46 THE PATH OF PERFECTION Moderation in Yoga 47

so-called meditators sitting like this and snoring. As soon as one that he was able to lead his country and drive the British from
closes his eyes, it is natural to feel sleepy; therefore it is recom- , India.
mended that the eyes are half closed. Thus it is said that one Thus, refraining from sex enables one to be very determined
should look at the tip of his nose. With one’s sight thus concen- and powerful. It is not necessary to do anything else. This is a
trated, the mind should be subdued and unagitated. In India, the secret people are not aware of. If you want to do something with
yogi often goes to a jungle to practice such meditation in solitude. determination, you have to refrain from sex. Regardless of the
But in ajungle, the yogi may think, ‘‘Maybe some tiger or snake is process—be it hatha-yoga, bhakti-yoga, jfiana-yoga, or whatever —
coming. What is that noise?” In this way, his mind may be agi- sex indulgence is not allowed. Sex is allowed only for house-
tated; therefore it is especially stated that the yogi must be holders who want to beget good children and raise them in Krsna
“devoid of fear.” A deerskin is especially recommended as a consciousness. Sex is not meant for sense enjoyment, although
yoga-dsana, because it contains a chemical property that repels enjoyment is there by nature. Unless there is some enjoyment,
snakes; thus the yogi will not be disturbed by serpents. Whatever why should one assume the responsibility of begetting children?
the case—serpents, tigers, or lions—one can be truly fearless only That is the secret of nature’s gift, but we should not take advan-
when he is established in Krsna consciousness. Due to perverted tage of it. These are the secrets of life. By taking advantage and in-
memory, the conditioned soul is naturally fearful. Fear is due to dulging in sex life, we are simply wasting our time. If one tells you
forgetting one’s eternal relationship with Krsna. According to that you can indulge in sex as much as you like and at the same
Srimad-Bhagavatam (11.2.37): bhayar dvitiyabhinivesatah sydd time become a yogi, he is cheating you. If some so-called guru tells
isad apetasya viparyayo ‘smrtih. Krsna consciousness provides the you to give him money in exchange for some mantra and that you
only true basis for fearlessness; therefore perfect practice of yoga can go on and engage in all kinds of nonsense, he is just cheating
is not possible for one who is not Krsna conscious. you. Because we want something sublime and yet want it cheaply,
The yogi must also be ‘completely free from sex life.” If one we put ourselves in a position to be cheated. This means that we
indulges in sex, he cannot concentrate; therefore brahmacarya, actually want to be cheated. If we want something valuable, we
complete celibacy, is recommended to make the mind steady. By must pay for it. We cannot expect to walk into a jewelry store and
practicing celibacy, one cultivates determination. One modern ex- demand the most valuable jewel for a mere ten cents. No, we must
ample of such determination is that of Mahatma Gandhi, who was pay a great deal. Similarly, if we want perfection in yoga, we have
determined to resist the powerful British empire by means of non- to pay by abstaining from sex. Perfection in yoga is not something
violence. At this time, India was dependent on the British, and the childish, and Bhagavaa-gitd instructs us that if we try to make yoga
people had no weapons. The Britishers, being more powerful, into something childish, we will be cheated. There are many
easily cut down whatever violent revolutions the people at- cheaters awaiting us, waiting to take our money, giving us nothing,
tempted. Therefore Gandhi resorted to nonviolence, noncoopera- and then leaving. But according to Sri Krsna’s authoritative state-
tion. “I shall not fight with the Britishers,’? he declared, ‘‘and ment in Bhagavad-gitd, one must be ‘‘completely free from sex
even if they react with violence, I shall remain nonviolent. In this life.”* Being free from sex, one should ‘‘meditate upon Me within
way the world will sympathize with us.”’ Such a policy required a the heart and make Me the ultimate goal of life.’’ This is real
great amount of determination, and Gandhi’s determination was meditation.
very strong because he was a brahmacari. Although he had Krsna does not recommend meditation on the void. He
children and a wife, he renounced sex at the age of thirty-six. It specifically states, ‘meditate upon Me.”* The visnu-muirti is situ-
was this sexual renunciation that enabled him to be so determined ated in one’s heart, and meditation upon Him is the object of yoga.
