15. Krishna's Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections
16. The Lord's Wealth

15. Krishna's Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections

The Lord said: Dear Uddhava, the mystic perfections of yoga are acquired by a yogi who has conquered his senses, steadied his mind, conquered the breathing process and fixed his mind on me. (15.1)

Uddhava said: Dear Acyuta, by what process can mystic perfection be achieved, and what is the nature of such perfection? How many mystic perfections are there? Please explain these things to me. Indeed, you are the bestower of all mystic perfections. (15.2)

The Lord said: The masters of the yoga system have declared that there are eighteen types of mystic perfection and meditation, of which eight are primary, having their shelter in me, and ten are secondary, appearing from the material mode of goodness. (15.3)

Among the eight primary mystic perfections, the three by which one transforms one's own body are anima, becoming smaller than the smallest; mahima, becoming greater than the greatest; and laghima, becoming lighter than the lightest. Through the perfection of prapti one acquires whatever one desires, and through prakamya-siddhi one experiences any enjoyable object, either in this world or the next. Through isita-siddhi one can manipulate the subpotencies of maya, and through the controlling potency called vasita-siddhi one is unimpeded by the three modes of nature. One who has acquired kamavasayita-siddhi can obtain anything from anywhere, to the highest possible limit. Dear gentle Uddhava, these eight mystic perfections are considered to be naturally existing and unexcelled within this world. (15.4-5)

The ten secondary mystic perfections arising from the modes of nature are the powers of freeing oneself from hunger and thirst and other bodily disturbances, hearing and seeing things far away, moving the body at the speed of the mind, assuming any form one desires, entering the bodies of others, dying when one desires, witnessing the pastimes between the gods and the celestial girls called Apsaras, completely executing one's determination and giving orders whose fulfillment is unimpeded. (15.6-7)

The power to know past, present and future; tolerance of heat, cold and other dualities; knowing the minds of others; checking the influence of fire, sun, water, poison, and so on; and remaining unconquered by others – these constitute five perfections of the mystic process of yoga and meditation. I am simply listing these here according to their names and characteristics. Now please learn from me how specific mystic perfections arise from specific meditations and also of the particular processes involved. (15.8-9)

One who worships me in my atomic form pervading all subtle elements, fixing his mind on that alone, obtains the mystic perfection called anima. (15.10)

One who absorbs his mind in the particular form of the mahat-tattva and thus meditates on me as the Supreme Soul of the total material existence achieves the mystic perfection called mahima. By further absorbing the mind in the situation of each individual element such as the sky, air, fire, and so on, one progressively acquires the greatness of each material element. (15.11)

I exist within everything, and I am therefore the essence of the atomic constituents of material elements. By attaching his mind to me in this form, the yogi may achieve the perfection called laghima, by which he realizes the subtle atomic substance of time. (15.12)

Fixing his mind completely in me within the element of false ego generated from the mode of goodness, the yogi obtains the power of mystic acquisition, by which he becomes the proprietor of the senses of all living entities. He obtains such perfection because his mind is absorbed in me. (15.13)

One who concentrates all mental activities in me as the Supersoul of that phase of the mahat-tattva which manifests the chain of fruitive activities obtains from me, whose appearance is beyond material perception, the most excellent mystic perfection called prakamya. (15.14)

One who places his consciousness on Visnu, the Supersoul, the prime mover and Supreme Lord of the external energy consisting of three modes, obtains the mystic perfection of controlling other conditioned souls, their material bodies and their bodily designations. (15.15)

The yogi who places his mind in my form of Narayana, known as the fourth factor, full of all opulences, becomes endowed with my nature and thus obtains the mystic perfection called vasita. (15.16)

One who fixes his pure mind on me in my manifestation as the impersonal Brahman obtains the greatest happiness, wherein all his desires are completely fulfilled. (15.17)

A human being who concentrates on me as the upholder of religious principles, the personification of purity and the Lord of Svetadvipa obtains the pure existence in which he is freed from the six waves of material disturbance, namely hunger, thirst, decay, death, grief and illusion. (15.18)

