8
The Perfection Of Yoga
It is a fact therefore that in the progress of the living entity toward the perfection of  yoga , birth in a family of  yogīs  or devotees is a great boon, for such a birth gives one a special impetus.
prayatnād yatamānas tu 
    yogī saṁśuddha-kilbiṣaḥ 
    aneka-janma-saṁsiddhas 
    tato yāti parāṁ gatim
“But when the  yogī  engages himself with sincere endeavor in making further progress, being washed of all contaminations, then ultimately, after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal.” (Bg. 6.45) When one is finally freed from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection of the  yoga  system—Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Absorption in Kṛṣṇa is the perfect stage, as Kṛṣṇa Himself confirms:
bahūnāṁ janmanām ante 
    jñānavān māṁ prapadyate 
    vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti 
    sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ
“After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.” (Bg. 7.19) Thus after many lifetimes of executing pious activities, when one be-
59