34 The Perfection of Yoga

What is the sign by which we can tell that one has
attained perfection in yoga? Krsna indicates that one
is situated in yoga when his consciousness is com-
pletely under his control.

yada viniyatam cittam
atmany evavatisthate

nisprhah sarva-kamebhyo
yukta ity ucyate tada

“When the yogi, by practice of yoga, disciplines his
mental activities and becomes situated in Transcen-
dence—devoid of all material desires—he is said to
have attained yoga.” (Bg.6.18) One who has attained
yoga is not dependent on the dictations of his mind;
rather, the mind comes under his control. Nor is the
mind put out or extinguished, for it is the business
of the yogi to think of Krsna or Visnu always. The
yogi cannot allow his mind to go out. This may
sound very difficult, but it is possible in Kygna con-
sciousness. When one is always engaged in Kysna
consciousness, in the service of Krsna, then how is it
possible for the mind to wander away from Krsna?
In the service of Krsna, the mind is automatically
controlled.

Nor should the yogi have any desire for material
sense gratification. If one is in Krsna consciousness,
he has no desire other than Krsna. It is not possible
to become desireless. The desire for sense gratifica-
tion must be overcome by the process of purifica-
tion, but desire for Krsna should be cultivated. It is
simply that we have to transfer the desire. There is
no question of killing desire, for desire is the constant
