 1975:

"Anyone who is thinking of Me always," mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā śraddhāvān sa me yuktatamaḥ, "He is the first-class yogi."

So we are trying to make our students the first-class yogi. Always think of Kṛṣṇa. This is our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. And Kṛṣṇa is also saying the same thing, mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha yogam. How you can think of Kṛṣṇa always? That is not possible unless you become too much addicted.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Nairobi, October 27, 1975:

Don't say, "Perhaps it may be like this. Perhaps may be like this..." That is imperfect knowledge. That is no knowledge. So therefore Kṛṣṇa personally says, mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan. This is a yogi. This is the first-class yogi. Kṛṣṇa has explained that yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ sa me yukta... (BG 6.47). So śraddhāvān bhajate yo mām, one who is worshiping Kṛṣṇa with śraddhā, with faith, complete faith, bhajate, and serving Him, so who is that person? A devotee. Without being a devotee, how with faith and adherence and reverence and obedience you can serve Kṛṣṇa unless you love Kṛṣṇa?

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Hyderabad, August 22, 1976:

This is real yoga, how to become attached to the service of the Lord. That is first-class yogi. You'll find in the last paragraph of Sixth Chapter, yoginām api sarveṣām. There are many yogis, different kinds of yogis. So yoginām api. Karma-yogī, jñāna-yogī, dhyāna-yogī, haṭha-yogī, and so many yogis. Yoginām api sarveṣām, "Of all the yogis," yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā (BG 6.47), "One who is always thinking of Kṛṣṇa..." Naturally, if you practice to come here and see daily, at least once, you'll be able to think of Kṛṣṇa. Mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā.

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Hyderabad, August 22, 1976:

So the temple is the facility how to become the first-class yogi and how to become the first-class devotee simply by increasing your attachment. This attachment, there is one example that one brāhmaṇa, he was daily seeing Lord Rāmacandra and then he was breaking his fast. So Rāmacandra was out of His station for some royal business. So this brāhmaṇa did not take even water seven days.

Lecture on BG 7.1-3 -- Stockholm, September 10, 1973:

Of all the yogis, the yogi who is always thinking of Kṛṣṇa with love and faith... It is not very difficult. Kṛṣṇa says, "He is first-class yogi." So how to become the first-class yogi, that is described in this Seventh Chapter of the Bhagavad-gītā. Kṛṣṇa says personally. If you want to understand God, it is better to understand from God Himself. Instead of speculating what is God, better to understand God from the words of God.

Lecture on BG 7.1-3 -- Stockholm, September 10, 1973:

So far our Vedic culture is concerned, Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here it is also said, śrī bhagavān uvāca. So He is teaching how to become first-class yogi in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is His teaching. He is saying, mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ. Mayi, "unto Me," āsakta, "attachment." The Kṛṣṇa consciousness yoga means to increase the attachment for Kṛṣṇa. That's all.

Lecture on BG 7.4 -- Nairobi, October 31, 1975:

All these are yoga, karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga, bhakti-yoga, haṭha-yoga, but Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā, yoginām api sarveṣām: "Of all the yogis," mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā, "one who is thinking of Me always," śraddhāvān, "with faith." Bhajate. Bhajate means bhakti. From the word bhaja, bhakti comes. Bhaja sevā. So bhaja-dhātu, it's called bhakti. So here the very word is used, bhajate mām. Śraddhāvān bhajate mām. That means bhakti-yoga. So one who is engaged in bhakti-yoga, he is recommended as the first-class yogi.

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

Kṛṣṇa says, "He is first-class yogi." So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means we are trying to make all first-class yogis.

Lecture on BG 8.1 -- Geneva, June 7, 1974:

Therefore our only duty is to think of Kṛṣṇa, Puruṣottama, so that we may die at any moment, but we become spiritual salvation. This is our only duty. We have no other duty. How to remember Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours? That is the greatest process of yoga perfection. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā. Mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā: (BG 6.47) "Always thinking of Me, he is first-class yogi." So this Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra is so nice that as soon as you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, you immediately remember Kṛṣṇa. You go on chanting; that means remembering.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 1.1.1 -- Caracas, February 21, 1975:

He says that "Anyone who is always thinking of Me within his heart, he is first-class yogi." So the yoga system is very popular in your country, but this is the example of becoming first-class yogi. And you haven't got to take so much trouble by pressing your nose or dipping your head or this... Simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. And you become first-class yogi. And as soon as you become first-class yogi, all power is within you. Perhaps you do not know the yogic perfection, eight kinds of power. Simply gymnastic practice is not yoga. You must attain the power. The power is aṇimā, laghimā, mahimā, prāpti-siddhi, vaśitā, īśitā, like that. Aṇimā means you can become smaller than the smallest.

