66 THE PATH OF PERFECTION . Determination and Steadiness in Yoga 67
Yamunacarya in his Stotra-ratna (43), kadaham aikantika-nitya- friend, we can understand that He is always protecting us, and in
kinkarah praharsayisyami sanatha-jivitam: ‘‘Q Lord, when shall I . this way we can be happy.
engage as Your permanent, eternal servant and always feel joyful
to have such a perfect master?” If we know that there is someone sa niScayena yoktavyo
very powerful who is our patron and savior, aren’t we happy? But , yogo ’nirvinna-cetasa
if we try to act on our own and at our own risk, how can we be sankalpa-prabhavan kamams
happy? Happiness means being in Krsna consciousness and being tyaktva sarvan asesatah
convinced that ‘Krsna will give me protection,”’ and being true to manasaivendriya-gramam
Krsna. It is not possible to be happy otherwise. viniyamya samantatah
Of course, Krsna is giving all living entities protection, even in i
their rebellious condition (eko bahiinam yo vidadhati kaman). “One should engage oneself in the practice of yoga with undeviat-
Without Krsna’s protection, we cannot live for a second. When we ing determination and faith. One should abandon, without excep-
admit.and recognize Krsna’s kindness, we become happy. Krsna is tion, all material desires born of false ego and thus control all the
protecting us at every moment, but we do not realize this, because senses on all sides by the mind.” (Bg. 6.24)
we have taken life at our own risk. Krsna gives us a certain amount As stated before, this determination can be attained only by
of freedom, saying, “All right, do whatever you like. As far as one who does not indulge in sex. Celibacy makes one’s deter-
possible, I will give you protection.”” However, when the living mination strong; therefore, from the very beginning Krsna states
entity is fully surrendered to Krsna, Krsna takes total charge and that the yogidoes not engage in sex. If one indulges in sex, one’s
gives special protection. Ifa child grows up and doesn’t care for his determination will be flickering. Therefore sex life should be con-
father and acts freely, what can his father do? He can only say, trolled according to the rules and regulations governing the
‘*Do whatever you like.”” But when a son puts himself fully under grhastha-asrama, or sex should be given up altogether. Actually, it
his father’s protection, he receives more care. As Krsna states in should be given up altogether, but if this is not possible, it should
the Ninth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita (9.29), be controlled. Then determination will come because, after all,
. determination is a bodily affair. Determination means continuing
samo ‘ham sarva-bhutesu to practice Krsna consciousness with patience and perseverance. If
na me dvesyo ‘sti na priyah one does not immediately attain the desired results, one should
ye bhajanti tu mam bhaktya not think, ‘‘Oh, what is this Krsna consciousness? I will give it
mayi te tesu capy aham up.”’ No, we must have determination and faith in Krsna’s words.
In this regard, there is a mundane example. When a young girl
“IT envy no one, nor am I partial to anyone. I am equal to all. But gets married, she immediately hankers for a child. She thinks,
whoever renders service unto Me in devotion is a friend, is in Me, *¢Now I am married. I must have a child immediately.’’ But how is
and I am also a friend to him.” this possible? The girl must have patience, become a faithful wife,
How can Krsna be envious of anyone? Everyone is Krsna’s serve her husband, and let her love grow. Eventually, because she
son. Similarly, how can Krsna be an enemy toward anyone? Since is married, it is certain that she will have a child. Similarly, when
all living entities are Krsna’s sons, He is everyone’s friend. Unfor- we are in Krsna consciousness, our perfection is guaranteed, but
tunately, we are not taking advantage of His friendship, and that is we must have patience and determination. We should think, “‘I
| our disease. Once we recognize Krsna as our eternal father and must execute my duties and should not be impatient.” Impatience |
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