Gita Notes

THE DESTINATION OF THE UNSUCCESFUL YOGI (6.37 – 6.45)

    (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

    • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
      o After being freed of all material contaminations
      o And free from all dualities

    (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

    • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
    • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
    • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
    • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

    (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

    (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

    Text 6.45

    THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

    • By making sincere endeavor
    • After being washed of all contaminations
    Learnings from Purport (6.45)

    (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

    • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
      o After being freed of all material contaminations
      o And free from all dualities

    (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

    • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
    • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
    • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
    • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

      (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

      (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

      Text 6.45

      THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

      • By making sincere endeavor
      • After being washed of all contaminations
      Learnings from Purport (6.45)

      (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

      • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
        o After being freed of all material contaminations
        o And free from all dualities

      (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

      • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
      • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
      • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
      • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

      (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

      (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

      Text 6.43 – 6.44

      COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

      • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
      • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
      • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
      • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
      Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

      (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

      (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

      • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
      • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
          o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
          o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

      Text 6.45

      THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

      • By making sincere endeavor
      • After being washed of all contaminations
      Learnings from Purport (6.45)

      (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

      • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
        o After being freed of all material contaminations
        o And free from all dualities

      (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

      • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
      • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
      • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
      • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

        (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

        (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

        Text 6.43 – 6.44

        COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

        • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
        • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
        • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
        • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
        Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

        (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

        (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

        • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
        • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
            o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
            o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

        Text 6.45

        THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

        • By making sincere endeavor
        • After being washed of all contaminations
        Learnings from Purport (6.45)

        (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

        • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
          o After being freed of all material contaminations
          o And free from all dualities

        (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

        • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
        • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
        • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
        • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

        (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

        (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

        Text 6.42

        THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

        • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
        Learnings from Purport (6.42)

        (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

        • Acharyas and Goswamis
        • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

        (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

        Text 6.43 – 6.44

        COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

        • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
        • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
        • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
        • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
        Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

        (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

        (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

        • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
        • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
            o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
            o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

        Text 6.45

        THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

        • By making sincere endeavor
        • After being washed of all contaminations
        Learnings from Purport (6.45)

        (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

        • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
          o After being freed of all material contaminations
          o And free from all dualities

        (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

        • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
        • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
        • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
        • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

          (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

          (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

          Text 6.42

          THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

          • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
          Learnings from Purport (6.42)

          (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

          • Acharyas and Goswamis
          • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

          (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

          Text 6.43 – 6.44

          COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

          • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
          • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
          • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
          • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
          Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

          (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

          (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

          • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
          • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
              o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
              o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

          Text 6.45

          THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

          • By making sincere endeavor
          • After being washed of all contaminations
          Learnings from Purport (6.45)

          (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

          • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
            o After being freed of all material contaminations
            o And free from all dualities

          (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

          • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
          • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
          • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
          • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

          (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

          (b) Two divisions of humanity

          (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

          (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

          (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

          (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

          Text 6.41

          THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

          • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
          • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
          Learnings from Purport 6.41

          (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

          (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

          • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
          • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
          • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

          Text 6.42

          THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

          • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
          Learnings from Purport (6.42)

          (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

          • Acharyas and Goswamis
          • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

          (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

          Text 6.43 – 6.44

          COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

          • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
          • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
          • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
          • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
          Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

          (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

          (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

          • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
          • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
              o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
              o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

          Text 6.45

          THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

          • By making sincere endeavor
          • After being washed of all contaminations
          Learnings from Purport (6.45)

          (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

          • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
            o After being freed of all material contaminations
            o And free from all dualities

          (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

          • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
          • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
          • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
          • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

            (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

            (b) Two divisions of humanity

            (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

            (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

            (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

            (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

            Text 6.41

            THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

            • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
            • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
            Learnings from Purport 6.41

            (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

            (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

            • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
            • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
            • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

            Text 6.42

            THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

            • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
            Learnings from Purport (6.42)

            (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

            • Acharyas and Goswamis
            • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

            (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

            Text 6.43 – 6.44

            COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

            • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
            • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
            • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
            • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
            Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

            (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

            (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

            • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
            • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
                o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
                o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

            Text 6.45

            THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

            • By making sincere endeavor
            • After being washed of all contaminations
            Learnings from Purport (6.45)

            (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

            • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
              o After being freed of all material contaminations
              o And free from all dualities

            (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

            • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
            • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
            • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
            • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

            (a) Why only Krishna and no one else can satisfy this doubt

            (b) On what basis does Arjuna expect Krishna to know everything

            (c) Conclusion of the purport

            Text 6.40

            THEME : Lord answers – A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities meets no destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world.

