(a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

    (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

    • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
    • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
    • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
    • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

    (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

    (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

    (b) Who can engage in such welfare

    (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
    In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

    Text 5.26

    THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

    • Being free from anger and all material desires
    • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
    Learnings from Purport 5.26

    (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

    (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

    • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
    • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
    • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
    • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

    (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

      (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

      (b) Who can engage in such welfare

      (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
      In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

      Text 5.26

      THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

      • Being free from anger and all material desires
      • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
      Learnings from Purport 5.26

      (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

      (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

      • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
      • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
      • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
      • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

      (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

      (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

      Text 5.25

      THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

      • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
      • Minds are engaged within
      • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
      Learnings from Purport 5.25

      (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

      (b) Who can engage in such welfare

      • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
      • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

      (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

      • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
      • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
      In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

      Text 5.26

      THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

      • Being free from anger and all material desires
      • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
      Learnings from Purport 5.26

      (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

      (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

      • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
      • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
      • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
      • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

      (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

        (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

        Text 5.25

        THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

        • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
        • Minds are engaged within
        • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
        Learnings from Purport 5.25

        (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

        (b) Who can engage in such welfare

        • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
        • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

        (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

        • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
        • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
        In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

        Text 5.26

        THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

        • Being free from anger and all material desires
        • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
        Learnings from Purport 5.26

        (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

        (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

        • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
        • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
        • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
        • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

        (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

        (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

        (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

        Text 5.24

        THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

        Learnings from Purport 5.24

        (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

        • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
        • No longer interested in material external happiness

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

        Text 5.25

        THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

        • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
        • Minds are engaged within
        • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
        Learnings from Purport 5.25

        (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

        (b) Who can engage in such welfare

        • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
        • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

        (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

        • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
        • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

        LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
        In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

        Text 5.26

        THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

        • Being free from anger and all material desires
        • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
        Learnings from Purport 5.26

        (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

        (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

        • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
        • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
        • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
        • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

        (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

          (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

          (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

          Text 5.24

          THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

          Learnings from Purport 5.24

          (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

          • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
          • No longer interested in material external happiness

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

          Text 5.25

          THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

          • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
          • Minds are engaged within
          • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
          Learnings from Purport 5.25

          (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

          (b) Who can engage in such welfare

          • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
          • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

          (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

          • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
          • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
          In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

          Text 5.26

          THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

          • Being free from anger and all material desires
          • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
          Learnings from Purport 5.26

          (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

          (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

          • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
          • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
          • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
          • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

          (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

          (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

          Text 5.23

          THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

          PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

          • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
            One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
            This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
          • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
          Learnings from Purport 5.23

          (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

          (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

          • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
          • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

          Text 5.24

          THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

          Learnings from Purport 5.24

          (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

          • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
          • No longer interested in material external happiness

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

          Text 5.25

          THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

          • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
          • Minds are engaged within
          • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
          Learnings from Purport 5.25

          (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

          (b) Who can engage in such welfare

          • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
          • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

          (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

          • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
          • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

          LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
          In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

          Text 5.26

          THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

          • Being free from anger and all material desires
          • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
          Learnings from Purport 5.26

          (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

          (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

          • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
          • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
          • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
          • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

          (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

            (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

            Text 5.23

            THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

            PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

            • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
              One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
              This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
            • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
            Learnings from Purport 5.23

            (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

            (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

            • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
            • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

            Text 5.24

            THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

            Learnings from Purport 5.24

            (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

            • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
            • No longer interested in material external happiness

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

            Text 5.25

            THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

            • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
            • Minds are engaged within
            • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
            Learnings from Purport 5.25

            (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

            (b) Who can engage in such welfare

            • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
            • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

            (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

            • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
            • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
            In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

            Text 5.26

            THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

            • Being free from anger and all material desires
            • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
            Learnings from Purport 5.26

            (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

            (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

            • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
            • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
            • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
            • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

            (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

            (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

            (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

            (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

            (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

            Text 5.22

            THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

            • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
            • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
            Learnings from Purport 5.22

            (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

            • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
              o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
            • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
              o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
              o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
              o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

            Text 5.23

            THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

            PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

            • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
              One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
              This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
            • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
            Learnings from Purport 5.23

            (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

            (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

            • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
            • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

            Text 5.24

            THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

            Learnings from Purport 5.24

            (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

            • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
            • No longer interested in material external happiness

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

            Text 5.25

            THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

            • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
            • Minds are engaged within
            • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
            Learnings from Purport 5.25

            (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

            (b) Who can engage in such welfare

            • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
            • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

            (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

            • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
            • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

            LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
            In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

            Text 5.26

            THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

            • Being free from anger and all material desires
            • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
            Learnings from Purport 5.26