Lecture on SB 1.2.6 -- London, July 23, 1973:

And those who are trying to be happy spiritually, they are called yogis. So yogis, there are different kinds of yogis. But the first-class yogi is bhakti-yogī. Bhakti-yoga. Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

He is first-class yogi. Who is first-class yogi? Mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā, "who is always thinking of Me." Kṛṣṇa says, man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru (BG 18.65). This is Kṛṣṇa's advice in the Bhagavad-gītā.

Lecture on SB 1.2.6 -- London, July 23, 1973:

Thinking of Kṛṣṇa, antar-ātmanā, within the core of heart. Sa me yuktatamo mataḥ. He is first-class yogi. So we are teaching that, how to become first-class yogi. "Chant Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, and hear." Immediately... All Kṛṣṇa's—Kṛṣṇa's form, Kṛṣṇa's qualities, Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, Kṛṣṇa's paraphernalia, Kṛṣṇa's opulence—everything will be subject of your thinking. This is called first-class yoga.

Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- New Vrindaban, September 5, 1972:

The first-class yogi is he who is constantly twenty-four hours thinking of Kṛṣṇa. And Kṛṣṇa also says, man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ, think of Me always. So our process, the bhakti-yoga process is very simple, we chant this mantra, Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare/Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare (devotees join in chanting). So as soon as we chant Kṛṣṇa, this name, this holy name, and as soon as we hear about Him, Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, immediately we remember what is Kṛṣṇa, śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam, smaraṇam.

Lecture on SB 1.2.7 -- Hyderabad, April 21, 1974:

The first-class yogi, who is? Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā: "Who is always thinking of Me, Hare Kṛṣṇa." Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, and you always think if Kṛṣṇa. Smaraṇam. Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇam (SB 7.5.23). This is bhakti-yoga, the simple practice, that if you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare, tongue, your tongue is locked up and your hearing process is locked up. That is samādhi, immediately, absorbed in the thought of Kṛṣṇa. Samādhi.

Lecture on SB 1.2.8 -- Hyderabad, April 22, 1974:

There are different types of yogis, but the first-class yogi is he who, now, mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā, Kṛṣṇa says, "who is thinking of Me always," mad-gata, śraddhāvān, with veneration, love and faith. Bhajate.

Lecture on SB 1.2.11 -- Vrndavana, October 22, 1972:

Kṛṣṇa does not say that you can know Him by mental exercises or yogic practices. No. Yogi can know... Tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ (SB 12.13.1). Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ. Yogi also, by meditation, they see Kṛṣṇa. That is real yoga. As it is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā, the first-class yogi is he who always thinks of Kṛṣṇa within himself.

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

That is first-class yogi.

Lecture on SB 1.2.15 -- Vrndavana, October 26, 1972:

So Kṛṣṇa is giving information about His abode. So simply you have to qualify yourself to go there. That's all. That qualification is simply man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru (BG 18.65). "Simply think of Me." And if you simply think of Kṛṣṇa, you become the greatest yogi.

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

He is the first-class yogi.

Lecture on SB 1.2.15 -- Vrndavana, October 26, 1972:

So we are teaching our people to become the first-class yogi. People are very much attached to the yoga system, mystic yoga system. But the goal of yoga system is Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Kṛṣṇa's name is Yogeśvara. By practicing yoga, if you don't find Kṛṣṇa, then śrama eva hi kevalam (SB 1.2.8), then simply you have wasted your time for nothing. For nothing. Yes. That is the version.

Lecture on SB 1.2.20 -- Los Angeles, August 23, 1972:

Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā. Śraddhāvān, faithful. Bhajate. This is bhajana: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. So he is first-class yogi, who is chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and thinking of Kṛṣṇa within his heart, first-class yogi. That is bhagavad-bhakti-yoga. And if he does it nicely, according to the rules and regulations, in the beginning, then he becomes prasanna-manasa, prasanna-manasa, enlightened, engladdened. There is no more any lamentation or hankering.

Lecture on SB 1.5.13 -- New Vrindaban, June 13, 1969:

"Anyone who is always thinking of Me within his heart and he's engaged in My service, he's first-class yogi." So any person who is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, who's acting simply for Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours, he's in samādhi. Samādhinā tad, anusmara tad-viceṣṭitam. Anusmara: "That meditation should not be manufactured by you, but under the direction of the representative of Kṛṣṇa." Therefore it is called anusmara.