            Learnings from Purport 6.40

            (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

            • Role of material duties – For material prospects there are many activities, both scriptural and customary
            • Expectation of this verse from a transcendentalist – He is supposed to give up all material activities for the sake of spiritual advancement
            • Argument offered by conditioned soul – Krishna consciousness may offer the highest perfection if completed, but if one does not attain the perfectional stage, then he loses both materially and spiritually
            • Scriptural understanding:
              o One has to suffer – Scriptures recommend that one has to suffer the reaction for not executing prescribed duties, therefore one who fails to discharge transcendental activities properly becomes subjected to these reactions
              o Still no loss – Because the Bhagavatam assures that
                  ▪ Even though one may be subjected to the reaction for not perfectly executing prescribed duties, he is still not a loser,
                  ▪ Because auspicious Krishna conscious activities is never forgotten and one so engaged will continue to be so even if he is low born in the next life
            • Material perfection without Krishna consciousness – On the other hand one who simply follows strictly the prescribed duties, need not necessarily attain auspicious results if he is lacking in Krishna consciousness

            (b) Two divisions of humanity

            • Regulated – Those who follow the prescribed duties according to scriptural injunctions
              o Their activities are all auspicious, because these activities gradually elevate them to Krishna consciousness
            • Non-regulated – Those who are engaged simply in bestial sense gratification without any knowledge of next life or any concept of spiritual salvation
              o Their activities are never auspicious because while enjoying animal propensities they perpetually remain in material existence and thus they are always miserable
              o They can be civilized or uncivilized; educated or uneducated; strong or weak

            (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

            • Followers of scriptural rules and regulations for enjoying material prosperity – Two Types:
              o Fruitive workers – They may be elevated to higher planets, but because they are not free from material existence, they are not following the truly auspicious path
              o Those who desire no fruit for sense gratification
            • Seekers of ultimate liberation from material existence
            • Devotees in Krishna consciousness

            (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

            (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

            • Eightfold yoga system – even such a yogi, being directed towards the ultimate realisation of Krishna consciousness is also following the auspicious path and need not fear degradation.

            (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

            Text 6.41

            THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

            • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
            • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
            Learnings from Purport 6.41

            (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

            (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

            • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
            • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
            • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

            Text 6.42

            THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

            • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
            Learnings from Purport (6.42)

            (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

            • Acharyas and Goswamis
            • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

            (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

            Text 6.43 – 6.44

            COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

            • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
            • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
            • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
            • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
            Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

            (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

            (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

            • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
            • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
                o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
                o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

            Text 6.45

            THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

            • By making sincere endeavor
            • After being washed of all contaminations
            Learnings from Purport (6.45)

            (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

            • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
              o After being freed of all material contaminations
              o And free from all dualities

            (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

            • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
            • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
            • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
            • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

              (a) Why only Krishna and no one else can satisfy this doubt

              (b) On what basis does Arjuna expect Krishna to know everything

              (c) Conclusion of the purport

              Text 6.40

              THEME : Lord answers – A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities meets no destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world.

              Learnings from Purport 6.40

              (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

              • Role of material duties – For material prospects there are many activities, both scriptural and customary
              • Expectation of this verse from a transcendentalist – He is supposed to give up all material activities for the sake of spiritual advancement
              • Argument offered by conditioned soul – Krishna consciousness may offer the highest perfection if completed, but if one does not attain the perfectional stage, then he loses both materially and spiritually
              • Scriptural understanding:
                o One has to suffer – Scriptures recommend that one has to suffer the reaction for not executing prescribed duties, therefore one who fails to discharge transcendental activities properly becomes subjected to these reactions
                o Still no loss – Because the Bhagavatam assures that
                    ▪ Even though one may be subjected to the reaction for not perfectly executing prescribed duties, he is still not a loser,
                    ▪ Because auspicious Krishna conscious activities is never forgotten and one so engaged will continue to be so even if he is low born in the next life
              • Material perfection without Krishna consciousness – On the other hand one who simply follows strictly the prescribed duties, need not necessarily attain auspicious results if he is lacking in Krishna consciousness

              (b) Two divisions of humanity

              • Regulated – Those who follow the prescribed duties according to scriptural injunctions
                o Their activities are all auspicious, because these activities gradually elevate them to Krishna consciousness
              • Non-regulated – Those who are engaged simply in bestial sense gratification without any knowledge of next life or any concept of spiritual salvation
                o Their activities are never auspicious because while enjoying animal propensities they perpetually remain in material existence and thus they are always miserable
                o They can be civilized or uncivilized; educated or uneducated; strong or weak

              (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

              • Followers of scriptural rules and regulations for enjoying material prosperity – Two Types:
                o Fruitive workers – They may be elevated to higher planets, but because they are not free from material existence, they are not following the truly auspicious path
                o Those who desire no fruit for sense gratification
              • Seekers of ultimate liberation from material existence
              • Devotees in Krishna consciousness

              (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

              (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

              • Eightfold yoga system – even such a yogi, being directed towards the ultimate realisation of Krishna consciousness is also following the auspicious path and need not fear degradation.

