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| [[Category:Mystic]] | | [[Category:Mystic Perfection|1]] |
| [[Category:Perfection]]
| |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" class="section" sec_index="0" parent="compilation" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is"><h2>Bhagavad-gita As It Is</h2> | | <div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" class="section" sec_index="0" parent="compilation" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is"><h2>Bhagavad-gita As It Is</h2> |
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| <div id="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="BG Chapters 1 - 6"><h3>BG Chapters 1 - 6</h3> | | <div id="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="BG Chapters 1 - 6"><h3>BG Chapters 1 - 6</h3> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="BG637_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="254" link="BG 6.37" link_text="BG 6.37"> | | <div id="BG524_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="218" link="BG 5.24" link_text="BG 5.24"> |
| | <div class="heading">One whose happiness is within, who is active and rejoices within, and whose aim is inward is actually the perfect mystic. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 5.24 (1972)|BG 5.24, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">One whose happiness is within, who is active and rejoices within, and whose aim is inward is actually the perfect mystic. He is liberated in the Supreme, and ultimately he attains the Supreme.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | <div class="purport text"><p>Unless one is able to relish happiness from within, how can one retire from the external engagements meant for deriving superficial happiness? A liberated person enjoys happiness by factual experience. He can, therefore, sit silently at any place and enjoy the activities of life from within. Such a liberated person no longer desires external material happiness. This state is called brahma-bhūta ([[Vanisource:SB 4.30.20|SB 4.30.20]]), attaining which one is assured of going back to Godhead, back to home.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="BG637_1" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_1_-_6" book="BG" index="254" link="BG 6.37" link_text="BG 6.37"> |
| <div class="heading">O Kṛṣṇa, what is the destination of the unsuccessful transcendentalist, who in the beginning takes to the process of self-realization with faith but who later desists due to worldly-mindedness and thus does not attain perfection in mysticism? | | <div class="heading">O Kṛṣṇa, what is the destination of the unsuccessful transcendentalist, who in the beginning takes to the process of self-realization with faith but who later desists due to worldly-mindedness and thus does not attain perfection in mysticism? |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 6.37|BG 6.37, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Arjuna said: O Kṛṣṇa, what is the destination of the unsuccessful transcendentalist, who in the beginning takes to the process of self-realization with faith but who later desists due to worldly-mindedness and thus does not attain perfection in mysticism?</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 6.37 (1972)|BG 6.37, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Arjuna said: O Kṛṣṇa, what is the destination of the unsuccessful transcendentalist, who in the beginning takes to the process of self-realization with faith but who later desists due to worldly-mindedness and thus does not attain perfection in mysticism?</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div class="purport text"><p>The path of self-realization or mysticism is described in the Bhagavad-gītā. The basic principle of self-realization is knowledge that the living entity is not this material body but that he is different from it and that his happiness is in eternal life, bliss and knowledge. These are transcendental, beyond both body and mind. Self-realization is sought by the path of knowledge, by the practice of the eightfold system or by bhakti-yoga. In each of these processes one has to realize the constitutional position of the living entity, his relationship with God, and the activities whereby he can reestablish the lost link and achieve the highest perfectional stage of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Following any of the above-mentioned three methods, one is sure to reach the supreme goal sooner or later. This was asserted by the Lord in the Second Chapter: even a little endeavor on the transcendental path offers a great hope for deliverance.</p> | | <div class="purport text"><p>The path of self-realization or mysticism is described in the Bhagavad-gītā. The basic principle of self-realization is knowledge that the living entity is not this material body but that he is different from it and that his happiness is in eternal life, bliss and knowledge. These are transcendental, beyond both body and mind. Self-realization is sought by the path of knowledge, by the practice of the eightfold system or by bhakti-yoga. In each of these processes one has to realize the constitutional position of the living entity, his relationship with God, and the activities whereby he can reestablish the lost link and achieve the highest perfectional stage of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Following any of the above-mentioned three methods, one is sure to reach the supreme goal sooner or later. This was asserted by the Lord in the Second Chapter: even a little endeavor on the transcendental path offers a great hope for deliverance.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="BG Chapters 7 - 12"><h3>BG Chapters 7 - 12</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="BG121314_0" class="quote" parent="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" book="BG" index="195" link="BG 12.13-14" link_text="BG 12.13-14"> |
| | <div class="heading">He is a completely perfect mystic because he is fixed in the instructions received from the spiritual master, and because his senses are controlled he is determined. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:BG 12.13-14 (1972)|BG 12.13-14, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Whenever a devotee is in distress or has fallen into difficulty, he thinks that it is the Lord's mercy upon him. He thinks, "Thanks to my past misdeeds I should suffer far, far greater than I am suffering now. So it is by the mercy of the Supreme Lord that I am not getting all the punishment I am due. I am just getting a little, by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Therefore he is always calm, quiet and patient, despite many distressful conditions. A devotee is also always kind to everyone, even to his enemy. Nirmama means that a devotee does not attach much importance to the pains and trouble pertaining to the body because he knows perfectly well that he is not the material body. He does not identify with the body; therefore he is freed from the conception of false ego and is equipoised in happiness and distress. He is tolerant, and he is satisfied with whatever comes by the grace of the Supreme Lord. He does not endeavor much to achieve something with great difficulty; therefore he is always joyful. He is a completely perfect mystic because he is fixed in the instructions received from the spiritual master, and because his senses are controlled he is determined. He is not swayed by false arguments, because no one can lead him from the fixed determination of devotional service. He is fully conscious that Kṛṣṇa is the eternal Lord, so no one can disturb him.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" class="section" sec_index="1" parent="compilation" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2> | | <div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" class="section" sec_index="1" parent="compilation" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB_Canto_1" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 1"><h3>SB Canto 1</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB156_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_1" book="SB" index="137" link="SB 1.5.6" link_text="SB 1.5.6"> |
| | <div class="heading">The eightfold perfections of mystic power (aṣṭa-siddhi) constitute very little of his godly opulence. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 1.5.6|SB 1.5.6, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">My lord! Everything that is mysterious is known to you because you worship the creator and destroyer of the material world and the maintainer of the spiritual world, the original Personality of Godhead, who is transcendental to the three modes of material nature.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | <div class="purport text"><p>A person who is cent-percent engaged in the service of the Lord is the emblem of all knowledge. Such a devotee of the Lord in full perfection of devotional service is also perfect by the qualification of the Personality of Godhead. As such, the eightfold perfections of mystic power (aṣṭa-siddhi) constitute very little of his godly opulence. A devotee like Nārada can act wonderfully by his spiritual perfection, which every individual is trying to attain. Śrīla Nārada is a cent-percent perfect living being, although not equal to the Personality of Godhead.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB11028_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_1" book="SB" index="391" link="SB 1.10.28" link_text="SB 1.10.28"> |
