Text 11] Kapila’s Instructions on Devotional Service 1185
samsargan—material association; dhyanena—by meditating; anisvaran
gunan—the modes of material nature.
TRANSLATION

By practicing the process of pranayama one can eradicate the
contamination of his physiological condition, and by concentrating the
mind one can become free from all sinful activities. By restraining the
senses one can free himself from material association, and by meditating
on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one can become free from the
three modes of material attachment.

PURPORT

According to Ayur-vedic medical science the three items kapha, pitta
and vayu (phlegm, bile and air) maintain the physiological condition of the
body. Modern medical science does not accept this physiological analysis
as valid, but the ancient Ayur-vedic process of treatment is based upon
these items. Ayur-vedic treatment concerns itself with the cause of these
three elements, which are mentioned in many places in the Bhagavatam
as the basic conditions of the body. Here it is recommended that by
practicing the breathing process of prandydma one can be released from
contamination created by the principal physiological elements, by concen-
trating the mind one can become free from sinful activities, and by
withdrawing the senses one can free himself from material association.

Ultimately, one has to meditate on the Supreme Personality of Godhead
in order to be elevated to the transcendental position where he is no longer
affected by the three modes of material nature. It is also confirmed in
Bhagavad-gita that one who engages himself in unalloyed devotional
service at once becomes transcendental to the three modes of material
nature and immediately realizes his identification with Brahman. Sa gunan
samatityaitan brahma-bhiydya kalpate. For every item in the yoga system
there is a parallel activity in bhakti-yoga, but the practice of bhakti-yoga
is easier for this age. What was introduced by Lord Caitanya is not a new
interpretation. Bhakti-yoga is a feasible process that begins with chanting
and hearing. Bhakti-yoga and other yogas have as their ultimate goal the
same Personality of Godhead, but one is practical, and the other is
difficult. One has to purify his physiological condition by concentration
and by restraint of the senses; then he can fix his mind upon the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. That is called samadhi.