              (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

              Text 6.41

              THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

              • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
              • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
              Learnings from Purport 6.41

              (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

              (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

              • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
              • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
              • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

              Text 6.42

              THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

              • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
              Learnings from Purport (6.42)

              (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

              • Acharyas and Goswamis
              • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

              (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

              Text 6.43 – 6.44

              COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

              • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
              • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
              • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
              • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
              Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

              (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

              (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

              • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
              • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
                  o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
                  o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

              Text 6.45

              THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

              • By making sincere endeavor
              • After being washed of all contaminations
              Learnings from Purport (6.45)

              (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

              • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
                o After being freed of all material contaminations
                o And free from all dualities

              (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

              • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
              • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
              • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
              • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

              (a) Two ways of progress in life – material and spiritual

              (b) Arjuna compares failed transcendentalist to a ‘riven cloud’ – because he apparently loses both connections, material happiness or spiritual success, just like a cloud deviated from a small cloud, does not even join a big one and it is blown away by the wind

              (c) “Brahmanah pathi” – This phrase refers to the “Path of transcendental realization”

              (d) Ultimate goal of successful transcendentalists – Surrender unto Supreme Personality of Godhead

              Learnings from Purport 6.39

              (a) Why only Krishna and no one else can satisfy this doubt

              • Because He knows past, present and future.
              • Also no-one is equal to or above Krishna, certainly the so-called great sages and philosophers who are at the mercy of material nature cannot equal Him.
              • Conclusion – Verdict of Krishna is the final and complete answer to all doubts, because He knows everything but no-one knows Him.

              (b) On what basis does Arjuna expect Krishna to know everything

              • Because Krishna in Bg. 2.12 explains the eternal individuality of every living entity.
              • This shows that Krishna must be the knower of past, present and future.
              • Thus Arjuna expects Him to reveal the future of unsuccessful transcendentalists.

              (c) Conclusion of the purport

              • Krishna and Krishna conscious devotees alone can know what is what.
              Text 6.40

              THEME : Lord answers – A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities meets no destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world.

              Learnings from Purport 6.40

              (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

              • Role of material duties – For material prospects there are many activities, both scriptural and customary
              • Expectation of this verse from a transcendentalist – He is supposed to give up all material activities for the sake of spiritual advancement
              • Argument offered by conditioned soul – Krishna consciousness may offer the highest perfection if completed, but if one does not attain the perfectional stage, then he loses both materially and spiritually
              • Scriptural understanding:
                o One has to suffer – Scriptures recommend that one has to suffer the reaction for not executing prescribed duties, therefore one who fails to discharge transcendental activities properly becomes subjected to these reactions
                o Still no loss – Because the Bhagavatam assures that
                    ▪ Even though one may be subjected to the reaction for not perfectly executing prescribed duties, he is still not a loser,
                    ▪ Because auspicious Krishna conscious activities is never forgotten and one so engaged will continue to be so even if he is low born in the next life
              • Material perfection without Krishna consciousness – On the other hand one who simply follows strictly the prescribed duties, need not necessarily attain auspicious results if he is lacking in Krishna consciousness

              (b) Two divisions of humanity

              • Regulated – Those who follow the prescribed duties according to scriptural injunctions
                o Their activities are all auspicious, because these activities gradually elevate them to Krishna consciousness
              • Non-regulated – Those who are engaged simply in bestial sense gratification without any knowledge of next life or any concept of spiritual salvation
                o Their activities are never auspicious because while enjoying animal propensities they perpetually remain in material existence and thus they are always miserable
                o They can be civilized or uncivilized; educated or uneducated; strong or weak

              (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

              • Followers of scriptural rules and regulations for enjoying material prosperity – Two Types:
                o Fruitive workers – They may be elevated to higher planets, but because they are not free from material existence, they are not following the truly auspicious path
                o Those who desire no fruit for sense gratification
              • Seekers of ultimate liberation from material existence
              • Devotees in Krishna consciousness

              (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

              (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

              • Eightfold yoga system – even such a yogi, being directed towards the ultimate realisation of Krishna consciousness is also following the auspicious path and need not fear degradation.

              (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

              Text 6.41

              THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

              • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
              • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
              Learnings from Purport 6.41

              (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

              (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

              • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
              • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
              • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

              Text 6.42

              THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

              • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
              Learnings from Purport (6.42)

              (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

              • Acharyas and Goswamis
              • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

              (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

              Text 6.43 – 6.44

              COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

              • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
              • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
              • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
              • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
              Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

              (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

              (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

              • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
              • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
                  o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
                  o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

              Text 6.45

              THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

              • By making sincere endeavor
              • After being washed of all contaminations
              Learnings from Purport (6.45)

              (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

              • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
                o After being freed of all material contaminations
                o And free from all dualities

              (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

              • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
              • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
              • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
              • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

                (a) Two ways of progress in life – material and spiritual

                (b) Arjuna compares failed transcendentalist to a ‘riven cloud’ – because he apparently loses both connections, material happiness or spiritual success, just like a cloud deviated from a small cloud, does not even join a big one and it is blown away by the wind

                (c) “Brahmanah pathi” – This phrase refers to the “Path of transcendental realization”

                (d) Ultimate goal of successful transcendentalists – Surrender unto Supreme Personality of Godhead

                Learnings from Purport 6.39

                (a) Why only Krishna and no one else can satisfy this doubt

                • Because He knows past, present and future.
                • Also no-one is equal to or above Krishna, certainly the so-called great sages and philosophers who are at the mercy of material nature cannot equal Him.
                • Conclusion – Verdict of Krishna is the final and complete answer to all doubts, because He knows everything but no-one knows Him.