| | <div class="heading">The rites, as they are, are not an end in themselves, nor are fruitive action, culture of knowledge or perfection in mystic powers ends in themselves. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 1.10.28|SB 1.10.28, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The Lord is always perfect in Himself, and thus He has no hankering for Himself. He, however, becomes a master, a friend, a son or a husband to fulfill the intense love of the devotee concerned. Herein two classes of devotees of the Lord are mentioned in the stage of conjugal love. One is svakīya, and the other is parakīya. Both of them are in conjugal love with the Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa. The queens at Dvārakā were svakīya, or duly married wives, but the damsels of Vraja were young friends of the Lord while He was unmarried. The Lord stayed at Vṛndāvana till the age of sixteen, and His friendly relations with the neighboring girls were in terms of parakīya. These girls, as well as the queens, underwent severe penances by taking vows, bathing and offering sacrifices in the fire, as prescribed in the scriptures. The rites, as they are, are not an end in themselves, nor are fruitive action, culture of knowledge or perfection in mystic powers ends in themselves. They are all means to attain to the highest stage of svarūpa, to render constitutional transcendental service to the Lord. Each and every living being has his individual position in one of the above-mentioned five different kinds of reciprocating means with the Lord, and in one's pure spiritual form of svarūpa the relation becomes manifest without mundane affinity.</p> |
| | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="SB_Canto_2" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 2"><h3>SB Canto 2</h3> | | <div id="SB_Canto_2" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 2"><h3>SB Canto 2</h3> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="SB2935_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="313" link="SB 2.9.35" link_text="SB 2.9.35"> | | <div id="SB2416_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="112" link="SB 2.4.16" link_text="SB 2.4.16"> |
| | <div class="heading">In the Bhagavad-gītā there are various descriptions for varṇāśrama-dharma, sannyāsa-dharma, yati-dharma, the renounced order of life, controlling the senses, meditation, perfection of mystic powers, etc., but one who fully surrenders unto the Lord to render service unto Him, out of spontaneous love for Him, factually assimilates the essence of all knowledge described in the Vedas. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.4.16|SB 2.4.16, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Persons who are intelligent take serious notice of this last instruction of the Lord. Knowledge of the self is the first step in spiritual realization, which is called confidential knowledge, and a step further is God realization, which is called more confidential knowledge. The culmination of the knowledge of Bhagavad-gītā is God realization, and when one attains this stage of God realization, he naturally, voluntarily becomes a devotee of the Lord to render Him loving transcendental service. This devotional service to the Lord is always based on love of God and is distinct from the nature of routine service as prescribed in karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga or dhyāna-yoga. In the Bhagavad-gītā there are different instructions for such men of different categories, and there are various descriptions for varṇāśrama-dharma, sannyāsa-dharma, yati-dharma, the renounced order of life, controlling the senses, meditation, perfection of mystic powers, etc., but one who fully surrenders unto the Lord to render service unto Him, out of spontaneous love for Him, factually assimilates the essence of all knowledge described in the Vedas. One who adopts this method very skillfully attains perfection of life at once. And this perfection of human life is called brahma-gati, or the progressive march in spiritual existence. As enunciated by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī on the basis of Vedic assurances, brahma-gati means to attain a spiritual form as good as that of the Lord, and in that form the liberated living being eternally lives on one of the spiritual planets situated in the spiritual sky.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB2419_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="115" link="SB 2.4.19" link_text="SB 2.4.19"> |
| | <div class="heading">Those who are after fruitive results for their pious activities, those who desire salvation and identity with the Supreme, and those who desire material perfections of mystic power are all restless because they want something for themselves, but the devotee is completely peaceful because he has no demand for himself and is always ready to serve the desire of the Lord. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.4.19|SB 2.4.19, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The examples of Brahmā and Lord Śiva are specifically cited here because Brahmājī, Lord Śiva, Śrīmatī Lakṣmījī and the four Kumāras (Sanaka, Sanātana, etc.) are leaders of the four desireless Vaiṣṇava sampradāyas. They are all freed from all pretensions. Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī interprets the word gata-vyalīkaiḥ as projjhita-kaitavaiḥ, or those who are freed from all pretensions (the unalloyed devotees only). In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 19.149|CC Madhya 19.149]]) it is said:</p> |
| | :kṛṣṇa-bhakta—niṣkāma, ata eva 'śānta' |
| | :bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī, sakali 'aśānta' |
| | <p>Those who are after fruitive results for their pious activities, those who desire salvation and identity with the Supreme, and those who desire material perfections of mystic power are all restless because they want something for themselves, but the devotee is completely peaceful because he has no demand for himself and is always ready to serve the desire of the Lord. The conclusion is, therefore, that the Lord is for everyone because no one can achieve the result of his respective desires without His sanction, but as stated by the Lord in Bhagavad-gītā (8.9), all such results are awarded by Him only, for the Lord is adhīśvara (the original controller) of everyone, namely the Vedāntists, the great karma-kāṇḍīyas, the great religious leaders, the great performers of austerity and all who are striving for spiritual advancement. But ultimately He is realized by the pretensionless devotees only. Therefore special stress is given to the devotional service of the Lord by Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB2820_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="269" link="SB 2.8.20" link_text="SB 2.8.20"> |
| | <div class="heading">How does the perfect mystic become detached from the subtle astral body? |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.8.20|SB 2.8.20, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">What are the opulences of the great mystics, and what is their ultimate realization? How does the perfect mystic become detached from the subtle astral body? What is the basic knowledge of the Vedic literatures, including the branches of history and the supplementary Purāṇas?</p> |
| | </div> |
| | <div class="purport text"><p>The yogeśvara, or the master of mystic powers, can exhibit eight kinds of wonders of perfection by becoming smaller than the atom or lighter than a feather, getting anything and everything he desires, going anywhere and everywhere he likes, creating even a planet in the sky, etc. There are many yogeśvaras having different proficiencies in these wonderful powers, and the topmost of all of them is Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva is the greatest yogī, and he can perform such wonderful things, far beyond the ordinary living beings. The devotees of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, do not directly practice the process of mystic powers, but, by the grace of the Lord, His devotee can defeat even a great yogeśvara like Durvāsā Muni, who picked a quarrel with Mahārāja Ambarīṣa and wanted to show the wonderful achievements of his mystic powers. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was a pure devotee of the Lord, and thus without any effort on his part the Lord saved him from the wrath of Yogeśvara Durvāsā Muni, and the latter was obliged to beg pardon from the King.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB2935_4" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="313" link="SB 2.9.35" link_text="SB 2.9.35"> |