That purified living entity who fixes his mind on the extraordinary sound vibrations occurring within me as the personified sky and total life air is then able to perceive within the sky the speaking of all living entities. (15.19)

Merging one's sight into the sun planet and then the sun planet into one's eyes, one should meditate on me as existing within the combination of sun and vision; thus one acquires the power to see any distant thing. (15.20)

The yogi who completely absorbs his mind in me, and who then makes use of the wind that follows the mind to absorb the material body in me, obtains through the potency of meditation on me the mystic perfection by which his body immediately follows his mind wherever it goes. (15.21)

When the yogi, applying his mind in a certain way, desires to assume a particular form, that very form immediately appears. Such perfection is possible by absorbing the mind in the shelter of my inconceivable mystic potency, by which I assume innumerable forms. (15.22)

When a perfect yogi desires to enter another's body, he should meditate on himself within the other body, and then, giving up his own gross body, he should enter the other's body through the pathways of air, as easily as a bee leaves one flower and flies into another. (15.23)

The yogi who has achieved the mystic perfection called svacchanda-mrtyu blocks the anus with the heel of the foot and then lifts the soul from the heart to the chest, to the neck and finally to the head. Situated within the brahma-randhra, the yogi then gives up his material body and guides the spirit soul to the selected destination. (15.24)

The yogi who desires to enjoy in the pleasure gardens of the gods should meditate on the purified mode of goodness, which is situated within me, and then the heavenly women, generated from the mode of goodness, will approach him in airplanes [aerial cars). (15.25)

A yogi who has faith in me, absorbing his mind in me and knowing that my purpose is always fulfilled, will always achieve his purpose by the very means he has determined to follow. (15.26)

A person who perfectly meditates on me acquires my nature of being the supreme ruler and controller. His order, like Mine, can never be frustrated by any means. (15.27)

A yogi who has purified his existence by devotion to me and who thus expertly knows the process of meditation obtains knowledge of past, present and future. He can therefore see the birth and death of himself and others. (15.28)

Just as the bodies of aquatics cannot be injured by water, similarly, the body of a yogi whose consciousness is pacified by devotion to me and who is fully developed in yoga science cannot be injured by fire, sun, water, poison, and so forth. (15.29)

My devotee becomes unconquerable by meditating on my opulent incarnations, which are decorated with Srivatsa and various weapons and are endowed with imperial paraphernalia such as flags, ornamental umbrellas and fans. (15.30)

A learned devotee who worships me through yoga meditation certainly obtains in all respects the mystic perfections that I have described. (15.31)

For a sage who has conquered his senses, breathing and mind, who is self-controlled and always absorbed in meditation on me, what mystic perfection could possibly be difficult to achieve? (15.32)

Learned experts in devotional service state that the mystic perfections of yoga that I have mentioned are actually impediments and are a waste of time for one who is practicing the supreme yoga, by which one achieves all perfection in life directly from me. (15.33)

Whatever mystic perfections can be achieved by good birth, herbs, austerities and mantras can all be achieved by devotional service to me; indeed, one cannot achieve the actual perfection of yoga by any other means. (15.34)

Dear Uddhava, I am the cause, the protector and the Lord of all mystic perfections, of the yoga system, of analytic knowledge, of pure activity and of the community of learned Vedic teachers. (15.35)

Just as the same material elements exist within and outside of all material bodies, similarly, I cannot be covered by anything else. I exist within everything as the Supersoul and outside of everything in my all-pervading feature. (15.36)

~ೞ⬯ೞ~

16. The Lord's Wealth

Uddhava said: Dear Lord, you are beginningless and endless, the Absolute Truth Himself, unlimited by anything else. You are the protector and life-giver, the destruction and creation of all things that exist. (16.1)

Dear Lord, although it is difficult for the impious to understand that you are situated in all superior and inferior creations, those Brahmins who are actual knowers of the Vedic conclusion worship you in truth. (16.2)