                (b) On what basis does Arjuna expect Krishna to know everything

                • Because Krishna in Bg. 2.12 explains the eternal individuality of every living entity.
                • This shows that Krishna must be the knower of past, present and future.
                • Thus Arjuna expects Him to reveal the future of unsuccessful transcendentalists.

                (c) Conclusion of the purport

                • Krishna and Krishna conscious devotees alone can know what is what.
                Text 6.40

                THEME : Lord answers – A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities meets no destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world.

                Learnings from Purport 6.40

                (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

                • Role of material duties – For material prospects there are many activities, both scriptural and customary
                • Expectation of this verse from a transcendentalist – He is supposed to give up all material activities for the sake of spiritual advancement
                • Argument offered by conditioned soul – Krishna consciousness may offer the highest perfection if completed, but if one does not attain the perfectional stage, then he loses both materially and spiritually
                • Scriptural understanding:
                  o One has to suffer – Scriptures recommend that one has to suffer the reaction for not executing prescribed duties, therefore one who fails to discharge transcendental activities properly becomes subjected to these reactions
                  o Still no loss – Because the Bhagavatam assures that
                      ▪ Even though one may be subjected to the reaction for not perfectly executing prescribed duties, he is still not a loser,
                      ▪ Because auspicious Krishna conscious activities is never forgotten and one so engaged will continue to be so even if he is low born in the next life
                • Material perfection without Krishna consciousness – On the other hand one who simply follows strictly the prescribed duties, need not necessarily attain auspicious results if he is lacking in Krishna consciousness

                (b) Two divisions of humanity

                • Regulated – Those who follow the prescribed duties according to scriptural injunctions
                  o Their activities are all auspicious, because these activities gradually elevate them to Krishna consciousness
                • Non-regulated – Those who are engaged simply in bestial sense gratification without any knowledge of next life or any concept of spiritual salvation
                  o Their activities are never auspicious because while enjoying animal propensities they perpetually remain in material existence and thus they are always miserable
                  o They can be civilized or uncivilized; educated or uneducated; strong or weak

                (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

                • Followers of scriptural rules and regulations for enjoying material prosperity – Two Types:
                  o Fruitive workers – They may be elevated to higher planets, but because they are not free from material existence, they are not following the truly auspicious path
                  o Those who desire no fruit for sense gratification
                • Seekers of ultimate liberation from material existence
                • Devotees in Krishna consciousness

                (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

                (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

                • Eightfold yoga system – even such a yogi, being directed towards the ultimate realisation of Krishna consciousness is also following the auspicious path and need not fear degradation.

                (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

                Text 6.41

                THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

                • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
                • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
                Learnings from Purport 6.41

                (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

                (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

                • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
                • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
                • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

                Text 6.42

                THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

                • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
                Learnings from Purport (6.42)

                (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

                • Acharyas and Goswamis
                • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

                (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

                Text 6.43 – 6.44

                COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

                • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
                • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
                • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
                • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
                Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

                (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

                (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

                • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
                • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
                    o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
                    o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

                Text 6.45

                THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

                • By making sincere endeavor
                • After being washed of all contaminations
                Learnings from Purport (6.45)

                (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

                • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
                  o After being freed of all material contaminations
                  o And free from all dualities

                (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

                • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
                • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
                • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
                • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

                (a) Basic principle of self-realisation

                (b) How to pursue self-realisation – 3 possible paths:

                (c) Similarities in these path

                (d) Bhakti-yoga is the most suitable path in this age – Because it is the most direct method of God realisation

                (e) Why does Arjuna ask this question – Although Bg. 2.40 provides full guarantee on the transcendental path, still Arjuna wants to be reassured because one may sincerely accept the process but still fail for many reasons

                (f) Importance of “Yogac calita-manasah” – Deviation from transcendental path

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.37 & 6.38: Arjuna clarifies his question in the next verse

                Learnings from Purport 6.38

                (a) Two ways of progress in life – material and spiritual

                • Materialistic path – No interest in transcendence, but more interest in material advancement by economic development or promotion to higher planets
                • Path of transcendence – On this path one has to ceases all activities and sacrifice all forms of so-called material happiness

                (b) Arjuna compares failed transcendentalist to a ‘riven cloud’ – because he apparently loses both connections, material happiness or spiritual success, just like a cloud deviated from a small cloud, does not even join a big one and it is blown away by the wind

                (c) “Brahmanah pathi” – This phrase refers to the “Path of transcendental realization”