| <div class="heading">Out of all kinds of perfections attained by the process of knowledge, yoga perfection in devotional service is the highest of all and the most mysterious also, even more mysterious than the eight kinds of mystic perfection attained by the process of yogic performances. | | <div class="heading">Out of all kinds of perfections attained by the process of knowledge, yoga perfection in devotional service is the highest of all and the most mysterious also, even more mysterious than the eight kinds of mystic perfection attained by the process of yogic performances. |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <div id="SB_Canto_3" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 3"><h3>SB Canto 3</h3> | | <div id="SB_Canto_3" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 3"><h3>SB Canto 3</h3> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="SB32537_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="1040" link="SB 3.25.37" link_text="SB 3.25.37"> | | <div id="SB31117_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="398" link="SB 3.11.17" link_text="SB 3.11.17"> |
| | <div class="heading">Those who have reached the highest perfectional stage of mystic power and can see everything in the past, present and future are called tri-kāla-jñas. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.11.17|SB 3.11.17, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">O spiritually powerful one, you can understand the movements of eternal time, which is the controlling form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because you are a self-realized person, you can see everything by the power of mystic vision.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | <div class="purport text"><p>Those who have reached the highest perfectional stage of mystic power and can see everything in the past, present and future are called tri-kāla-jñas. Similarly, the devotees of the Lord can see everything clearly that is in the revealed scriptures. The devotees of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa can very easily understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, as well as the situation of the material and spiritual creations, without difficulty. Devotees do not have to endeavor for any yoga-siddhi, or perfection in mystic powers. They are competent to understand everything by the grace of the Lord, who is sitting in everyone's heart.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB32537_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="1040" link="SB 3.25.37" link_text="SB 3.25.37"> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.25.37|SB 3.25.37, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Thus because he is completely absorbed in thought of Me, the devotee does not desire even the highest benediction obtainable in the upper planetary systems, including Satyaloka. He does not desire the eight material perfections obtained from mystic yoga, nor does he desire to be elevated to the kingdom of God. Yet even without desiring them, the devotee enjoys, even in this life, all the offered benedictions.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 3.25.37|SB 3.25.37, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Thus because he is completely absorbed in thought of Me, the devotee does not desire even the highest benediction obtainable in the upper planetary systems, including Satyaloka. He does not desire the eight material perfections obtained from mystic yoga, nor does he desire to be elevated to the kingdom of God. Yet even without desiring them, the devotee enjoys, even in this life, all the offered benedictions.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="SB3321215_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="1326" link="SB 3.32.12-15" link_text="SB 3.32.12-15"> | | <div id="SB3321215_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_3" book="SB" index="1326" link="SB 3.32.12-15" link_text="SB 3.32.12-15"> |
| <div class="heading">Brahmā and the great ṛṣis and the great master of yoga (Śiva) are not ordinary living entities; they are very powerful and have all the perfections of mystic yoga. | | <div class="heading">Brahmā and the great ṛṣis and the great master of yoga (Śiva) are not ordinary living entities; they are very powerful and have all the perfections of mystic yoga. |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="SB42248_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="929" link="SB 4.22.48" link_text="SB 4.22.48"> | | <div id="SB4222_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="883" link="SB 4.22.2" link_text="SB 4.22.2"> |
| | <div class="heading">One who has attained perfection in yoga practice immediately becomes master of the eight mystic perfections—to become smaller than the smallest, to become lighter than the lightest, to become bigger than the biggest, to achieve anything one desires, to control everything, etc. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.22.2|SB 4.22.2, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The four Kumāras are described herein as siddheśvarān, which means "masters of all mystic power." One who has attained perfection in yoga practice immediately becomes master of the eight mystic perfections—to become smaller than the smallest, to become lighter than the lightest, to become bigger than the biggest, to achieve anything one desires, to control everything, etc. These four Kumāras, as siddheśvaras, had achieved all the yogic perfectional achievements, and as such they could travel in outer space without machines. While they were coming to Mahārāja Pṛthu from other planets, they did not come by airplane, but personally. In other words, these four Kumāras were also spacemen who could travel in space without machines. The residents of the planet known as Siddhaloka can travel in outer space from one planet to another without vehicles. However, the special power of the Kumāras mentioned herewith is that whatever place they went to would immediately become sinless. During the reign of Mahārāja Pṛthu, everything on the surface of this globe was sinless, and therefore the Kumāras decided to see the King. Ordinarily they do not go to any planet which is sinful.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB42248_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="929" link="SB 4.22.48" link_text="SB 4.22.48"> |
| <div class="heading">Such great saintly persons who have attained complete perfection in mystic yoga are not visible in this age on earth because humanity is not worthy of their presence. | | <div class="heading">Such great saintly persons who have attained complete perfection in mystic yoga are not visible in this age on earth because humanity is not worthy of their presence. |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="SB43120_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="1379" link="SB 4.31.20" link_text="SB 4.31.20"> | | <div id="SB42311_4" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="953" link="SB 4.23.11" link_text="SB 4.23.11"> |
| | <div class="heading">The karmīs are very much attached to material enjoyment, the jñānīs are very anxious to become freed from material clutches, and the yogīs are very fond of attaining the eight kinds of mystic perfection. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.23.11|SB 4.23.11, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">In the Nārada-pañcarātra, devotional service to the Lord is likened unto a queen. When a queen gives an audience, many maidservants follow her. The maidservants of devotional service are material opulence, liberation and mystic powers. The karmīs are very much attached to material enjoyment, the jñānīs are very anxious to become freed from material clutches, and the yogīs are very fond of attaining the eight kinds of mystic perfection. From the Nārada-pañcarātra we understand that if one attains the stage of pure devotional service, he also attains all the opulences derived from fruitive activities, empiric philosophical speculation and mystic yogic practice. Śrīla Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura therefore prayed in his Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta: "My dear Lord, if I have unflinching devotion to You, You become manifest before me personally, and the results of fruitive activity and empiric philosophical speculation—namely religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation—become like personal attendants and remain standing before me as if awaiting my order." The idea here is that the jñānīs, by culture of brahma-vidyā, spiritual knowledge, struggle very hard to get out of the clutches of material nature, but a devotee, by dint of his advancement in devotional service, automatically becomes detached from his material body. When the devotee's spiritual body begins to manifest, he actually enters into his activities in transcendental life.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB43120_5" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="1379" link="SB 4.31.20" link_text="SB 4.31.20"> |