            (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

            (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

            • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
            • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
            • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
            • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

            (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

              (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

              (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

              (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

              (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

              Text 5.22

              THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

              • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
              • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
              Learnings from Purport 5.22

              (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

              • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
              • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

              Text 5.23

              THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

              PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

              • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
              • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
              Learnings from Purport 5.23

              (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

              (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

              • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
              • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

              Text 5.24

              THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

              Learnings from Purport 5.24

              (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

              • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
              • No longer interested in material external happiness

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

              Text 5.25

              THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

              • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
              • Minds are engaged within
              • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
              Learnings from Purport 5.25

              (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

              (b) Who can engage in such welfare

              • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
              • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

              (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

              • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
              • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
              In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

              Text 5.26

              THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

              • Being free from anger and all material desires
              • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
              Learnings from Purport 5.26

              (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

              (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

              • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
              • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
              • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
              • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

              (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

              (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

              (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

              (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

              (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

              Text 5.21

              THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

              • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
              • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
              Learnings from Purport 5.21

              (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

              (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

              (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

              • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
              • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

              (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

              Text 5.22

              THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

              • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
              • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
              Learnings from Purport 5.22

              (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

              • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
              • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

              Text 5.23

              THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

              PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

              • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
              • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
              Learnings from Purport 5.23

              (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

              (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

              • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
              • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

              Text 5.24

              THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

              Learnings from Purport 5.24

              (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

              • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
              • No longer interested in material external happiness

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

              Text 5.25

              THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

              • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
              • Minds are engaged within
              • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
              Learnings from Purport 5.25

              (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

              (b) Who can engage in such welfare

              • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
              • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

              (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

              • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
              • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

              LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
              In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

              Text 5.26

              THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

              • Being free from anger and all material desires
              • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
              Learnings from Purport 5.26

              (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

              (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

              • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
              • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
              • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
              • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

              (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

                (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

                (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

                (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

                (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

                Text 5.21

                THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

                • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
                • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
                Learnings from Purport 5.21

                (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

                (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

                (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

                • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
                • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

                (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

                Text 5.22

                THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

                • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
                • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
                Learnings from Purport 5.22

                (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

                • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                  o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
                • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                  o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                  o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                  o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

                Text 5.23

                THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

                PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

                • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                  One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                  This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
                • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
                Learnings from Purport 5.23

                (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

                (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

                • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
                • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

                Text 5.24

                THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

                Learnings from Purport 5.24

                (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

                • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
                • No longer interested in material external happiness

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

                Text 5.25

                THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

                • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
                • Minds are engaged within
                • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
                Learnings from Purport 5.25

                (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

                (b) Who can engage in such welfare

                • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
                • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

                (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

                • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
                • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
                In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

                Text 5.26

                THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

                • Being free from anger and all material desires
                • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
                Learnings from Purport 5.26

                (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

                (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

                • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
                • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
                • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
                • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

                (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

                (a) “Equanimity of mind” – Sign of Self realization

                (b) Lord and living entity are “flawless” – How? Because

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.19 & 5.20 : Symptoms of such a liberated soul are described further.

                Text 5.20

                THEME: Symptoms of self-realized soul

                • Being without desire or hatred, one’s intelligence does not rejoice or lament
                • One remains sharp in intelligence and
                • ‘Unbewildered’ – Fixed in the self
                Learnings from Purport 5.20

                (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

                (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

                • This symptom is the basis of not rejoicing or lamenting for material dualities.

                (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

                • Based on knowledge that he is not this body but fragmental portion of Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

                Text 5.21

                THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

                • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
                • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
                Learnings from Purport 5.21

                (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

                (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

                (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

                • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
                • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

                (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

                Text 5.22

                THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

                • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
                • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
                Learnings from Purport 5.22

                (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

                • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                  o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
                • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                  o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                  o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                  o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

                Text 5.23

                THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

                PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

                • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                  One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                  This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
                • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
                Learnings from Purport 5.23

                (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

                (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

                • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
                • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

                Text 5.24

                THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

                Learnings from Purport 5.24

                (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

                • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
                • No longer interested in material external happiness

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

                Text 5.25

                THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

                • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
                • Minds are engaged within
                • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
                Learnings from Purport 5.25

                (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

                (b) Who can engage in such welfare

                • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
                • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

                (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

                • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
                • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

                LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
                In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

                Text 5.26

                THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

                • Being free from anger and all material desires
                • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
                Learnings from Purport 5.26

                (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

                (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

                • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
                • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
                • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
                • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

                (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

                  (a) “Equanimity of mind” – Sign of Self realization

                  (b) Lord and living entity are “flawless” – How? Because

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.19 & 5.20 : Symptoms of such a liberated soul are described further.