Lecture on SB 1.7.2-4 -- Durban, October 14, 1975:

He is first-class yogi. Who? Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gata, simply thinking of Kṛṣṇa, mad-gata. Antar-ātmanā, within the core of heart, always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā, śraddhāvān bhajate yo mām. So we are teaching this. Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means we are teaching our disciples how to think of Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Lecture on SB 1.7.34-35 -- Vrndavana, September 28, 1976:

That is first-class yogi, one who is thinking of Kṛṣṇa always within the core of the heart. So yogis, jñānīs, karmīs, bhaktas... So when you become bhakta, then you are perfect karmī, you are perfect yogi, you are perfect jñānī. Unless you are perfect jñānī, how you can surrender to Kṛṣṇa? Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate (BG 7.19). After many, many births cultivating knowledge, when he's actually wise-jñānavān. Then what is the symptom? Māṁ prapadyate: he surrenders to Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture on SB 1.8.21 -- Mayapura, October 1, 1974:

The first-class yogi is he who is always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. The same way... If you are a medical man, if you think of Kṛṣṇa, how to prove that Kṛṣṇa is the best physician or Kṛṣṇa is the best surgeon through medical science, if one thinks like that, and if he tries to do it, he is first-class yogi even though he is a medical man. Similarly, everyone can become the first-class yogi if he takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Lecture on SB 3.25.13 -- Bombay, November 13, 1974:

The first-class yogi is he... Who? Yoginām api sarve... There are many yogis. There are many different types of yoga system, and all the yoga systems are discussed in the Bhagavad-gītā, haṭha-yoga, karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga, rāja-yoga, so many yoga systems. But the real yoga system, the first-class yoga system, is to revive your connection with Kṛṣṇa. That is first class.

Lecture on SB 3.25.21 -- Bombay, November 21, 1974:

"He is first class yogi." Who is that? "Who is always thinking of Me." And Kṛṣṇa is advising, man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru (BG 18.65). Four things only. It is not very difficult thing. Always think of Kṛṣṇa, man-manāḥ. And without becoming devotee, how you can think of Kṛṣṇa? You can think of your business, you can think of your dog, or you can think of your family, or you can think of your lovable object, woman or man and so many. But Kṛṣṇa says, man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ: "You think of Me."

Lecture on SB 3.25.23 -- Bombay, November 23, 1974:

There are many yogis, but that yogi who is thinking of Kṛṣṇa always, man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ, mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā, sa me yuktatamaḥ: "In My opinion that is... He is the first-class yogi." Not to show any magic. Magic, that is magic, that if he does not suffer from any suffering, that is the greatest magic. But that will be done by a devotee. And Kṛṣṇa also recommends.

Lecture on SB 3.25.31 -- Bombay, December 1, 1974:

This is preliminary. Therefore when Arjuna declined, that "I cannot execute the yoga system," so Kṛṣṇa, in order to pacify Arjuna... Because he was friend—Kṛṣṇa thought that Arjuna is thinking unable to execute this yoga—He pacified him by saying ultimately, "My dear Arjuna, don't be agitated." Indirectly He said that "You are a first-class yogi." "How is that, I am first-class yogi?" "Now, because you are always thinking of Me." Arjuna, he did not know anything but Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, when He placed Himself divided into two in the battlefield... Because it was a family fight, so Kṛṣṇa said that "I can divide Myself." Both of them approached.

Lecture on SB 3.25.31 -- Bombay, December 1, 1974:

Kṛṣṇa was so friendly and very loving friend, not ordinary friend. Therefore Kṛṣṇa said, "My dear Arjuna, don't be disappointed because you cannot execute this aṣṭāṅga-yoga. The first-class yogi is he who always thinks of Me." Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā (BG 6.47). One who has taken Kṛṣṇa within his heart and always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, satataṁ smartavyaḥ viṣṇuḥ, this is the system. This is meditation.

Lecture on SB 3.25.31 -- Bombay, December 1, 1974:

If you always chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, then you remember Kṛṣṇa. Immediately the form of Kṛṣṇa is awakened within your heart. And Kṛṣṇa says, yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā: "Always within the heart..." That is the sāṅkhya-yoga system, or perfect yoga system, bhakti-yoga-vitānam. And Kṛṣṇa says personally,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

They are first-class yogi. So anyway, some way or other, if you can think of Kṛṣṇa always... That is... We have named Kṛṣṇa consciousness, always conscious of Kṛṣṇa. Then you become the first-class sāṅkhya-yogī. Bhakti-vitānam.

