The First Stages of Devotion 23

we are completely under the control of the laws of nature. Only
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is controller over the
laws of nature. Therefore, if we take shelter of Krsna seriously, there
will be no fear of being thrown back into the cycle of so many spe-
cies of life. A sincere devotee will surely be transferred to the abode
of Krsna, as affirmed in the Bhagavad-giéa.

In the Padma Purana also the same process is advised. There it is
said that one should always remember Lord Visnu. This is called
dhyana, or meditation—always remembering Krsna. It is said that one
has to meditate with his mind fixed upon Visnu. Padma Purana
recommends that one always fix his mind on the form of Visnu by
meditation and not forget Him at any mement. And this state of
consciousness is called samadhi, or trance.

We should always try to mold the activities of our lives in such a
way that we will constantly remember Visnu, or Krsna. That is Krsna
consciousness. Whether one concentrates his mind on the four-
handed form of Visnu or on the form of two-handed Krsna, it is the
same. The Padma Purdna recommends: somehow or other, always
think of Visnu 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 al-
ways remember Krsna, 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 varnas and asramas, the
castes and occupations of life. There are four varnas, namely, the
brahmanas (priests and intellectuals), the ksatriyas (warriors and
statesmen), the vaigyas (businessmen and farmers) and the sidras
(laborers and servants). There are also four standard asramas, namely
brahmacarya (student life), grhastha (householder), vanaprastha (re-
tired) and sannydsa (renounced). The regulative principles are not
only for the brahmacaris (celibate students) to follow, but are appli-
cable for all. It doesn’t matter whether one is a beginner—a brahma-
cari—or if one is very advanced—a sannyasi. The principle of remem-
bering the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly and not for-