| <div class="heading">As the mind is completely cleansed, one attains the perfectional stage of mystic yoga, for then the yogī always sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart. | | <div class="heading">As the mind is completely cleansed, one attains the perfectional stage of mystic yoga, for then the yogī always sees the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart. |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="SB92112_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_9" book="SB" index="729" link="SB 9.21.12" link_text="SB 9.21.12"> | | <div id="SB9126_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_9" book="SB" index="434" link="SB 9.12.6" link_text="SB 9.12.6"> |
| | <div class="heading">At least five thousand years ago, Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī ascertained the existence of Maru in Kalāpa-grāma and said that Maru, having achieved a yoga-siddha body, would continue to exist until the end of Kali-yuga, which is calculated to continue for 432,000 years. Such is the perfection of mystic power. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 9.12.6|SB 9.12.6, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">At least five thousand years ago, Śrīla Śukadeva Gosvāmī ascertained the existence of Maru in Kalāpa-grāma and said that Maru, having achieved a yoga-siddha body, would continue to exist until the end of Kali-yuga, which is calculated to continue for 432,000 years. Such is the perfection of mystic power. By controlling the breath, the perfect yogī can continue his life for as long as he likes. Sometimes we hear from the Vedic literature that some personalities from the Vedic age, such as Vyāsadeva and Aśvatthāmā, are still living. Here we understand that Maru is also still living. We are sometimes surprised that a mortal body can live for such a long time. The explanation of this longevity is given here by the word yoga-siddha. If one becomes perfect in the practice of yoga, he can live as long as he likes. The demonstration of some trifling yoga-siddha does not constitute perfection. Here is a factual example of perfection: a yoga-siddha can live as long as he likes.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB92112_2" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_9" book="SB" index="729" link="SB 9.21.12" link_text="SB 9.21.12"> |
| <div class="heading">I do not pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for the eight perfections of mystic yoga, nor for salvation from repeated birth and death. | | <div class="heading">I do not pray to the Supreme Personality of Godhead for the eight perfections of mystic yoga, nor for salvation from repeated birth and death. |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| <div class="purport text"><p>Vāsudeva Datta made a similar statement to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, requesting the Lord to liberate all living entities in His presence. Vāsudeva Datta submitted that if they were unfit to be liberated, he himself would take all their sinful reactions and suffer personally so that the Lord might deliver them. A Vaiṣṇava is therefore described as being para-duḥkha-duḥkhī, very much aggrieved by the sufferings of others. As such, a Vaiṣṇava engages in activities for the real welfare of human society.</p> | | <div class="purport text"><p>Vāsudeva Datta made a similar statement to Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, requesting the Lord to liberate all living entities in His presence. Vāsudeva Datta submitted that if they were unfit to be liberated, he himself would take all their sinful reactions and suffer personally so that the Lord might deliver them. A Vaiṣṇava is therefore described as being para-duḥkha-duḥkhī, very much aggrieved by the sufferings of others. As such, a Vaiṣṇava engages in activities for the real welfare of human society.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="SB92324_3" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_9" book="SB" index="805" link="SB 9.23.24" link_text="SB 9.23.24"> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 9.23.24|SB 9.23.24, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The son of Kṛtavīrya was Arjuna. He (Kārtavīryārjuna) became the emperor of the entire world, consisting of seven islands, and received mystic power from Dattātreya, the incarnation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Thus he obtained the mystic perfections known as aṣṭa-siddhi.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" class="section" sec_index="3" parent="compilation" text="Other Books by Srila Prabhupada"><h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2> | | <div id="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" class="section" sec_index="3" parent="compilation" text="Other Books by Srila Prabhupada"><h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya"><h3>Teachings of Lord Caitanya</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TLC15_0" class="quote" parent="Teachings_of_Lord_Caitanya" book="OB" index="21" link="TLC 15" link_text="Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 15"> |
| | <div class="heading">Generally people are engaged in transcendental activities for three reasons: some want material happiness, some want mystic perfection and some want liberation from material bondage. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:TLC 15|Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Chapter 15]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The word kurvanti is used to mean "working for others." There is another word similar to this which is used when one's activities are done for one's own personal sense gratification, but the word kurvanti is used when activities are performed for the satisfaction of the Supreme. Thus in this verse the word can only indicate the rendering of transcendental service to the Lord.</p> |
| | <p>The word hetu is used to indicate the reason or cause. Generally people are engaged in transcendental activities for three reasons: some want material happiness, some want mystic perfection and some want liberation from material bondage. As far as material enjoyment is concerned, there are so many varieties that no one can enumerate them. As far as perfections in mystic power are concerned, there are eighteen, and as far as types of liberation from material bondage are concerned, there are five. The state of being where all these varieties of enjoyment are conspicuous by their absence is called ahaitukī. The ahaitukī qualification is especially mentioned because by the ahaitukī service of the Lord, one can achieve the favor of the Lord.</p> |
| | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="Nectar_of_Devotion" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Nectar of Devotion"><h3>Nectar of Devotion</h3> | | <div id="Nectar_of_Devotion" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Nectar of Devotion"><h3>Nectar of Devotion</h3> |
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| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 1|Nectar of Devotion 1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The modern scientists have manufactured nuclear weapons with which they can destroy an insignificant part of this planet, but by the yoga-siddhi known as īśitā one can create and destroy an entire planet simply at will. Another perfection is called vaśitā, and by this perfection one can bring anyone under his control. This is a kind of hypnotism which is almost irresistible. Sometimes it is found that a yogī who may have attained a little perfection in this vaśitā mystic power comes out among the people and speaks all sorts of nonsense, controls their minds, exploits them, takes their money and then goes away.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 1|Nectar of Devotion 1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The modern scientists have manufactured nuclear weapons with which they can destroy an insignificant part of this planet, but by the yoga-siddhi known as īśitā one can create and destroy an entire planet simply at will. Another perfection is called vaśitā, and by this perfection one can bring anyone under his control. This is a kind of hypnotism which is almost irresistible. Sometimes it is found that a yogī who may have attained a little perfection in this vaśitā mystic power comes out among the people and speaks all sorts of nonsense, controls their minds, exploits them, takes their money and then goes away.</p> |