                • It involves knowing oneself to be spiritual and…
                • To be a part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, who is manifested as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan

                (d) Ultimate goal of successful transcendentalists – Surrender unto Supreme Personality of Godhead

                • Because Lord Krishna is the fullest manifestation of the Absolute Truth
                • To reach this goal of life through Brahman and Paramatma realizations takes many many births (Ref. Bg. 7.19 “bahunam…”)
                • Conclusion – Supermost path of transcendental realisation is bhakti-yoga, the direct path
                Learnings from Purport 6.39

                (a) Why only Krishna and no one else can satisfy this doubt

                • Because He knows past, present and future.
                • Also no-one is equal to or above Krishna, certainly the so-called great sages and philosophers who are at the mercy of material nature cannot equal Him.
                • Conclusion – Verdict of Krishna is the final and complete answer to all doubts, because He knows everything but no-one knows Him.

                (b) On what basis does Arjuna expect Krishna to know everything

                • Because Krishna in Bg. 2.12 explains the eternal individuality of every living entity.
                • This shows that Krishna must be the knower of past, present and future.
                • Thus Arjuna expects Him to reveal the future of unsuccessful transcendentalists.

                (c) Conclusion of the purport

                • Krishna and Krishna conscious devotees alone can know what is what.
                Text 6.40

                THEME : Lord answers – A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities meets no destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world.

                Learnings from Purport 6.40

                (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

                • Role of material duties – For material prospects there are many activities, both scriptural and customary
                • Expectation of this verse from a transcendentalist – He is supposed to give up all material activities for the sake of spiritual advancement
                • Argument offered by conditioned soul – Krishna consciousness may offer the highest perfection if completed, but if one does not attain the perfectional stage, then he loses both materially and spiritually
                • Scriptural understanding:
                  o One has to suffer – Scriptures recommend that one has to suffer the reaction for not executing prescribed duties, therefore one who fails to discharge transcendental activities properly becomes subjected to these reactions
                  o Still no loss – Because the Bhagavatam assures that
                      ▪ Even though one may be subjected to the reaction for not perfectly executing prescribed duties, he is still not a loser,
                      ▪ Because auspicious Krishna conscious activities is never forgotten and one so engaged will continue to be so even if he is low born in the next life
                • Material perfection without Krishna consciousness – On the other hand one who simply follows strictly the prescribed duties, need not necessarily attain auspicious results if he is lacking in Krishna consciousness

                (b) Two divisions of humanity

                • Regulated – Those who follow the prescribed duties according to scriptural injunctions
                  o Their activities are all auspicious, because these activities gradually elevate them to Krishna consciousness
                • Non-regulated – Those who are engaged simply in bestial sense gratification without any knowledge of next life or any concept of spiritual salvation
                  o Their activities are never auspicious because while enjoying animal propensities they perpetually remain in material existence and thus they are always miserable
                  o They can be civilized or uncivilized; educated or uneducated; strong or weak

                (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

                • Followers of scriptural rules and regulations for enjoying material prosperity – Two Types:
                  o Fruitive workers – They may be elevated to higher planets, but because they are not free from material existence, they are not following the truly auspicious path
                  o Those who desire no fruit for sense gratification
                • Seekers of ultimate liberation from material existence
                • Devotees in Krishna consciousness

                (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

                (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

                • Eightfold yoga system – even such a yogi, being directed towards the ultimate realisation of Krishna consciousness is also following the auspicious path and need not fear degradation.

                (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

                Text 6.41

                THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

                • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
                • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
                Learnings from Purport 6.41

                (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

                (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

                • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
                • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
                • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

                Text 6.42

                THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

                • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
                Learnings from Purport (6.42)

                (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

                • Acharyas and Goswamis
                • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

                (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

                Text 6.43 – 6.44

                COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

                • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
                • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
                • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
                • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
                Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

                (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

                (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

                • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
                • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
                    o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
                    o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

                Text 6.45

                THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

                • By making sincere endeavor
                • After being washed of all contaminations
                Learnings from Purport (6.45)

                (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

                • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
                  o After being freed of all material contaminations
                  o And free from all dualities

                (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

                • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
                • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
                • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
                • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

                  (a) Basic principle of self-realisation

                  (b) How to pursue self-realisation – 3 possible paths:

                  (c) Similarities in these path

                  (d) Bhakti-yoga is the most suitable path in this age – Because it is the most direct method of God realisation

                  (e) Why does Arjuna ask this question – Although Bg. 2.40 provides full guarantee on the transcendental path, still Arjuna wants to be reassured because one may sincerely accept the process but still fail for many reasons

                  (f) Importance of “Yogac calita-manasah” – Deviation from transcendental path

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.37 & 6.38: Arjuna clarifies his question in the next verse

                  Learnings from Purport 6.38

                  (a) Two ways of progress in life – material and spiritual

                  • Materialistic path – No interest in transcendence, but more interest in material advancement by economic development or promotion to higher planets
                  • Path of transcendence – On this path one has to ceases all activities and sacrifice all forms of so-called material happiness

