20 The Perfection of Yoga

“For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul
is already reached, for he has attained tranquility.”
(Bg. 6.7) This material world has been likened to a
great forest fire. As in the forest, fire may automati-
cally take place, so in this material world, although
we may try to live peacefully, there is always a great
conflagration. It is not possible to live in peace any-
where in the material world. But for one who is
transcendentally situated—either by the meditational
yoga system or by the empirical philosophical
method, or by bhakti-yoga—peace is possible. All
forms of yoga are meant for transcendental
life, but the method of chanting is especially effec-
tive in this age. Kirtana may go on for hours, and one
may not feel tired, but it is difficult to sit in lotus
position perfectly still for more than a few minutes.
Yet regardless of the process, once the fire of mate-
rial life is extinguished, one does not simply experi-
ence what is called the impersonal void. Rather, as
Krsna tells Arjuna, one enters into the supreme abode.

yunyjann evar sadatmanam
yogi niyata-manasah

Santim nirvana-paramam
mat-sarnstham adhigacchati

“By meditating in this manner, always controlling the
body, mind and activities, the mystic transcendental-
ist attains to peace, the supreme nirvana which
abides in Me.” (Bg. 6.15) Krgna’s abode is not void.
It is like an establishment, and in an establishment
there is a variety of engagements. The successful
yogi actually attains to the Kingdom of God where