| <p>There is another mystic perfection, which is known as prākāmya (magic). By this prākāmya power one can achieve anything he likes. For example, one can make water enter into his eye and then again come out from within the eye. Simply by his will he can perform such wonderful activities.</p> | | <p>There is another mystic perfection, which is known as prākāmya (magic). By this prākāmya power one can achieve anything he likes. For example, one can make water enter into his eye and then again come out from within the eye. Simply by his will he can perform such wonderful activities.</p> |
| | <p>The highest perfection of mystic power is called kāmāvasāyitā. This is also magic, but whereas the prākāmya power acts to create wonderful effects within the scope of nature, kāmāvasāyitā permits one to contradict nature—in other words, to do the impossible. Of course, one can derive great amounts of temporary happiness by achieving such yogic materialistic perfections.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="NOD12_5" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="79" link="NOD 12" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 12"> | | <div id="NOD4_5" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="13" link="NOD 4" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 4"> |
| | <div class="heading">"I do not aspire to this. Nor do I wish the mystic perfections of yoga practice, nor do I aspire to spiritual emancipation. All I wish for, my Lord, is Your association and transcendental service eternally." |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:NOD 4|Nectar of Devotion 4]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">In the Bhāgavatam, Sixth Canto, Eleventh Chapter, verse 25, there is a similar statement by Vṛtrāsura, who addresses the Lord as follows: "My dear Lord, by leaving Your transcendental service I may be promoted to the planet called Dhruvaloka (the polestar), or I may gain lordship over all the planetary systems of the universe. But I do not aspire to this. Nor do I wish the mystic perfections of yoga practice, nor do I aspire to spiritual emancipation. All I wish for, my Lord, is Your association and transcendental service eternally."</p> |
| | <p>This statement is confirmed by Lord Śiva in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Sixth Canto, Seventeenth Chapter, verse 28, wherein Lord Śiva addresses Satī thus: "My dear Satī, persons who are devoted to Nārāyaṇa (Kṛṣṇa) are not afraid of anything. If they are elevated to the higher planetary systems, or if they get liberation from material contamination, or if they are pushed down to the hellish condition of life—or, in fact, in any situation whatever—they are not afraid of anything.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="NOD12_6" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="79" link="NOD 12" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 12"> |
| <div class="heading">It is specifically mentioned that the karmīs who are aspiring after the fruitive results of their activities, the salvationists who are aspiring to become one with the Supreme Person, and the yogīs who are aspiring after mystic perfections can achieve the results of all perfectional stages simply by chanting the mahā-mantra. | | <div class="heading">It is specifically mentioned that the karmīs who are aspiring after the fruitive results of their activities, the salvationists who are aspiring to become one with the Supreme Person, and the yogīs who are aspiring after mystic perfections can achieve the results of all perfectional stages simply by chanting the mahā-mantra. |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="NOD21_6" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="106" link="NOD 21" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 21"> | | <div id="NOD21_7" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion" book="OB" index="106" link="NOD 21" link_text="Nectar of Devotion 21"> |
| <div class="heading">These transcendental qualities are as follows: (51) changeless; (52) all-cognizant; (53) ever fresh; (54) sac-cid-ānanda (possessing an eternal blissful body); (55) possessing all mystic perfections. | | <div class="heading">These transcendental qualities are as follows: (51) changeless; (52) all-cognizant; (53) ever fresh; (54) sac-cid-ānanda (possessing an eternal blissful body); (55) possessing all mystic perfections. |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <div id="Krsna_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead"><h3>Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead</h3> | | <div id="Krsna_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead"><h3>Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead</h3> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <div id="KB89_0" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="93" link="KB 89" link_text="Krsna Book 89"> | | <div id="KB14_0" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="18" link="KB 14" link_text="Krsna Book 14"> |
| | <div class="heading">There is no need of adopting the speculative method or exercising the body to attain mystic yoga perfection. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 14|Krsna Book 14]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">One should not uselessly labor in mental speculation to estimate the Lord's qualities. There is no need of adopting the speculative method or exercising the body to attain mystic yoga perfection. One should simply understand that the distress and happiness of this body are predestined; there is no need to try to avoid the distress of this bodily existence or to attempt to achieve happiness by different types of exercises. The best course is to surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead with body, mind and words and always be engaged in His service. This transcendental labor is fruitful, but other attempts to understand the Absolute Truth are never successful. Therefore an intelligent man does not try to understand the Absolute Truth by speculative or mystic power. Rather, he engages in devotional service and depends on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He knows that whatever may happen to the body is due to his past fruitive activities. If one lives such a simple life in devotional service, then automatically he inherits the transcendental abode of the Lord. Actually, every living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord and a son of the Godhead.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="KB44_1" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="48" link="KB 44" link_text="Krsna Book 44"> |
| | <div class="heading">The gopīs are perfectly in trance, samādhi, the highest perfectional stage of mystic power. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 44|Krsna Book 44]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The gopīs give a perfect example of how one can execute Kṛṣṇa consciousness even while performing various types of material engagements. By constantly being absorbed in the thought of Kṛṣṇa, one cannot be affected by the contamination of material activities. The gopīs, therefore, are perfectly in trance, samādhi, the highest perfectional stage of mystic power. In the Bhagavad-gītā, it is confirmed that one who is constantly thinking of Kṛṣṇa is a first-class yogī among all kinds of yogīs. "My dear friends," one lady told another, "we must accept the activities of the gopīs to be the highest form of piety; otherwise, how could they have achieved the opportunity of seeing Kṛṣṇa both morning and evening—in the morning when He goes to the pasturing ground with His cows and cowherd boyfriends, and in the evening when He returns with them, playing on His flute and smiling very brilliantly?"</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="KB49_2" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="53" link="KB 49" link_text="Krsna Book 49"> |
| | <div class="heading">Even those trying for liberation, or merging into the Brahman effulgence, or the yogīs who try to achieve perfection in mystic power cannot have peace of mind. Pure devotees of Kṛṣṇa have no demands to make of Kṛṣṇa. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:KB 49|Krsna Book 49]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Akrūra continued: "My dear Dhṛtarāṣṭra, I beg to advise you not to be blind to the facts of material existence. Material, conditioned life, either in distress or in happiness, is to be accepted as a dream. One should try to bring his mind and senses under control and live peacefully for spiritual advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness." In the Caitanya-caritāmṛta it is said that except for persons in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, everyone is always disturbed in mind and full of anxiety. Even those trying for liberation, or merging into the Brahman effulgence, or the yogīs who try to achieve perfection in mystic power cannot have peace of mind. Pure devotees of Kṛṣṇa have no demands to make of Kṛṣṇa. They are simply satisfied with service to Him. Actual peace and mental tranquillity can be attained only in perfect Kṛṣṇa consciousness.</p> |