Lecture on SB 3.25.39-40 -- Bombay, December 8, 1974:

If you meditate about Kṛṣṇa always, then you become the first-class yogi. That is said in the Bhagavad-gītā in the Sixth Chapter, yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā (BG 6.47). So this movement is teaching everyone always to be Kṛṣṇa conscious, to become first-class yogi, and take Kṛṣṇa as everything—priya, suta, sakhā, guru, everything. That is called bhakta.

Lecture on SB 3.25.43 -- Bombay, December 11, 1974:

"He's the first-class yogi who is always thinking of Me.' And who always thinks of Kṛṣṇa unless he is a devotee? Therefore you cannot understand Kṛṣṇa without becoming a devotee. In the beginning of Bhagavad-gītā He says to Arjuna, bhakto 'si priyo 'si me: (BG 4.3) "I am talking to you the same old system of yoga, Bhagavad-gītā, because you are My devotee."

Lecture on SB 3.26.27 -- Bombay, January 4, 1975:

He encouraged Arjuna that "Don't be disappointed because your mind is always engaged in Me." Arjuna might be anything, but he was always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. He was always associating with Kṛṣṇa. He did not know anything else, Kṛṣṇa. That is the position of first-class yogi. Otherwise, if you try to control the mind from kāma, krodha, lobha, moha, mātsarya, that is not possible. You have to change the position of such activities.

Lecture on SB 3.26.27 -- Bombay, January 4, 1975:

Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that this kind of yoga practice is simply cheating. The first-class yogi is he... Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā (BG 6.47). One who is thinking of always Kṛṣṇa, "Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa," he is first-class yogi. And they are all cheaters. Some foolish people are cheated by this yogic jugglery and he gets some position, some material position. So material positions there are many.

Lecture on SB 3.26.31 -- Bombay, January 8, 1975:

Keep your mind always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, as Kṛṣṇa says, man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ. Then you become gradually the first-class yogi. You don't require to make any exercise. The everything will be done automatically. Kṛṣṇa will give you intelligence. As you concentrate your mind on Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet, immediately you become qualified to talk with Kṛṣṇa immediately. That is said by Kṛṣṇa in the Bhagavad-gītā.

Lecture on SB 3.26.31 -- Bombay, January 8, 1975:

Dhyāna means meditation. So they sit down in dhyāna. What is the subject matter of dhyāna? The subject matter of dhyāna is the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu. That is dhyāna, dhyāna-yoga. That is... Then you get yogic perfection. And Kṛṣṇa recommends in the Bhagavad-gītā how first-class yoga is thinking of Kṛṣṇa:

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

The first-class yogi is...

Lecture on SB 3.26.40 -- Bombay, January 15, 1975:

The yogic process is to see Kṛṣṇa within the heart. That is real yoga. That is real yoga system. Try to see Kṛṣṇa within the heart. Then you first-class yogi. That is the perfection of topmost yogic process.

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

If you can learn how to see Kṛṣṇa within the heart always, twenty-four hours, then your life is successful. That is perfection of life. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, how you can learn to see Kṛṣṇa within your heart, within other's heart, and everywhere. Sthāvara-jaṅgama dekhe nā dekhe tāra mūrti (CC Madhya 8.274). This is wanted.

Lecture on SB 5.5.1 -- London, August 30, 1971:

"Of all the yogis..." Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā: "One who is thinking within himself about Me, Kṛṣṇa," mad-gaten... śraddhāvān, "with faith and love," bhajate mām, "engaged in My devotional service," sa me yuktatamo mataḥ, "he is the first-class yogi. He is the first-class yogi." So we are preaching in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, "Everyone should become a first-class yogi. And when one becomes a first-class yogi, perfect yogi, then ramante yoginaḥ anante, then they enjoy eternal, blissful life of knowledge. Ramante yoginaḥ satyānande, that is real happiness, satyānande.

Lecture on SB 5.5.2 -- Hyderabad, April 11, 1975:

Kṛṣṇa has explained yoga system in the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gītā. And He concludes,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

"He's first-class yogi who is always thinking of Me within the heart." Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. This is perfection.

Lecture on SB 5.5.3 -- Hyderabad, April 15, 1975:

The first class yogi is, who is always thinking of Me. He is first-class. Yogi's business is to see God within the heart. That is real yogi. Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yogino. Yogi's business is to see in meditation always Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu within the heart. That is real yogi. Dhyānāvasthita, by meditation one has to see continually. That is called samādhi.