Please tell me of the perfections that great sages achieve by worshiping you with devotion. Also, kindly explain which of your different forms they worship. (16.3)

Lord, maintainer of all, although you are the Supersoul of the living entities, you remain hidden. Thus being bewildered by you, the living entities cannot see you, although you are seeing them. (16.4)

Supremely potent Lord, please explain to me your innumerable potencies, which you manifest on the earth, in heaven, in hell and indeed in all directions. I offer my humble obeisances at your lotus feet, which are the shelter of all holy places. (16.5)

The Lord said: Best of those who know how to inquire, on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, Arjuna, desiring to fight with his rivals, asked me the same question that you are now posing. (16.6)

On the Battlefield of Kuruksetra Arjuna thought that killing his relatives would be an abominable, irreligious activity, motivated only by his desire to acquire a kingdom. He therefore desisted from the battle, thinking, "I would be the killer of my relatives. They would be destroyed." Thus Arjuna was afflicted with mundane consciousness. (16.7)

At that time I enlightened Arjuna, the tiger among men, with logical arguments, and thus in the front of the battle Arjuna addressed me with questions in the same way that you are now inquiring. (16.8)

Dear Uddhava, I am the Supersoul of all living entities, and therefore I am naturally their well-wisher and supreme controller. Being the creator, maintainer and annihilator of all entities, I am not different from them. (16.9)

I am the ultimate goal of all those seeking progress, and I am time among those who exert control. I am the equilibrium of the modes of material nature, and I am natural virtue among the pious. (16.10)

Among things possessing qualities I am the primary manifestation of nature, and among great things I am the total material creation. Among subtle things I am the spirit soul, and of things that are difficult to conquer I am the mind. (16.11)

Among the Vedas I am their original teacher, Brahma, and of all mantras I am the three-lettered omkara. Among letters I am the first letter, "a," and among sacred meters I am the Gayatri mantra. (16.12)

Among the gods I am Indra, and among the Vasus I am Agni, the god of fire. I am Visnu among the sons of Aditi, and among the Rudras I am Shiva. (16.13)

Among saintly Brahmins I am Bhrigu Muni, and I am Manu among saintly kings. I am Narada Muni among saintly gods, and I am Kamadhenu among cows. (16.14)

I am Kapila among perfected beings and Garuda among birds. I am Daksa among the progenitors of mankind, and I am Aryama among the forefathers. (16.15)

Dear Uddhava, among the demoniac sons of Diti know me to be Prahlada Maharaja, the saintly lord of the asuras. Among the stars and herbs I am their lord, Candra (the moon), and among Yaksas and Raksasas I am the lord of wealth, Kuvera. (16.16)

I am Airavata among lordly elephants, and among aquatics I am Varuna, the lord of the seas. Among all things that heat and illuminate I am the sun, and among human beings I am the king. (16.17)

Among horses I am Uccaihsrava, and I am gold among metals. I am Yamaraja among those who suppress and punish, and among serpents I am Vasuki. (16.18)

Sinless Uddhava, among the best of snakes I am Anantadeva, and among those animals with sharp horns and teeth I am the lion. Among the social orders I am the fourth, or the renounced order of life, and among the occupational divisions I am the first, the Brahmins. (16.19)

Among sacred and flowing things I am the holy Ganges, and among steady bodies of water I am the ocean. Among weapons I am the bow, and of the wielders of weapons I am Shiva. (16.20)

Among residences I am Mount Sumeru, and of impervious places I am the Himalayas. Among trees I am the holy fig tree, and among plants I am those that bear grains. (16.21)

Among priests I am Vasistha Muni, and among those highly situated in Vedic culture I am Brihaspati. I am Kartikeya among great military leaders, and among those advancing in superior ways of life I am the great personality Brahma. (16.22)

Among sacrifices I am study of the Veda, and I am nonviolence among vows. Among all things that purify I am the wind, fire, the sun, water and speech. (16.23)

