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Yoga As —
Work In Devotion

We have heard the names of so many different
yogas and yogis, but in Bhagavad-gita Krsna says
that he is the actual yogi who has surrendered him-
self “fully unto Me.” Krsna proclaims that there is
no difference between renunciation (sannyasa) and

yoga.

yam sannyasam iti prahur
yogam tam viddhi pandava

na hy asannyasta-sankalpo
yogi bhavati kascana

“What is called renunciation is the same as yoga, or
linking oneself with the Supreme; for no one can
become a yogi unless he renounces the desire for
sense gratification.” (Bg. 6.2)

In Bhagavad-gita there are three basic types of
yoga delineated—karma-yoga, jnidana-yoga and bhakti-
yoga. The systems of yoga may be likened unto a
staircase. Someone may be on the first step, some-
one may be halfway up, or someone may be on the
top step. When one is elevated to certain levels, he
is known as a karma-yogi, jiidna-yogi, etc. In all
cases, the service to the Supreme Lord is the same.
It is a difference in elevation only. Thus Sri Krsna
tells Arjuna that he must understand that renuncia-
tion (sannydsa) and yoga are the same because with-
out being freed from desire and sense gratification
one can become neither a yogi nor a sannyasi.

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