Lecture on SB 5.5.3 -- Hyderabad, April 15, 1975:

He is first-class yogi. So everything is there ending in bhakti. Therefore in the Bhagavad-gītā, the only talk is about bhakti, in a different way, either through karma-yoga, or jñāna-yoga, or haṭha-yoga. The point is how to become a devotee, and at the end He concludes, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja (BG 18.66). This is the conclusion of, so these things cannot be understood by anyone who is not a devotee.

Lecture on SB 5.5.33 -- Vrndavana, November 20, 1976:

If you make it a promise that "I shall not talk anything except Kṛṣṇa's message," and if you promise that "I shall not take anything which is not offered to Kṛṣṇa," these two things, this prasādam and chanting, will make you perfect to understand Kṛṣṇa. In another place Kṛṣṇa says, mayy āsakta-manāḥ pārtha yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ. This is yoga, bhakti-yoga. How easy it is. There are so many yogas, but if you practice bhakti-yoga you become first-class yogi.

Lecture on SB 5.5.35 -- Vrndavana, November 22, 1976:

This is yogic power. Therefore it is said, nānā-yoga-caryācaraṇam: "All yogic perfection is there."

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo...

(BG 6.47)

That is first-class yogi. You want yogic power, mystic power, but if you keep Kṛṣṇa within your core of heart, naturally by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, you can perform all... Not the devotee can perform. Devotee is simply dependent on Kṛṣṇa. But Kṛṣṇa can perform unlimited mystic powers through His devotee.

Lecture on SB 5.6.3 -- Vrndavana, November 25, 1976:

So if you want to be first-class yogi, always think of Kṛṣṇa within your mind. Do not make friendship that you have become very much advanced: "Now my mind is controlled." It is not so easy, sir. Therefore it is warned, na kuryāt karhicit. Never trust your mind. Always distrust. In any moment it, the mind, can drag you.

Lecture on SB 6.1.15 -- London, August 3, 1971:

So if yoga practice is performed by concentrating one's mind on Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu, that is first-class yoga, and that is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā: (BG 6.47) "Of all yogis, one who is always thinking of Me within the heart, he is first-class yogi." So if you are practicing yoga, we should recommend that you think of Kṛṣṇa within your heart. That will help you. That is our advice.

Lecture on SB 6.1.21 -- Chicago, July 5, 1975:

So if our mind is fixed up in Kṛṣṇa, then naturally the senses will be controlled. If we fix up our mind that we shall not do anything, dṛḍha-vratāḥ... Bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ. This is determination, that "I shall have nothing to do without Kṛṣṇa." Then you are first-class yogi—dvija, brāhmaṇa, everything. Everything. So this is..., these are the qualification of not dvija... Dvija is primary qualification of becoming a brāhmaṇa.

Lecture on SB 6.1.27 -- Indore, December 15, 1970:

So by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa we have to mold our thinking power, always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. If you always think... That is recommended in the Bhagavad-gītā: yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā. Who is the first-class yogi? "Who is always thinking of Me within himself."

Lecture on SB 6.1.37 -- Los Angeles, June 3, 1976:

Who is the first-class yogi? Kṛṣṇa says, "That person who is always thinking of Me Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ. There are many varieties of yogis, but this person, who is thinking of Me, he has no more to think any other thing." Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā: within the core of the heart, he's thinking of Kṛṣṇa. This is the ideal transcendental meditation, meditation. It has become a medicine now.

Lecture on SB 6.1.50 -- Detroit, June 16, 1976:

If you simply execute these four things, then Kṛṣṇa guarantees, asaṁśaya, without any doubt you are coming back to me, back to home, back to Godhead. It is so nice. So mind engaged in Kṛṣṇa. Always think of Kṛṣṇa. We are seeing Kṛṣṇa here so nicely dressed, decorated, and immediately there is impression with the mind and you can think the whole day. And Kṛṣṇa says he is first-class yogi who,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntarātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

He is first-class yogi. There are different types of yogis. Kṛṣṇa says yoginām api sarveṣām. Sarveṣām means all different kinds of yogis. There are many. "But one yogi, bhakta-yogi or dhyāna-yogi, who is always thinking of Me within the mind, he is first class." He is first class.

Lecture on SB 6.1.62 -- Vrndavana, August 29, 1975:

Mad-gata, thinking of Kṛṣṇa, āntarātmanā, within the core of heart. Mad gata anāntarātmṇā, śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ sa me yuktatamo mataḥ: "He is first-class yogi." So unless we can control the mind, we cannot become yogi. Yoga means indriya-saṁyamaḥ. Yoga means not reducing fat or this or... No. Yoga means controlling the mind, controlling the senses, and concentrate it upon Viṣṇu, Kṛṣṇa. Mat para. Yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ. That is yoga.

