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THE PATH OF PERFECTION Yoga for the Modern Age 95

other way. There is no other way. There is no other way.’’ Chant-

ing i : . ‘*The Blessed Lord said: O mighty-armed son of Kunti, it is un-
ing 1s very simple, and one will feel the results immediately. Pra- ‘the

- : doubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible
tyaksavaga . . }
yaksavagamam dharmyam. If we attempt to practice other yoga by constant practice and by detachment.”’ (Bg. 6.35) Krsna does

Systems, we wi ini . : ne . . tee at
in was i remain in darkness; we will not know whether or not say that it is not difficult. Rather, He admits that it is difficult,
re making progress. In bhakti-yoga, one can understand,

“Yes now lam . aw but possible by means of constant practice. Constant practice
which one can meee Tale caty This is the only yoga system by means engaging ourselves in some activities that remind us of
q y attain self-realization and liberation in this Krsna. In this Society for Krsna consciousness we therefore have

life. One doesn’ i = Lifatt woaes ann tas
sn't have to wait for another lifetime. many activities—kirtana, temple activities, prasada, publications,

and so on. Everyone is engaged in some activity with Krsna at the
center. Therefore whether one is typing for Krsna, cooking for
Krsna, chanting for Krsna, or distributing literature for Krsna, he
is in the yoga system, and he is also in Krsna. We engage in ac-
tivities just as in material life, but these activities are molded in
such a way that they are directly connected with Krsna. Thus
through every activity, Krsna consciousness is possible, and per-
fection in yoga follows automatically.

caficalam hi manah krsna
pramathi balavad drdham

tasyaham nigraham manye
vayor iva suduskaram

‘*For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate, and very strong, O
Krsna, and to subdue itis, it seems to me, more difficult than con-
trolling the wind.’’ (Bg. 6.34) By chanting Hare Krsna, one cap-

tures the mind immediately. Just by saying the name Krsna and asamyatatmana yogo

hearing it, the mind is automatically fixed on Krsna. This means dusprapa iti me matih

that the yoga system is immediately attained. The entire yoga vasyatmana tu yatata

system aims at concentration on the form of Visnu, and Krsna is Sakyo ‘vaptum upayatah

the original personality from whom all these Visnu forms are ex- “For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult
panded. Krsna is like the original candle from which all other can- work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by right

‘dies are lit. If one candle is lit, one can light any number of
candles, and there is no doubt that each candle is as powerful as
the original candle. Nonetheless, one has to recognize the original
candle as the original. Similarly, from Krsna millions of Visnu

means is assured of success. That is My opinion.” (Bg. 6.36) The
Supreme Personality of Godhead declares that one who does not
accept the proper treatment to detach the mind from material
engagement can hardly achieve success in self-realization. Trying

forms expand, and each Visnu form is as good as Krsna, but Krsna to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is
remains the original. Thus one who concentrates his mind on like trying to ignite a fire while pouring water on it. Similarly, yoga
Lord Sri Krsna, the original Supreme Personality of Godhead, im- practice without mental control is a waste of time. I may sit down
mediately attains the perfection of yoga. to meditate and focus my mind on Krsna, and that is very

commendable, but there are many yoga societies that teach their

Sri-bhagavan uvaca students to concentrate on the void or on some color. That is, they

asamsayam mahd-baho do not recommend concentration on the form of Visnu. Trying to
mano durnigraham calam concentrate the mind on the impersonal or the void is very dif-

abhyasena tu kaunteya ficult and troublesome. It is stated by Sri Krsna in the Twelfth
vairagyena ca grhyate Chapter of Bhagavad-gita (12.5),
