The First Stages of Devotion
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we are completely under the control of the laws of nature. Only Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is controller over the laws of nature. Therefore, if we take shelter of Kṛṣṇa seriously, there will be no fear of being thrown back into the cycle of so many species of life. A sincere devotee will surely be transferred to the abode of Kṛṣṇa, as affirmed in the  Bhagavad-gītā .
In the  Padma Purāṇa  also the same process is advised. There it is said that one should always remember Lord Viṣṇu. This is called  dhyāna , or meditation—always remembering Kṛṣṇa. It is said that one has to meditate with his mind fixed upon Viṣṇu.  Padma Purāṇa  recommends that one always fix his mind on the form of Viṣṇu by meditation and not forget Him at any moment. And this state of consciousness is called  samādhi , or trance.
We should always try to mold the activities of our lives in such a way that we will constantly remember Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Whether one concentrates his mind on the four-handed form of Viṣṇu or on the form of two-handed Kṛṣṇa, it is the same. The  Padma Purāṇa  recommends: somehow or other, always think of Viṣṇu without forgetting Him under any circumstances. Actually, this is the most basic of all regulative principles. For, when there is an order from a superior about doing something, there is simultaneously a prohibition. When the order is that one should always remember Kṛṣṇa, the prohibition is that one should never forget Him. Within this simple order and prohibition all regulative principles are found complete.
This regulative principle is applicable to all  varṇas  and  āśramas , the castes and occupations of life. There are four  varṇas , namely, the  brāhmaṇas  (priests and intellectuals), the  kṣatriyas  (warriors and statesmen), the  vaiśyas  (businessmen and farmers) and the  śūdras  (laborers and servants). There are also four standard  āśramas , namely  brahmacarya  (student life),  gṛhastha  (householder),  vānaprastha  (retired) and  sannyāsa  (renounced). The regulative principles are not only for the  brahmacārīs  (celibate students) to follow, but are applicable for all. It doesn't matter whether one is a beginner—a  brahmacārī —or if one is very advanced—a  sannyāsī . The principle of remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly and not for-