226 Srimad-Bhagavatam [Canto 7, Ch. 15
master is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore
one who is very serious about spiritual advancement must regard the
spiritual master in this way. Even a slight deviation from this under-
standing can create disaster in the disciple’s Vedic studies and austerities.
TEXT 28
qeridateren: wal edica: |
x 8
TAN Ae At AAMT: AAV: Rel
sad-varga-sarnyamaikantah
sarvd niyama-codanah
tad-anta yadi no yogan
avaheyuh sramavahah
sat-varga—the six elements, namely the five working senses and the
mind; sarnyama-ekantah—the ultimate aim of subjugating; sarvah —all
such activities; niyama-codanadh—the regulative principles further
meant for controlling the senses and mind; tat-antah—the ultimate goal
of such activities; yadi—if; no—not; yogan—the positive link with the
Supreme; dvaheyuh—did lead to; srama-dvahah—a waste of time and
labor.
TRANSLATION
Ritualistic ceremonies, regulative principles, austerities and the
practice of yoga are all meant to control the senses and mind, but
even after one is able to control the senses and mind, if he does not
come to the point of meditation upon the Supreme Lord, all such
activities are simply labor in frustration.
PURPORT
One may argue that one may achieve the ultimate goal of life—realiza-
tion of the Supersoul—by practicing the yoga system and ritualistic
performances according to the Vedic principles, even without staunch
devotion to the spiritual master. The actual fact, however, is that by
practicing yoga one must come to the platform of meditating upon the
Supreme Personality of Godhead. As stated in the scriptures,
