. 150 THE PATH OF PERFECTION The Path of Perfection 151
are informed that the sun is situated at the center of the universe. tasmat sarvesu kalesu
Just as all the planets are moving, the sun is also moving at a yoga-yukto bhavarjuna
speed calculated to be sixteen thousand miles per second. If a per-
son dies when the sun is in the northern hemisphere, he can attain “The devotees who know these two paths, O Arjuna, are never
liberation. That is not only the verdict of Bhagavad-gita, but also bewildered. Therefore be always fixed in devotion.”’ (Bg. 8.27)
of other scriptures. Herein the Lord confirms that there is no ‘“‘chance’’ for one who
, practices bhakti-yoga. His destination is certain. Whether he dies
dhumo ratris tatha krsnah when the sun is in the northern or southern hemisphere is of no
san-masa daksindyanam importance. As we have already stated, if one thinks of Krsna at
tatra candramasam jyotir the time of death, he will at once be transferred to Krsna’s abode.
yogi prapya nivartate Therefore Krsna tells Arjuna to always remain in Krsna con-
sciousness. This is possible through the chanting of Hare Krsna.
“The mystic who passes away from this world during the smoke, Since Krsna and His spiritual kingdom are nondifferent, being ab-
the night, the moonless fortnight, or in the six months when the solute, Krsna and His sound vibration are the same. Simply by
sun passes to the south, or who reaches the moon planet, again vibrating Krsna’s name, we can enjoy Krsna’s association. If we
comes back.’ (Bg. 8.25) No one can say when he is going to die, are walking down the street chanting Hare Krsna, Krsna is also
and in that sense the moment of one’s death is accidental. going with us. If we walk down the street and look up at the sky,
However, for a devotee in Krsna consciousness, there is no ques- we may see that the sun or the moon is accompanying us. I can
tion of ‘‘accidents.” recall about fifty years ago, when I was a householder, my second
son, who was about four years old at the time, was walking with
sukla-krsne gati hy ete me down the street, and he suddenly asked me, ‘‘Father, why is
jagatah sasvate mate the moon going with us?”
; ekaya yaty anavrttim If a material object like the moon has the power to accompany
anyayavartate punah us, we can surely understand that the Supreme Lord, who is all-
powerful, can always remain with us. Being omnipotent, He can
‘‘According to the Vedas, there are two ways of passing from this always keep us company, provided that we are also qualified to
world—one in light and one in darkness. When one passes in keep His company. Pure devotees are always merged in the
light, he does not come back; but when one passes in darkness, he thought of Krsna and are always remembering that Krsna is with
returns.”” (Bg. 8.26) The same description of departure and return them. Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu has confirmed the absolute
is quoted by Acarya Baladeva Vidyabhisana from the Chandogya nature of Krsna in His Siksdstaka (verse 2):
Upanisad. In such a way, those who are fruitive laborers and
philosophical speculators from time immemorial are constantly namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis
going and coming. Actually they do not attain ultimate salvation, tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
for they do not surrender to Krsna. etddrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrsam ihd@jani ndnuragah
naite srti partha janan
yogi muhyati kascana ‘‘My Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, in Your holy