| | <p>After hearing these moral instructions from Akrūra, Dhṛtarāṣṭra replied, “My dear Akrūra, you are very charitable in giving me good instructions, but unfortunately I cannot accept them. A person destined to die does not utilize the effects of nectar, although it may be administered to him. I can understand that your instructions are valuable. Unfortunately, they do not stay in my flickering mind, just as the glittering lightning in the sky does not stay fixed in a cloud."</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="KB89_3" class="quote" parent="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" book="OB" index="93" link="KB 89" link_text="Krsna Book 89"> |
| <div class="heading">Thus condemned by the brāhmaṇa, Arjuna empowered himself with a mystic yoga perfection so that he could travel to any planet to find the brāhmaṇa's baby. | | <div class="heading">Thus condemned by the brāhmaṇa, Arjuna empowered himself with a mystic yoga perfection so that he could travel to any planet to find the brāhmaṇa's baby. |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <div class="heading">Even the eight kinds of mystic perfections are puny compared with the bliss of being an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. And surrender is the only means to attain this state; no artificial method can be applied. | | <div class="heading">Even the eight kinds of mystic perfections are puny compared with the bliss of being an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. And surrender is the only means to attain this state; no artificial method can be applied. |
| </div> | | </div> |
| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 5.1|Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The moment the spirit soul surrenders completely at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord and prays to Him for engagement in His loving devotional service, the soul is freed from the bondage of fruitive reactions. In this stage he proves the truth of the scriptural injunction jīvera svarūpa haya kṛṣṇera nitya-dāsa: ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 20.108|CC Madhya 20.108]]) "In his original spiritual identity, the spirit soul is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa." This position gives the soul immense bliss. It is wrong to equate the position of an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa with that of a slave of māyā, the illusory potency of Kṛṣṇa. In other words, the feelings of power and pleasure gained by lording it over matter are insignificant compared to the ecstacy one feels in the Lord's service. Even the eight kinds of mystic perfections are puny compared with the bliss of being an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. And surrender is the only means to attain this state; no artificial method can be applied. The awakening of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is the perfection of the living entity, is obtained only by surrendering to the Lord, the propensity for which is eternally inherent in the jīva.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 5.1|Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The moment the spirit soul surrenders completely at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord and prays to Him for engagement in His loving devotional service, the soul is freed from the bondage of fruitive reactions. In this stage he proves the truth of the scriptural injunction jīvera svarūpa haya kṛṣṇera nitya-dāsa: ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 20.108-109|CC Madhya 20.108]]) "In his original spiritual identity, the spirit soul is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa." This position gives the soul immense bliss. It is wrong to equate the position of an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa with that of a slave of māyā, the illusory potency of Kṛṣṇa. In other words, the feelings of power and pleasure gained by lording it over matter are insignificant compared to the ecstacy one feels in the Lord's service. Even the eight kinds of mystic perfections are puny compared with the bliss of being an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. And surrender is the only means to attain this state; no artificial method can be applied. The awakening of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is the perfection of the living entity, is obtained only by surrendering to the Lord, the propensity for which is eternally inherent in the jīva.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="RTW51_7" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="39" link="RTW 5.1" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1"> |
| | <div class="heading">Another danger is this: If we were to receive all His mercy at once, we would become corrupt and fallen, like many yogīs who attain mystic perfection. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 5.1|Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">However, since it is not possible to attain such a mood of complete surrender in a moment, we should also not expect the Lord's mercy to manifest before us instantaneously. Although the Lord, and sometimes even His devotees, perform miracles, still we must not expect such extraordinary things to happen to us. Of course, it is certain that the degree of mercy the Lord bestows upon us is much greater than our degree of surrender to Him. Another danger is this: If we were to receive all His mercy at once, we would become corrupt and fallen, like many yogīs who attain mystic perfection. Better that we continue to perform our duties in a regulated way, with patience and enthusiasm; then undoubtedly we will receive the Lord's full mercy.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="RTW51_8" class="quote" parent="Renunciation_Through_Wisdom" book="OB" index="39" link="RTW 5.1" link_text="Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1"> |
| | <div class="heading">Even the eight kinds of mystic perfections are puny compared with the bliss of being an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:RTW 5.1|Renunciation Through Wisdom 5.1]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The moment the spirit soul surrenders completely at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord and prays to Him for engagement in His loving devotional service, the soul is freed from the bondage of fruitive reactions. In this stage he proves the truth of the scriptural injunction jīvera svarūpa haya kṛṣṇera nitya-dāsa: ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 20.108-109|CC Madhya 20.108]]) "In his original spiritual identity, the spirit soul is an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa." This position gives the soul immense bliss. It is wrong to equate the position of an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa with that of a slave of māyā, the illusory potency of Kṛṣṇa. In other words, the feelings of power and pleasure gained by lording it over matter are insignificant compared to the ecstacy one feels in the Lord's service. Even the eight kinds of mystic perfections are puny compared with the bliss of being an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. And surrender is the only means to attain this state; no artificial method can be applied. The awakening of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which is the perfection of the living entity, is obtained only by surrendering to the Lord, the propensity for which is eternally inherent in the jīva.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |
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| <span class="link">[[Vanisource:NBS 4|Narada Bhakti Sutra 4, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Before taking birth, he undergoes the miseries of living in the womb of his mother, and when he comes out he lives for a certain period and then again has to die and enter a mother's womb. But one who attains the highest perfection goes back to Godhead after leaving his present body. Once there, he doesn't have to come back to this material world and transmigrate from one body to another. That transfer to the spiritual world is the highest perfection of life. In other words, the devotee achieves his constitutional position of immortality and thus becomes completely peaceful.</p> | | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:NBS 4|Narada Bhakti Sutra 4, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">Before taking birth, he undergoes the miseries of living in the womb of his mother, and when he comes out he lives for a certain period and then again has to die and enter a mother's womb. But one who attains the highest perfection goes back to Godhead after leaving his present body. Once there, he doesn't have to come back to this material world and transmigrate from one body to another. That transfer to the spiritual world is the highest perfection of life. In other words, the devotee achieves his constitutional position of immortality and thus becomes completely peaceful.</p> |