                  (b) Arjuna compares failed transcendentalist to a ‘riven cloud’ – because he apparently loses both connections, material happiness or spiritual success, just like a cloud deviated from a small cloud, does not even join a big one and it is blown away by the wind

                  (c) “Brahmanah pathi” – This phrase refers to the “Path of transcendental realization”

                  • It involves knowing oneself to be spiritual and…
                  • To be a part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, who is manifested as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan

                  (d) Ultimate goal of successful transcendentalists – Surrender unto Supreme Personality of Godhead

                  • Because Lord Krishna is the fullest manifestation of the Absolute Truth
                  • To reach this goal of life through Brahman and Paramatma realizations takes many many births (Ref. Bg. 7.19 “bahunam…”)
                  • Conclusion – Supermost path of transcendental realisation is bhakti-yoga, the direct path
                  Learnings from Purport 6.39

                  (a) Why only Krishna and no one else can satisfy this doubt

                  • Because He knows past, present and future.
                  • Also no-one is equal to or above Krishna, certainly the so-called great sages and philosophers who are at the mercy of material nature cannot equal Him.
                  • Conclusion – Verdict of Krishna is the final and complete answer to all doubts, because He knows everything but no-one knows Him.

                  (b) On what basis does Arjuna expect Krishna to know everything

                  • Because Krishna in Bg. 2.12 explains the eternal individuality of every living entity.
                  • This shows that Krishna must be the knower of past, present and future.
                  • Thus Arjuna expects Him to reveal the future of unsuccessful transcendentalists.

                  (c) Conclusion of the purport

                  • Krishna and Krishna conscious devotees alone can know what is what.
                  Text 6.40

                  THEME : Lord answers – A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities meets no destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world.

                  Learnings from Purport 6.40

                  (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

                  • Role of material duties – For material prospects there are many activities, both scriptural and customary
                  • Expectation of this verse from a transcendentalist – He is supposed to give up all material activities for the sake of spiritual advancement
                  • Argument offered by conditioned soul – Krishna consciousness may offer the highest perfection if completed, but if one does not attain the perfectional stage, then he loses both materially and spiritually
                  • Scriptural understanding:
                    o One has to suffer – Scriptures recommend that one has to suffer the reaction for not executing prescribed duties, therefore one who fails to discharge transcendental activities properly becomes subjected to these reactions
                    o Still no loss – Because the Bhagavatam assures that
                        ▪ Even though one may be subjected to the reaction for not perfectly executing prescribed duties, he is still not a loser,
                        ▪ Because auspicious Krishna conscious activities is never forgotten and one so engaged will continue to be so even if he is low born in the next life
                  • Material perfection without Krishna consciousness – On the other hand one who simply follows strictly the prescribed duties, need not necessarily attain auspicious results if he is lacking in Krishna consciousness

                  (b) Two divisions of humanity

                  • Regulated – Those who follow the prescribed duties according to scriptural injunctions
                    o Their activities are all auspicious, because these activities gradually elevate them to Krishna consciousness
                  • Non-regulated – Those who are engaged simply in bestial sense gratification without any knowledge of next life or any concept of spiritual salvation
                    o Their activities are never auspicious because while enjoying animal propensities they perpetually remain in material existence and thus they are always miserable
                    o They can be civilized or uncivilized; educated or uneducated; strong or weak

                  (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

                  • Followers of scriptural rules and regulations for enjoying material prosperity – Two Types:
                    o Fruitive workers – They may be elevated to higher planets, but because they are not free from material existence, they are not following the truly auspicious path
                    o Those who desire no fruit for sense gratification
                  • Seekers of ultimate liberation from material existence
                  • Devotees in Krishna consciousness

                  (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

                  (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

                  • Eightfold yoga system – even such a yogi, being directed towards the ultimate realisation of Krishna consciousness is also following the auspicious path and need not fear degradation.

                  (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

                  Text 6.41

                  THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

                  • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
                  • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
                  Learnings from Purport 6.41

                  (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

                  (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

                  • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
                  • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
                  • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

                  Text 6.42

                  THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

                  • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
                  Learnings from Purport (6.42)

                  (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

                  • Acharyas and Goswamis
                  • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

                  (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

                  Text 6.43 – 6.44

                  COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

                  • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
                  • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
                  • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
                  • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
                  Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

                  (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

                  (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

                  • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
                  • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
                      o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
                      o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

                  Text 6.45

                  THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

                  • By making sincere endeavor
                  • After being washed of all contaminations
                  Learnings from Purport (6.45)

                  (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

                  • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
                    o After being freed of all material contaminations
                    o And free from all dualities

                  (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

                  • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
                  • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
                  • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
                  • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness

                  THE DESTINATION OF THE UNSUCCESFUL YOGI (6.37 – 6.45)

                  PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF SECTION

                  • There is no loss for one who takes to the path of transcendence
                  • This section expands on the idea first presented in Text 2.40, where Krishna explained that there is no loss or diminution on the path of spiritual life
                  Text 6.37 – 6.39

                  COMMON THEME : Arjuna inquires about the fate of one fallen from the path of self realization. Is he a failure, both materially and spiritually?

