Text 26] Kapila’s Instructions on Devotional Service 1203
vaksah—the chest; adhivasam—the abode; rsabhasya—of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead; mahd-vibhuteh—of Maha-Laksmi; purhsam—of
persons; manah—to the mind; nayana—to the eyes; nirurtim—transcen-
dental pleasure; Gdadhanam—bestowing; kantham—the neck; ca—also;
kaustubha-maneh—of the Kaustubha gem; adhibhiisana-artham—which
enhances the beauty; kuryat—he should meditate on; manasi—in the mind;
akhila-loka—by the entire universe; namah-krtasya—who is adored.
TRANSLATION

The yogi should then meditate on the chest of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, the abode of goddess Maha-Laksmi. The Lord’s chest is the
source of all transcendental pleasure for the mind and full satisfaction for
the eyes. The yogi should then imprint on his mind the neck of the
Personality of Godhead, who is adored by the entire universe. The
neck of the Lord serves to enhance the beauty of the Kaustubha gem,
which hangs on His chest.

PURPORT

In the Upanisads it is said that the various energies of the Lord are
working to create, destroy and maintain. These inconceivable varieties of
energy are stored in the bosom of the Lord. As people generally say, God
is all-powerful. That prowess is represented by Maha-Laksmi, the
reservoir of all energies, who is situated on the bosom of the transcenden-
tal form of the Lord. The yogi who can meditate perfectly on that spot
on the transcendental form of the Lord can derive many material powers,
which comprise the eight perfections of the yoga system.

It is stated herein that the beauty of the neck of the Lord enhances
the beauty of the Kaustubha gem rather than vice versa. The gem itself
becomes more beautiful because it is situated on the neck of the Lord. A
yogi is therefore recommended to meditate upon the Lord’s neck. The
Lord’s transcendental form can either be meditated upon in the mind or
placed in a temple in the form of a statue and decorated in such a way
that everyone can contemplate it. Temple worship, therefore, is meant
for persons who are not so advanced that they can meditate upon the
form of the Lord. There is no difference between constantly visiting the
temple and directly seeing the transcendental form of the Lord; they are
of equal value. The advantageous position of the yogi is that he can sit
anywhere in a solitary place and meditate upon the form of the Lord. A