| <p>Until a person achieves this perfection, he cannot be peaceful. He may artificially think he is one with the Supreme, but actually he is not; therefore, he has no peace. Similarly, someone may aspire for one of the eight yogic perfections in the mystic yoga process, such as to become the smallest, to become the heaviest, or to acquire anything he desires, but these achievements are material; they are not perfection. Perfection means to regain one's original spiritual form and engage in the loving service of the Lord. The living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, and if he performs the duties of the part and parcel, without proudly thinking he is one in all respects with the Supreme Lord, he attains real perfection and becomes peaceful.</p> | | <p>Until a person achieves this perfection, he cannot be peaceful. He may artificially think he is one with the Supreme, but actually he is not; therefore, he has no peace. Similarly, someone may aspire for one of the eight yogic perfections in the mystic yoga process, such as to become the smallest, to become the heaviest, or to acquire anything he desires, but these achievements are material; they are not perfection. Perfection means to regain one's original spiritual form and engage in the loving service of the Lord. The living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, and if he performs the duties of the part and parcel, without proudly thinking he is one in all respects with the Supreme Lord, he attains real perfection and becomes peaceful.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Lectures" class="section" sec_index="4" parent="compilation" text="Lectures"><h2>Lectures</h2> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Lectures" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures"><h3>Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="LectureonBG51725LosAngelesFebruary81969_0" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="205" link="Lecture on BG 5.17-25 -- Los Angeles, February 8, 1969" link_text="Lecture on BG 5.17-25 -- Los Angeles, February 8, 1969"> |
| | <div class="heading">How this process can give you that understanding within? How? One may question that "How it is possible within?" Yes, it is possible. The example is given by Gosvāmīs. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 5.17-25 -- Los Angeles, February 8, 1969|Lecture on BG 5.17-25 -- Los Angeles, February 8, 1969]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Revatīnandana: "Verse 24: One whose happiness is within, who is active within, and who rejoices within, and is illumined within is actually the perfect mystic. He is liberated in the Supreme and ultimately he attains the Supreme ([[Vanisource:BG 5.24 (1972)|BG 5.24]])."</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: Within. Within means self-satisfied. Bhakti... How this process can give you that understanding within? How? One may question that "How it is possible within?" Yes, it is possible. The example is given by Gosvāmīs that just like a hungry man, he wants some food, he's demanding some food, and if you give him nice food he eats, and with each morsel of food he realizes within that "I am eating. I am getting strength. I am satisfied." Is it not? Similarly, you begin this Kṛṣṇa consciousness chanting. You will feel yourself, "Yes. Yes, I am doing something. Yes, I am eating something. Yes, I am getting spiritual strength." Is it not a fact? Actually, if somebody is disturbed, then it is to be understood that his disease is little more acute. Otherwise, in normal condition, if he chants and follows the regulation, then he will feel, "Yes, I am doing something. I am getting something. I am getting strength. I am getting satisfaction. I am feeing I am spiritually advancing." These things will manifest automatically simply by chanting.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="LectureonBG63545LosAngelesFebruary201969_1" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="220" link="Lecture on BG 6.35-45 -- Los Angeles, February 20, 1969" link_text="Lecture on BG 6.35-45 -- Los Angeles, February 20, 1969"> |
| | <div class="heading">Now, before coming to the point of self-realization, one must take it granted—that is the beginning of Bhagavad-gītā, that he is not this body. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 6.35-45 -- Los Angeles, February 20, 1969|Lecture on BG 6.35-45 -- Los Angeles, February 20, 1969]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Devotee: "Arjuna said: 'What is the destination of a man of faith who does not persevere? Who in the beginning takes to the process of self-realization but who later desists due to worldly mindedness and thus does not attain perfection in mysticism?' " Purport: "The path of self-realization of mysticism is described in the Bhagavad-gītā. The basic principle of self-realization is knowledge that the living entity is not this material body but that he is different from it and his happiness is in eternal life, bliss and knowledge."</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: Now, before coming to the point of self-realization, one must take it granted—that is the beginning of Bhagavad-gītā, that he is not this body. That the living entity is not this material body but that he is different from it and his happiness is in eternal life. This life is not eternal. The perfection of yoga system means to get eternal life, blissful life and full of knowledge. That is perfection. So we have to execute any yoga system with that aim. Not that I attend some yoga class to reduce fat or to keep my body very fit for sense gratification. This is not the end of yoga system. But people are taught like that. "Oh, if you practice this yoga system." That you can do if you undergo any exercise process your body will be kept fit.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Lectures" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures"><h3>Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="LectureonSB1234VrndavanaNovember131972_0" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="102" link="Lecture on SB 1.2.34 -- Vrndavana, November 13, 1972" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.2.34 -- Vrndavana, November 13, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">Others, they try to become God by mystic power. We have heard so many so-called Gods, that "He attained such perfection of mystic power. Now he has become God." That is also another māyā. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.2.34 -- Vrndavana, November 13, 1972|Lecture on SB 1.2.34 -- Vrndavana, November 13, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">The modern fashion is that they want to become God by meditation, by advancement of mystic power. But that kind of God is not Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa does not become God; He's God always. Others, they try to become God by mystic power. We have heard so many so-called Gods, that "He attained such perfection of mystic power. Now he has become God." That is also another māyā. Nobody can become God. God is God; dog is dog. This is the law of identity. A dog cannot become God, neither God becomes dog. This is Māyāvāda theory that at the end the Absolute Truth is void, or impersonal. The Buddhist theory is void and the Māyāvādī theory is impersonal. But our philosophy is that God is originally the Supreme Person. Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate ([[Vanisource:SB 1.2.11|SB 1.2.11]]). We have discussed this point many times.</p> |
