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Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
[ Canto 4, Ch. 21 ]
is also present within the heart of the animal; but in the human form of life, because of developed consciousness ( cetanām ), one can be transferred from ignorance and passion to goodness by the results of his activities ( kriyā-phalatvena ). A human being is therefore advised to associate with spiritually advanced personalities. The  Vedas  give the direction  tad-vijñānārtham sa gurum evābhigacchet : in order to reach the perfection of life or to understand the real constitutional position of the living entity, one must approach the spiritual master. ( Muṇḍaka Up. 1.2.12 )  Gurum evābhigacchet —one must; it is not optional. It is imperative that one approach the spiritual master, for by such association one proportionately develops his consciousness towards the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The highest perfection of such consciousness is called  Kṛṣṇa  consciousness. According to the body given by  prakṛti , or nature, one's consciousness is present; according to the development of consciousness, one's activities are performed; and according to the purity of such activities, one realizes the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is present in everyone's heart. The example given herein is very appropriate. Fire is always the same, but according to the size of the fuel or burning wood, the fire appears to be straight, curved, small, big, etc.
According to the development of consciousness, God realization is present. In the human form of life it is recommended, therefore, that one undergo the different types of penances and austerities described in  Bhagavad-gītā  ( karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga, dhyāna-yoga  and  bhakti-yoga ). Like a staircase,  yoga  has different steps for reaching the topmost floor, and according to one's position upon the staircase, he is understood to be situated in  karma-yoga, jñāna-yoga, dhyāna-yoga  or  bhakti-yoga . Of course,  bhakti-yoga  is the topmost step on the staircase of realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, according to one's development in consciousness, one realizes spiritual identity, and thus when one's existential position is purified fully, he becomes situated in  brahmānanda , which is ultimately unlimited. Therefore the  saṅkīrtana  movement contributed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead as Lord Caitanya is the direct and easiest process for coming to the purest form of consciousness— Kṛṣṇa  consciousness, the platform on which the Supreme Personality is fully realized. Directions for performing different types of  yajñas  are specifically arranged for the highest realization of the Supreme Lord, as confirmed in  Bhagavad-gītā  by the Lord Himself.  Ye yathā mām pradadyante tāms tathaiva bhajāmy aham  (Bg. 4.11). The Supreme Personality of Godhead is realized according to the proportion of one's surrender. Full surrender, however, occurs when a man is perfectly in knowledge.  Bahūnām janmanām ante jñānavān mām prapadyate  (Bg. 7.19).