Among the eight progressive states of yoga I am the final stage, samadhi, in which the soul is completely separated from illusion. Among those desiring victory I am prudent political counsel, and among processes of expert discrimination I am the science of the soul, by which one distinguishes spirit from matter. Among all speculative philosophers I am diversity of perception. (16.24)

Among ladies I am Satarupa, and among male personalities I am her husband, Svayambhuva Manu. I am Narayana among the sages and Sanat-kumara among brahmacharis. (16.25)

Among religious principles I am renunciation, and of all types of security I am consciousness of the eternal soul within. Of secrets I am pleasant speech and silence, and among sexual pairs I am Brahma. (16.26)

Among the vigilant cycles of time I am the year, and among seasons I am spring. Among months I am Margasirsa, and among lunar houses I am the auspicious Abhijit. (16.27)

Among ages I am the Satya-yuga, the age of truth, and among steady sages I am Devala and Asita. Among those who have divided the Vedas I am Krishna Dvaipayana Vedavyasa, and among learned scholars I am Sukracarya, the knower of spiritual science. (16.28)

Among those entitled to the name Bhagavan I am Vasudeva, and indeed, you, Uddhava, represent me among the devotees. I am Hanuman among the Kimpurusas, and among the Vidyadharas I am Sudarsana. (16.29)

Among jewels I am the ruby, and among beautiful things I am the lotus cup. Among all types of grass I am the sacred kusa, and of oblations I am ghee and other ingredients obtained from the cow. (16.30)

Among the enterprising I am fortune, and among the cheaters I am gambling. I am the forgiveness of the tolerant and the good qualities of those in the mode of goodness. (16.31)

Of the powerful I bodily and mental strength, and I am the devotional activities of my devotees. My devotees worship me in nine different forms, among which I am the original and primary Vasudeva. (16.32)

Among the Gandharvas I am Visvavasu, and I am Purvacitti among the heavenly Apsaras. I am the steadiness of mountains and the fragrant aroma of the earth. (16.33)

I am the sweet taste of water, and among brilliant things I am the sun. I am the effulgence of the sun, moon and stars, and I am the transcendental sound that vibrates in the sky. (16.34)

Among those dedicated to brahminical culture I am Bali Maharaja, the son of Virocana, and I am Arjuna among heroes. Indeed, I am the creation, maintenance and annihilation of all living entities. (16.35)

I am the functions of the five working senses – the legs, speech, anus, hands and sex organs – as well as those of the five knowledge-acquiring senses – touch, sight, taste, hearing and smell. I am also the potency by which each of the senses experiences its particular sense object. (16.36)

I am form, taste, aroma, touch and sound; false ego; the mahat-tattva; earth, water, fire, air and sky; the living entity; material nature; the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance; and the transcendental Lord. All these items, along with knowledge of their individual symptoms and the steady conviction that results from this knowledge, represent me. (16.37)

As the Supreme Lord I am the basis of the living entity, of the modes of nature and of the mahat-tattva. Thus I am everything, and nothing whatsoever can exist without me. (16.38)

Even though over a period of time I might count all the atoms of the universe, I could not count all of my opulences which I manifest within innumerable universes. (16.39)

Whatever power, beauty, fame, opulence, humility, renunciation, mental pleasure, fortune, strength, tolerance or spiritual knowledge there may be is simply an expansion of my opulence. (16.40)

I have briefly described to you all my spiritual opulences and also the extraordinary material features of my creation, which are perceived by the mind and defined in different ways according to circumstances. (16.41)

Therefore, control your speaking, subdue the mind, conquer the life air, regulate the senses and through purified intelligence bring your rational faculties under control. In this way you will never again fall onto the path of material existence. (16.42)

A transcendentalist who does not completely control his words and mind by superior intelligence will find that his spiritual vows, austerities and charity flow away just as water flows out of an unbaked clay pot. (16.43)

Being surrendered to me, one should control the speech, mind and life air, and then through loving devotional intelligence one will completely fulfill the mission of life. (16.44)