Lecture on SB 7.6.1 -- Montreal, June 10, 1968:

So Kṛṣṇa said, he is first-class yogi who is constantly in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Śraddhāvān bhajate yo mām. With faith and devotion, always remembering Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare, sa me yuktatamo mataḥ. Yoginām api sarveṣām, of all the yogis They have opened so many classes of yoga class, somebody is advertising that you can remain young, you can have better sex power or you can reduce your bodily fat. So that is also possible. That you can do by ordinary exercise. But real purpose of yoga is to concentrate the mind on Viṣṇu always. That is yoga. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Lecture on SB 7.6.1 -- Montreal, June 12, 1968:

So this is the movement of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And it is recommended in the Bhagavad-gītā that yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā: (BG 6.47) "He is the first-class yogi." Who? "Who always thinking of Kṛṣṇa within himself." That is yoga practice. So the bhāgavata-dharma and bhakti-yoga or yoga practice—everything synonymous. There is no difference. But this is the easiest process.

Lecture on SB 7.6.2 -- Toronto, June 18, 1976:

Even Arjuna denied. "Kṛṣṇa, You are recommending me to undergo the process of yoga, but it is not possible for me." Tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva suduṣkaram. It is not possible. But Arjuna was a pure devotee. He was always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. He had no other business. Therefore Kṛṣṇa, to encourage Arjuna, He said that "Don't be disappointed. Because you are thinking that you are unfit to meditate upon Lord Viṣṇu, don't be disappointed. The first-class yogi... You are first-class yogi."

Lecture on SB 7.6.2 -- Toronto, June 18, 1976:

Anyone who is thinking of Kṛṣṇa always within the heart, he's first-class yogi. Therefore kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt. This is first-class yoga system. In this age, Caitanya Mahāprabhu recommended, in the śāstra also it is recommended, that harer nāma harer nāma harer nāma eva kevalam kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva (CC Adi 17.21).

Lecture on SB 7.6.14 -- New Vrindaban, June 28, 1976:

"Of all the yogis," yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā, "always thinking of Kṛṣṇa," śraddhāvān, "very faithful," bhajate mām, "always engaged in My service, he is first-class yogi."

Lecture on SB 7.9.8 -- Montreal, July 2, 1968:

"Of all the yogis, one who is always thinking of Me, Kṛṣṇa, within his heart, he is first-class yogi." Similarly, when He explains about jñāna system, or philosophical speculation, He summarizes at the end, bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate: (BG 7.19) "After many, many births of philosophical speculation, when the learned scholar or philosopher comes to this point..." What is that point? Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti. Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate: (BG 7.19) "After many, many births' philosophical speculation, when one actually becomes scholar or wise, he surrenders unto Vasudeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976:

So they are first-class yogis. Even they are... Just like Prahlāda Mahārāja. He was first-class yogi because he was always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, Nārāyaṇa, and he was not afraid of his father's punishment, chastisement.

Lecture on SB 7.9.34 -- Mayapur, March 12, 1976:

Kṛṣṇa says, "He's first-class yogi." Who? "Who is always trying to see Kṛṣṇa within the heart." So it is very difficult task? In our bhakti-yoga we can teach this art of seeing Kṛṣṇa within the core of the heart in one minute. It is so simple. You are seeing Kṛṣṇa here. You must have impression and try to keep that impression within your heart always. Then you become first-class yogi. Why so much gymnastic and pressing the nose? No. Take directly. If you are engaged twenty-four hours in the service of the Deity, you cannot see except the Deity. This bhakti-yoga practice is so simple.

Nectar of Devotion Lectures

The Nectar of Devotion -- Bombay, December 27, 1972:

"The first-class yogi is he who is always seeing Me within his heart." Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ. There are different types of yogis. The first-class yogi is he who can see Kṛṣṇa within his heart constantly, without any cessation. Smartavyaṁ satato viṣṇuḥ vismārtavyaṁ na jātucit. This is the process. One has to observe Viṣṇu within the heart always. Smartavyaṁ satato viṣṇuḥ vismartavyam na... This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One has to think of Kṛṣṇa or see Kṛṣṇa within the heart twenty-four hours. That is perfection of yoga. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatena āntarātmanā.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 13, 1972:

Practice in such a way that you'll be able to think of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours, without any stop. That is the first-class yoga. Immediately you become a first-class yogi. You don't have to practice the meditation, samādhi, dhyāna, dhāraṇā, āsana, praṇāyāma, this aṣṭāṅga-yoga. Without practicing aṣṭāṅga-yoga, you simply practice the one simple thing, simply thinking of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa always; then you become a first-class yogi. It is not our statement. Kṛṣṇa's statement.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 13, 1972:

