The Goal of Yoga 17

the yoga system. This is not standard. You can call it yoga,
hut it is not the standard yoga system.

The yoga system is especially difficult for this age. In the
Srimad-Bhagavatam we understand that yoga means to con-
centrate one’s attention on the Superself, Visnu. He is situated
in your heart. And, in order to concentrate your attention,
you have to control the senses. The senses are working just
like infuriated horses. If you cannot control the horses of your
carriage, it will be dangerous. Just imagine that you are seated
in a carriage and your horses are so furious that they are
dragging sou to hell. Then what is your position? The yoga
system means to control these senses. The senses are also com-
pared to serpents: The serpent does not know who is its friend
and who is its enemy. It bites anyone. And, as soon as the
serpent bites, the result is death. Similarly, if the uncontrolled

senses work in their own way, then you should know that you
are in a dangerous position.

It has been said that when one becomes too sensual, he
loses his temper, he loses his identity, he forgets himself. In-
furiated by the senses, a man will attack even his children, even
his daughter. Therefore, for those who are advancing in spiritual
life—not only for them but for everyone—the Sastras, scriptures,
say that you should not sit in a secluded place even with your
mother, even with your daughter or your sister. Why? Because
Ihe senses are so strong that if they become infuriated, you
will forget whether she’s mother, sister, or daughter.

You may say that this may be true only for some foolish
persons, but sastra says no—you should not sit in a secluded
place even with your mother, sister or daughter, because the
senses are so strong that even though you may be very moral,
you may still be attracted by sex.

Our position in this world, our suffering in this world, is due
lo the body. This body is the cause of all miseries, and the
ultimate goal of life should be to get out of this material body
