He is a perfect yogi who, by comparison to his own self, sees the true equality of all beings, both in their happiness and distress, O Arjuna!"
Arujna said: "O Madhdusudana, the system of yoga which you have summarized appears impractical and unendurable to me, for the mind is restless and unsteady.
For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it is, it seems to me, more difficult than controlling the wind."
The Lord said, "O mighty-armed son of Kunti, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by constant practice and by detachment."
For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by right means is assured of success. That is my opinion."
Arjuna said: "What is the destination of the man of faith who does not persevere, who in the beginning takes to the process of self realization but who later desists due to worldly-mindedness and thus does not attain perfection in mysticism?
O mighty-armed Krishna, does not such a man, being deviated from the path of Transcendence, perish like a drifting cloud, with no position in any sphere?
This is my doubt, O Krishna, and I ask you to dispel it completely. But for yourself, no one is to be found who can destroy this doubt."
The Blessed Lord said: "Son of Partha, a transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities does not meet with destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world; one who does good, my friend is never overcome by evil.
The unsuccessful yogi, after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy.
Or he takes his birth in a family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom. Verily, such a birth is rare in this world.
On taking such a birth, he again revives the divine consciousness of his previous life, and he tries to make further progress in order to achieve complete success, O son of Kuru.
By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically, becomes attracted to the yogic principles-even without seeking them. Such an inquisitive transcendentalist, striving for yoga, stands always above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures.
But when the yogi engages himself with sincere endeavour in making further progress, being washed of all contaminations, then ultimately, after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal.
A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiricist and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, O Arjuna, in all circumstances, be a yogi.
And of all yogis, he who always abides in me with great faith worshipping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. | |