He's first-class yogi. Who? "Who is always thinking of Me within his heart." Śraddhāvān. "With faith and love, he's always thinking of Kṛṣṇa." He's first-class yogi. So our, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is so nice that, if we take it seriously, then immediately, on the first stage, we become a first-class yogi. Immediately, without any bodily endeavor, mystic exercise. No need. In the Kali-yuga it is not possible. The yoga practice, in your Western countries, it is very popular; but that is a farce.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 13, 1972:

Tad-gatena manasā, absorbed in the thought of Kṛṣṇa. This is yoga system. Some way or other, if you fix up your mind on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, that is perfection of yoga. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ (BG 6.47). That is the verdict of all śāstras. So by fixing up your mind on the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, immediately you become first-class yogi. There is no doubt about it.

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures

Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.101 -- Washington, D.C., July 6, 1976:

He is first-class yogi. Who? "Who is always thinking of Me," Kṛṣṇa says. Always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. Always thinking "How I shall preach Kṛṣṇa's words, Kṛṣṇa's message?" The Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission and Kṛṣṇa's mission is the same. Only the difference is that Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He's ordering. Because He's God, He has the position to order you, everyone.

Festival Lectures

His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada's Disappearance Day, Lecture -- Bombay, December 22, 1975:

Real yoga is controlling the senses and concentrating the mind to the Supreme Person. Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ (SB 12.13.1). That is the... And farce yogi is going like that. And Kṛṣṇa says also in the Bhagavad-gītā,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gatenāntarātmanā

śraddhavān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

(BG 6.47)

He is first class yogi. Who? "Always thinking of Me.

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare

Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare

His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada's Disappearance Day, Lecture -- Bombay, December 22, 1975:

He is first-class yogi." So we are teaching our students to become the first-class yogi. Not these yogis to reduce fat. No. That is not required. Yogi means who is always seeing Kṛṣṇa within the heart. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru (BG 18.65). This is first-class yogi, bhakta-yogī. Twenty-four hours, satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ (BG 9.14). Satataṁ kīrtayanto mām: you have to fix up your mind in Kṛṣṇa by the process of chanting His glories, satataṁ kīrtayanto mām (BG 9.14), not otherwise. Mām, Kṛṣṇa.

Initiation Lectures

Lecture at Initiation Fire Sacrifice -- Los Angeles, July 16, 1969:

"He's first-class yogi." You don't require to labor and pay somewhere some five dollars, ten dollars, and practice this gymnastic. No. It is not possible. And as soon as you come out, you'll again engage yourself in all nonsense activities. No. The first-class yoga system is to keep yourself always in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Then it is always, you are pure. No contamination of this material world can touch you, and you are first-class yogi.

Initiation Lecture -- Los Angeles, July 13, 1971:

One who practices this Kṛṣṇa consciousness yoga... Then Kṛṣṇa assured him, "It doesn't matter. You practice. If you like, you can practice. But real yogi is he..." He explained,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gata āntarātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo...

(BG 6.47)

"Arjuna, that's all right. If you cannot practice this yoga system, there is no harm. But the first-class yogi is he who is always keeping Me in his heart," thinking of Kṛṣṇa. He is first class. So that is bhakti.

General Lectures

Lecture -- Seattle, October 9, 1968:

When yoga is described in the Sixth Chapter, you'll find the Lord says, yoginām api sarveṣāṁ: "Of all the yogic process," yoginām api sarveṣāṁ madgatenāntarātmanā (BG 6.47), "one who has taken Me within himself," śraddhāvān bhajate yo mām, "and with faith and love is engaged in My service, he is first-class yogi." So the first-class yogi are all these Kṛṣṇa conscious boys and girls. First-class yogi. Because they're always thinking of Kṛṣṇa within. And that is recommended by Kṛṣṇa, the author of all yogic principles. He's called Yogeśvara, the master of all yogic principles. So He said that "Here is a first-class yogi." Who? "Who is thinking always within himself Me, Kṛṣṇa."

Lecture -- Seattle, October 9, 1968:

So anyone who has accepted Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he is supposed to be the first-class yogi. Actually, what is the ultimate end of yoga? The meaning of yoga is " 'contact." Contacting whom? The Supreme. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme. So one who has contacted Kṛṣṇa, he is the highest yogi.