                  • One may begin the process with faith, but later desist due to worldly mindedness (6.37)
                  • Analogy: Does such a man perish like a riven cloud with no position in any sphere? (6.38)
                  • Arjuna expresses that only Krishna can dispel this doubt completely (6.39)
                  Learnings from Purport 6.37

                  (a) Basic principle of self-realisation

                  • Knowledge that the living entity is not this material body
                  • He is different from the body and his happiness is in eternal life, bliss and knowledge
                  • This eternal like is transcendental, beyond both body and mind

                  (b) How to pursue self-realisation – 3 possible paths:

                  • Path of knowledge (Jnana-yoga)
                  • Practice of eight-fold yoga system (Astanga-yoga)
                  • Devotional service (Bhakti-yoga)

                  (c) Similarities in these path

                  • In each of these processes one has to realize:
                    o The constitutional position of the living entity
                    o His relationship with God
                    o And the activities whereby he can re-establish the lost link and achieve the highest perfectional stage of Krishna consciousness
                  • All 3 processes assure success sooner or later (This reassures the point made in Bg. 2.40: “Even a little endeavor on the transcendental path offers great hope for deliverance”

                  (d) Bhakti-yoga is the most suitable path in this age – Because it is the most direct method of God realisation

                  (e) Why does Arjuna ask this question – Although Bg. 2.40 provides full guarantee on the transcendental path, still Arjuna wants to be reassured because one may sincerely accept the process but still fail for many reasons

                  • Especially the jnana-marg and the astanga-yoga are very difficult for this age
                  • First of all one may not be sufficiently serious about following the process
                  • Even after constant endeavor one may deviate because to pursue the transcendental path is more or less to declare war on the illusory energy

                  (f) Importance of “Yogac calita-manasah” – Deviation from transcendental path

                  • A conditioned soul is always allured by the modes of material energy
                  • And there is every chance of being allured again even while performing transcendental disciplines

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.37 & 6.38: Arjuna clarifies his question in the next verse

                  Learnings from Purport 6.38

                  (a) Two ways of progress in life – material and spiritual

                  • Materialistic path – No interest in transcendence, but more interest in material advancement by economic development or promotion to higher planets
                  • Path of transcendence – On this path one has to ceases all activities and sacrifice all forms of so-called material happiness

                  (b) Arjuna compares failed transcendentalist to a ‘riven cloud’ – because he apparently loses both connections, material happiness or spiritual success, just like a cloud deviated from a small cloud, does not even join a big one and it is blown away by the wind

                  (c) “Brahmanah pathi” – This phrase refers to the “Path of transcendental realization”

                  • It involves knowing oneself to be spiritual and…
                  • To be a part and parcel of the Supreme Lord, who is manifested as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan

                  (d) Ultimate goal of successful transcendentalists – Surrender unto Supreme Personality of Godhead

                  • Because Lord Krishna is the fullest manifestation of the Absolute Truth
                  • To reach this goal of life through Brahman and Paramatma realizations takes many many births (Ref. Bg. 7.19 “bahunam…”)
                  • Conclusion – Supermost path of transcendental realisation is bhakti-yoga, the direct path
                  Learnings from Purport 6.39

                  (a) Why only Krishna and no one else can satisfy this doubt

                  • Because He knows past, present and future.
                  • Also no-one is equal to or above Krishna, certainly the so-called great sages and philosophers who are at the mercy of material nature cannot equal Him.
                  • Conclusion – Verdict of Krishna is the final and complete answer to all doubts, because He knows everything but no-one knows Him.

                  (b) On what basis does Arjuna expect Krishna to know everything

                  • Because Krishna in Bg. 2.12 explains the eternal individuality of every living entity.
                  • This shows that Krishna must be the knower of past, present and future.
                  • Thus Arjuna expects Him to reveal the future of unsuccessful transcendentalists.

                  (c) Conclusion of the purport

                  • Krishna and Krishna conscious devotees alone can know what is what.
                  Text 6.40

                  THEME : Lord answers – A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities meets no destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world.

