1172 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 3, Ch. 27
TRANSLATION

When a perfect yogi's attention is no longer attracted to the by-products
of mystic powers, which are manifestations of the external energy, his
progress towards Me becomes unlimited, and thus the power of death
cannot overcome him.

PURPORT

Yogis are generally attracted to the by-products of mystic yogic power,
for they can become smaller than the smallest or greater than the greatest,
achieve anything they desire, have power even to create a planet or bring
anyone they like under their subjection. Yogis who have incomplete infor-
mation of the result of devotional service are attracted by these powers,
but these powers are material; they have nothing to do with spiritual
progress. As other material powers are created by the material energy, so
mystic yogic powers are also material. A perfect yogi’s mind is not attracted
by any material power, but is simply attracted by unalloyed service to the
Supreme Lord. For a devotee, the process of merging into the Brahman
effulgence is considered to be hellish, and yogic power or the preliminary
perfection of yogic power, to be able to control the senses, is automatically
achieved. As for elevation to higher planets, a devotee considers this to be
simply hallucinatory. A devotee’s attention is concentrated only upon
the eternal loving service of the Lord, and therefore the power of death
has no influence over him. In such a devotional state, a perfect yogi can
attain the status of immortal knowledge and bliss.

Thus end the Bhaktivedanta purports of the Third Canto, Twenty-
seventh Chapter, of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, entitled ‘Understanding
Material Nature.”