Lecture -- Seattle, October 18, 1968:

In the last chapter Kṛṣṇa has explained that one who is constantly absorbed in the thought of Kṛṣṇa, he is first-class yogi, first-class yogi. In your country the yoga system is very popular, but you do not know who is a first-class yogi. The first-class yogi (is) explained in the Bhagavad-gītā: yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā (BG 6.47), that out of many, many thousands of yogis, the yogi or bhakta-yogi who is always seeing within himself, within his heart, the form of Kṛṣṇa, he's first-class yogi, he's first class.

Lecture -- Seattle, October 18, 1968:

"One who is always thinking of Me," mad-gata, "He is first-class yogi." In many places it is stated. Premāñjana-cchurita. How you can think of Kṛṣṇa unless you develop love for Kṛṣṇa? Just like Rādhārāṇī. Rādhārāṇī, She has come. She was married, and household life, but She has come to Kṛṣṇa to worship Him.

Lecture Engagement and Prasada Distribution -- Boston, April 26, 1969:

There are different kinds of yogis. So "Out of different kinds of many yogis," mad-gatenāntarātmanā, "one who is thinking of Me always within his heart," mad-gatenāntarāt..., śraddhāvān bhajate mām, "and is engaged in My service with faith and devotion," sa me yuktatamo, "oḥ, he is the first-class yogi." He is the first-class yogi. Because yoga means to contact the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the ultimate goal. So if by some process you can at once contact the Supreme Personality of Godhead, that is first class.

Lecture -- Gorakhpur, February 17, 1971:

Kṛṣṇa also says in the Bhagavad-gītā that yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntarātmanā: "One who is always thinking of Me within himself, he is first-class yogi." Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ (BG 6.47). There is no need of speculating. Simply this easy process, thinking of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā that yoginām api sarveṣāṁ. All big, big yogis, there may be, but a person who is always absorbed in thought of Kṛṣṇa within himself, he is greater than all such big, big yogis.

Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 6, 1971:

"Anyone who is always thinking of Me within his mind," śraddhāvān, "not mechanically, but with faith and love," śraddhā, and bhajate-bhajate means bhaja sevayam, engaged in the service—"such person is the first-class yogi." That is recommended by Kṛṣṇa.

Pandal Lecture -- Delhi, November 12, 1971:

He is the first-class yogi. Who? Who is thinking of Kṛṣṇa always within his mind. So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness process, chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, means to keep Kṛṣṇa always in mind. That is the perfection of yoga. And it is very easy. As soon as you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, you hear it, then your mind becomes locked up.

Lecture at Bharata Chamber of Commerce 'Culture and Business' -- Calcutta, January 30, 1973:

He's first-class yogi. Who is that man? Now, yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gata āntarātmanā: "Who is always thinking of Me." That means Kṛṣṇa conscious. Kṛṣṇa says, "Who is always thinking of Me." Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ. There are different yogis—karma-yogī, jñāna-yogī, dhyāna-yogī. But the best yogi is he who's always thinking of Kṛṣṇa within himself. Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatena-antarātmanā śraddhāvān bhajate yo mām. Śraddhāvān. With faith and love, one who is giving rendering service to the Lord, he's first-class yogi.

Lecture -- Jakarta, February 27, 1973:

He's first-class yogi. He's always seeing Kṛṣṇa within the heart. And he can see, premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti (Bs. 5.38). Prema, if you develop love for Kṛṣṇa, then you'll see Kṛṣṇa within your heart, always, twenty-four hours. Premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena, when your eyes are smeared with the ointment of love of God. You realize (indistinct), see God. You see God. This morning I have (indistinct), you see God. It is not very, I mean to say, impossible. It is possible by everyone, even by child, what to speak of grown-up. Simply you have to follow the instructions.

Lecture with Translator -- Sanand, December 27, 1975:

We have to change the āsakti to Kṛṣṇa. That is the highest form of mystic yoga. Kṛṣṇa has already explained in the previous verse,

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gata āntarātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ

sa me yuktatamo (mataḥ)

(BG 6.47)

Aneka yogis... There are many yogis, many form of yoga practice, mystic, but the yogi who is always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, he is first-class yogi.

Philosophy Discussions

Philosophy Discussion on William James:

Prabhupāda: Hm, yes. You can find out that verse.

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ

mad-gata āntarātmanā

śraddhāvān bhajate (yo māṁ)

sa me yuktatama...

(BG 6.47)

He is first-class yogi who does not cease to think of Kṛṣṇa, or God. So our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is that we keep always in the thought of Kṛṣṇa, twenty-four hours. Then we do not fall down from the yogic principle.