68 THE PATH OF PERFECTION Determination and Steadiness in Yoga 69

is due to loss of determination, and loss of determinationisdueto follows the principles with great determination, the Lord will
excessive sex. surely help, for God helps those who help themselves.
The yogishould be determined and should patiently prosecute
Krsna consciousness without deviation. One should be sure of Sanaih Sanair uparamed
success at the end and pursue this course with great perseverance, i buddhya dhrti-grhitaya
not becoming discouraged if there is any delay in the attainment of atma-samstham manah krtva
success. Success is sure for the rigid practitioner. Regarding na kificid api cintayet

bhakti-yoga, Ripa Gosvami says,
““Gradually, step by step, with full conviction, one should become

utsahan niscayad dhairyat situated in trance by means of intelligence, and thus the mind
tat-tat-karma-pravartanat should be fixed on the Self alone and should think of nothing
sanga-tyagat sato vrtteh else.” (Bg. 6.25)
sadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati We are the self, and Krsna is also the Self. When there is
sunlight, we can see the sun and ourselves also. However, when

“The process of bhakti-yoga can be executed successfully with there is dense darkness, we sometimes cannot even see our own
full-hearted enthusiasm, perseverance, and determination by body. Although the body is there, the darkness is so dense that I
following the prescribed duties in the association of devo- cannot see myself. But when the sunshine is present, I can see
tees and by engaging completely in activities of goodness.” myself as well as the sun. Similarly, seeing the self means first of
(Upadesamrta 3) all seeing the Supreme Self, Krsna. In the Katha Upanisad it is

As for determination, one should follow the example of the stated, nityo nityandrh cetanas cetandnam: “The Supreme Self is
sparrow who lost her eggs in the waves of the ocean. A sparrow the chief eternal of all eternals, and He is the chief living being of
laid her eggs on the shore of the ocean, but the big ocean carried all living beings.’’ Krsna consciousness means fixing the mind on
away the eggs on its waves. The sparrow became very upset and Krsna, and when the mind is thus fixed, it is fixed on the complete
asked the ocean to return her eggs. The ocean did not even con- whole. If the stomach is cared for and supplied nutritious food, all
sider her appeal. So the sparrow decided to dry up the ocean. She the bodily limbs are nourished, and we are in good health.
began to pick out the water in her small beak, and everyone Similarly, if we water the root of a tree, all the branches, leaves,
laughed at her for her impossible determination. The news of her flowers, and twigs are automatically taken care of. By rendering
activity spread, and when at last Garuda, the gigantic bird carrier service to Krsna, we automatically render the best service to all
of Lord Visnu, heard it, he became compassionate toward his others.
small sister bird, and so he came to see her. Garuda was very As stated before, a Krsna conscious person does not sit down
pleased by the determination of the small sparrow, and he prom- idly. He knows that Krsna consciousness is such an important phi-
ised to help. Thus Garuda at once asked the ocean to return her losophy that it should be distributed. Therefore the members of
eggs lest he himself take up the work of the sparrow. The ocean this Krsna consciousness society are not just sitting in the temple
was frightened by this, and returned the eggs. Thus the sparrow but are going out on sankirtana parties, preaching and distributing
became happy by the grace of Garuda. this supreme philosophy. That is the mission of Sri Krsna

Similarly, the practice of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga in Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His disciples. Other yogis may be

consciousness, may appear to be a very difficult job. But if anyone satisfied with their own elevation and sit in secluded places,