| | <p>Now, here it is said: līlāvatārānurato deva-tiryaṅ-narādiṣu ([[Vanisource:SB 1.2.34|SB 1.2.34]]). God is always anxious to get us back, back to home, back to Godhead. So apart from His incarnations amongst the deva, demigods... Just like Upendra, Lord Vāmanadeva, He appeared amongst the demigods. There are so many other incarnations, demigods. Tiryaṅ-narādi, tiryak. God appeared as incarnation of boar, incarnation of horse, incarnation of tortoise. Keśava dhṛta-kūrma-śarīra jaya jagadīśa hare.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Lectures" text="Nectar of Devotion Lectures"><h3>Nectar of Devotion Lectures</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaNovember91972_0" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="37" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">Yoga siddhis, they are simply material arts. Just like one example is given, that aṇimā siddhi, aṇimā siddhi means to enter into the stone. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Pradyumna: "There are many instances, especially in India, where these Māyāvādī sannyāsīs descend to the material platform again. But a person who is fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness will never return to any sort of material platform. However alluring and attracting they may be, he always knows that no material welfare activities can be compared with the spiritual activity of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The mystic perfections achieved by actually successful yogis are eight in number. Aṇimā-siddhi refers to the power by which one can become so small that he can enter into a stone. Modern scientific improvements also enable us to enter into stone because they provide for excavating so many subways, penetrating the hills, etc. So aṇimā-siddhi, the mystic perfection of trying to enter into stone, has also been achieved by material science. Similarly, all of the yoga siddhis, or perfections, are material arts."</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: Yoga siddhis, they are simply material arts. Just like one example is given, that aṇimā siddhi, aṇimā siddhi means to enter into the stone. So we see in the Western countries they are boring big, big hills and entering in the stone. So that aṇimā siddhi is being possible, is made possible by modern scientific research. So all the siddhis, aṣṭa siddhi, aṇimā, laghimā, prāpti, prākāmya, īśitā, vaśitā, these all siddhis are material. They are not spiritual. But people do not know what is spiritual perfection. They become amazed by seeing some magic by these yogic arts. They're simply material arts.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaNovember91972_1" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="37" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">Bhakti-yoga is the greatest science. Other things, the yogic perfections, can be achieved by the materialist scientists. So that is not very great art. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Pradyumna: "For example, in one yoga siddhi there is development of the power to become so light that one can float in the air or on water. That is also being performed by modern scientists. They are flying in air, they are floating on the surface of the water, and they are traveling under the water. After comparing all these mystic siddhis to materialistic perfections it is found that the materialistic scientists try for the same perfections. So actually there is no difference between mystic perfection and materialistic perfection. A German scholar once said that the so-called yoga perfections have already been achieved by the modern scientists and so he was not concerned with them. He intelligently went to India to learn how he could understand his eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord by means of bhakti-yoga, devotional service."</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: Therefore, bhakti-yoga is the greatest science. Other things, the yogic perfections, can be achieved by the materialist scientists. So that is not very great art. The greatest art to learn is how to learn bhakti-yoga and understand Kṛṣṇa. Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti ([[Vanisource:BG 18.55 (1972)|BG 18.55]]).</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaNovember91972_2" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="37" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972"> |
| | <div class="heading">Kṛṣṇa is called Yogeśvara. He's also the master of all yogic mystic power. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 9, 1972]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Pradyumna: There is another mystic perfection which is known as prākāmya or magic. By this prākāmya power one can achieve anything he likes. For example, one can make water enter into his eye and then again come out from within the eye. Simply by his will he can perform such wonderful activities. The highest perfection of mystic power is called kāmāvasāyitā. This is also magic, but whereas the prākāmya power acts to create wonderful effects within the scope of nature, kāmāvasāyitā permits one to contradict nature—in other words, to do the impossible. Of course, one can achieve great amounts of temporary happiness by achieving such yogic materialistic perfections."</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa is called Yogeśvara. He's also the master of all yogic mystic power. Therefore a bhakta, a true devotee of Kṛṣṇa, he does not endeavor personally to achieve all these yogic mystic power. He depends on Kṛṣṇa, and if there is necessity of exhibiting some yogic power, Kṛṣṇa will show. Kṛṣṇa will exhibit. Yatra yogeśvaraḥ hariḥ. So although Arjuna did not manifest any yogic power, but, by Kṛṣṇa's grace everything was so wonderfully performed in the Battle of Kurukṣetra. Otherwise Arjuna was a, an insignificant warrior in front of Bhīṣma, Karṇa, Dronācārya. This is admitted by Mahārāja Parīkṣit, that it is simply by the grace of Kṛṣṇa that his grandfather came out victorious in front of Bhīṣma, Karṇa, Dronācārya and similar great heroes. So if any heroic action has to be shown, the devotee does not endeavor separately for showing such heroic manifestation. Because he depends on Kṛṣṇa, if there is need, then Kṛṣṇa will show.</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="TheNectarofDevotionCalcuttaJanuary311973_3" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="48" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Calcutta, January 31, 1973" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Calcutta, January 31, 1973"> |
| | <div class="heading">This was spoken by the nāga-patnī when Kāliya was being punished by Lord Kṛṣṇa, kicking over his head. |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Calcutta, January 31, 1973|The Nectar of Devotion -- Calcutta, January 31, 1973]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Mādhavānanda: "There is a similar prayer by the nāga-patnī (wives of the Kāliya serpent), in the Tenth Canto of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Sixteenth Chapter, verse 33. The nāga-patnī say there, 'My dear Lord, the dust of Your lotus feet is very wonderful. Any person who is fortunate enough to achieve this dust does not care for heavenly planets, lordship over all the planetary systems, the mystic perfections of yoga or even liberation from the material existence. In other words, anyone who adores the dust of Your lotus feet does not care a fig for all other perfectional stages.' "</p> |
| | <p>Prabhupāda: This was spoken by the nāga-patnī when Kāliya was being punished by Lord Kṛṣṇa, kicking over his head. So this prayer was offered, that "For Your dust of Your lotus feet, so many great sages are hankering after, and they do not care for even liberation, simply to get Your, that dust of the lotus feet. We do not know how much this fortunate snake is, that he's automatically getting the dust. You are kicking on his head. We do not know what did he do in his previous life that he's so fortunate."</p> |
| | </div> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="Initiation_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Lectures" text="Initiation Lectures"><h3>Initiation Lectures</h3> |
| | </div> |
| | <div id="InitiationsLosAngelesJanuary101969_0" class="quote" parent="Initiation_Lectures" book="Lec" index="13" link="Initiations -- Los Angeles, January 10, 1969" link_text="Initiations -- Los Angeles, January 10, 1969"> |
| | <div class="heading">Siddhi, those who are yogis hankering after some material perfection, mystic perfection, he is also disturbed. He is simply thinking, "How I shall be so light that I can fly in the sky." |
| | </div> |
| | <span class="link">[[Vanisource:Initiations -- Los Angeles, January 10, 1969|Initiations -- Los Angeles, January 10, 1969]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Whether you are making progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness you have to test yourself, whether you are decreasing your material desires. That's all. Because in the perfect stage of Kṛṣṇa consciousness there is no more material desires. Svāmin kṛtārtho 'smi varaṁ na yāce: ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 22.42|CC Madhya 22.42]]) "I have no more any demand. I am fully satisfied." Kṛṣṇa-bhakta niṣkāma ataeva śānta ([[Vanisource:CC Madhya 19.149|CC Madhya 19.149]]). If you want śānti, peacefulness, then you have to become completely Kṛṣṇa conscious-kṛṣṇa-bhakta niṣkāma—because he has no more demand. And bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī sakali aśānta. And those who are karmīs, trying to elevate material position, they are all disturbed. And mukti, those who are hankering after liberation, he is also disturbed. And siddhi, those who are yogis hankering after some material perfection, mystic perfection, he is also disturbed. He is simply thinking, "How I shall be so light that I can fly in the sky." Yes. What you are? There are... So many flies are flying in the sky. (laughter) What you gain by that? But the nonsense will see, "Oh, I am now, from the ground I am now three feet high." Three feet high? A small bird is a hundred feet high. What is there? These are all nonsense. Don't be after all this nonsense.</p> |
| </div> | | </div> |
| </div> | | </div> |