                  Learnings from Purport 6.40

                  (a) Supporting verse to emphasize the all-auspicious nature of transcendental path – Ref. SB 1.5.17 “tyaktva sva-dharmam…”. It can be explained as follows:

                  • Role of material duties – For material prospects there are many activities, both scriptural and customary
                  • Expectation of this verse from a transcendentalist – He is supposed to give up all material activities for the sake of spiritual advancement
                  • Argument offered by conditioned soul – Krishna consciousness may offer the highest perfection if completed, but if one does not attain the perfectional stage, then he loses both materially and spiritually
                  • Scriptural understanding:
                    o One has to suffer – Scriptures recommend that one has to suffer the reaction for not executing prescribed duties, therefore one who fails to discharge transcendental activities properly becomes subjected to these reactions
                    o Still no loss – Because the Bhagavatam assures that
                        ▪ Even though one may be subjected to the reaction for not perfectly executing prescribed duties, he is still not a loser,
                        ▪ Because auspicious Krishna conscious activities is never forgotten and one so engaged will continue to be so even if he is low born in the next life
                  • Material perfection without Krishna consciousness – On the other hand one who simply follows strictly the prescribed duties, need not necessarily attain auspicious results if he is lacking in Krishna consciousness

                  (b) Two divisions of humanity

                  • Regulated – Those who follow the prescribed duties according to scriptural injunctions
                    o Their activities are all auspicious, because these activities gradually elevate them to Krishna consciousness
                  • Non-regulated – Those who are engaged simply in bestial sense gratification without any knowledge of next life or any concept of spiritual salvation
                    o Their activities are never auspicious because while enjoying animal propensities they perpetually remain in material existence and thus they are always miserable
                    o They can be civilized or uncivilized; educated or uneducated; strong or weak

                  (c) Followers of path of auspiciousness can be further divided into three sections:

                  • Followers of scriptural rules and regulations for enjoying material prosperity – Two Types:
                    o Fruitive workers – They may be elevated to higher planets, but because they are not free from material existence, they are not following the truly auspicious path
                    o Those who desire no fruit for sense gratification
                  • Seekers of ultimate liberation from material existence
                  • Devotees in Krishna consciousness

                  (d) The only auspicious activities in real sense are those which lead one to liberation – any activity not aimed at ultimate self-realisation or liberation from material bodily concept is inauspicious.

                  (e) Only auspicious activity – Factually only activities in Krishna consciousness are auspicious

                  • Eightfold yoga system – even such a yogi, being directed towards the ultimate realisation of Krishna consciousness is also following the auspicious path and need not fear degradation.

                  (f) “The perfect transcendentalist under severe austerity” – Anyone who voluntarily accepts all bodily discomforts for the sake of making progress on the path of Krishna consciousness.

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.40 & 6.41 : After allaying Arjuna’s fears that a fallen yogi loses everything, Krishna next describes the ‘destiny of such a transcendentalist’ in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

                  Text 6.41

                  THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice:

                  • Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
                  • Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness
                  Learnings from Purport 6.41

                  (a) The real purpose of yoga-practice – To achieve the highest perfection of Krishna consciousness (Ref. Bg. 6.47)

                  (b) What about those who fail to reach that goal because of material allurements

                  • By grace of the Lord they are allowed to make full utilization of their material propensities in the heavenly planets
                  • Then they are given prosperous lives in righteous or aristocratic families
                  • One must take advantage of these facilities and try to elevate to Krishna consciousness

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.41 & 6.42: The destination of the more advanced yogis is explained as follows.

                  Text 6.42

                  THEME : Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice:

                  • Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
                  Learnings from Purport (6.42)

                  (a) Examples of family of transcendentalists

                  • Acharyas and Goswamis
                  • Srila A.C Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada and Srila Bhaktsiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja taking birth in Vaishnava families

                  (b) Nowdays the Acharyas and Goswamis families have degenerated – due to ‘insufficient education’ and ‘training’

                  Text 6.43 – 6.44

                  COMMON THEME : After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off

                  • One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
                  • Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
                  • They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
                  • Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
                  Learnings from Purport (6.43 – 6.44)

                  (a) Example of revival of divine consciousness of previous life – Bharat Maharaja as deer and later on as Jada Bharata (6.43)

                  (b) “Shabda-brahma” refers to “ritualistic principles of Vedas” (6.44)

                  • Advanced yogis surpass ritualistic principles of Vedas
                  • They are attracted to spiritual, and not material principles in his life – e.g.,
                      o Devahuti in her prayers (Ref. SB 3.33.7: “aho bata…”) – Low birth does not matter, one who chants the holy name is far far advanced
                      o Srila Haridas Thakur – low birth but renounced as the Namacharya by Lord Caitanya; it shows in his previous life he must have surpassed all the ritualistic methods of Vedas (Shabda-brahma).

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.44 & 6.45: Finally, the next verse explains how and when the yogi will achieve his ultimate goal.

                  Text 6.45

                  THEME : Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice

                  • By making sincere endeavor
                  • After being washed of all contaminations
                  Learnings from Purport (6.45)

                  (a) Krishna consciousness is the perfect stage of freedom from all contaminations

                  • Supporting verse – Ref. Bg. 7.28 “yesam tu…” – One can fully engage in transcendental loving service only:
                    o After being freed of all material contaminations
                    o And free from all dualities

                  (b) In conclusion – Progress of yogi as explained in Texts 6.41 – 6.45

                  • Favorable condition – A person born in a particularly righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice
                  • Sincere endeavor – With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and
                  • Completely pure – Thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations
                  • Supreme goal – When he is finally free from all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection—Krishna consciousness