                  Text 5.20

                  THEME: Symptoms of self-realized soul

                  • Being without desire or hatred, one’s intelligence does not rejoice or lament
                  • One remains sharp in intelligence and
                  • ‘Unbewildered’ – Fixed in the self
                  Learnings from Purport 5.20

                  (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

                  (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

                  • This symptom is the basis of not rejoicing or lamenting for material dualities.

                  (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

                  • Based on knowledge that he is not this body but fragmental portion of Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                  (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

                  Text 5.21

                  THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

                  • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
                  • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
                  Learnings from Purport 5.21

                  (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

                  (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

                  (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

                  • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
                  • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

                  (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

                  Text 5.22

                  THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

                  • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
                  • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
                  Learnings from Purport 5.22

                  (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

                  • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                    o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
                  • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                    o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                    o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                    o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

                  Text 5.23

                  THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

                  PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

                  • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                    One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                    This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
                  • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
                  Learnings from Purport 5.23

                  (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

                  (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

                  • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
                  • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

                  Text 5.24

                  THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

                  Learnings from Purport 5.24

                  (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

                  • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
                  • No longer interested in material external happiness

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

                  Text 5.25

                  THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

                  • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
                  • Minds are engaged within
                  • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
                  Learnings from Purport 5.25

                  (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

                  (b) Who can engage in such welfare

                  • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
                  • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

                  (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

                  • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
                  • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
                  In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

                  Text 5.26

                  THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

                  • Being free from anger and all material desires
                  • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
                  Learnings from Purport 5.26

                  (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

                  (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

                  • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
                  • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
                  • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
                  • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

                  (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

                  (a) “Species” and “Caste” – two basis of mundane differentiation

                  (b) What is the basis of “equal vision”

                  (c) Similarity in the quality of the soul and Supersoul, however, does not make them equal in quantity

                  Text 5.19

                  THEME: Such a self-realized soul has no attraction or hatred to matter, thus he is flawless and impartial like the Lord.

                  Learnings from Purport 5.19

                  (a) “Equanimity of mind” – Sign of Self realization

                  • Importance of equanimity – at such a stage one is considered to have conquered material conditions specifically birth and death.
                  • Thus there is no rebirth but one can enter into the spiritual sky.

                  (b) Lord and living entity are “flawless” – How? Because

                  • On spiritual platform they are free from all attraction and hatred – this makes living entity eligible for spiritual sky.

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.19 & 5.20 : Symptoms of such a liberated soul are described further.

                  Text 5.20

                  THEME: Symptoms of self-realized soul

                  • Being without desire or hatred, one’s intelligence does not rejoice or lament
                  • One remains sharp in intelligence and
                  • ‘Unbewildered’ – Fixed in the self
                  Learnings from Purport 5.20

                  (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

                  (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

                  • This symptom is the basis of not rejoicing or lamenting for material dualities.

                  (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

                  • Based on knowledge that he is not this body but fragmental portion of Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                  (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

                  Text 5.21

                  THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

                  • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
                  • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
                  Learnings from Purport 5.21

                  (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

                  (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

                  (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

                  • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
                  • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

                  (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

                  Text 5.22

                  THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

                  • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
                  • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
                  Learnings from Purport 5.22

                  (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

                  • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                    o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
                  • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                    o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                    o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                    o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

                  Text 5.23

                  THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

                  PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

                  • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                    One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                    This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
                  • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
                  Learnings from Purport 5.23

                  (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

                  (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

                  • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
                  • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

                  Text 5.24

                  THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

                  Learnings from Purport 5.24

                  (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

                  • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
                  • No longer interested in material external happiness

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

                  Text 5.25

                  THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

                  • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
                  • Minds are engaged within
                  • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
                  Learnings from Purport 5.25

                  (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

                  (b) Who can engage in such welfare

                  • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
                  • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

                  (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

                  • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
                  • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

                  LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
                  In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

                  Text 5.26

                  THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

                  • Being free from anger and all material desires
                  • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
                  Learnings from Purport 5.26

                  (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

                  (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

                  • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
                  • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
                  • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
                  • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

                  (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

                    (a) “Species” and “Caste” – two basis of mundane differentiation

                    (b) What is the basis of “equal vision”

                    (c) Similarity in the quality of the soul and Supersoul, however, does not make them equal in quantity

                    Text 5.19

                    THEME: Such a self-realized soul has no attraction or hatred to matter, thus he is flawless and impartial like the Lord.

                    Learnings from Purport 5.19

                    (a) “Equanimity of mind” – Sign of Self realization

                    • Importance of equanimity – at such a stage one is considered to have conquered material conditions specifically birth and death.
                    • Thus there is no rebirth but one can enter into the spiritual sky.

                    (b) Lord and living entity are “flawless” – How? Because

                    • On spiritual platform they are free from all attraction and hatred – this makes living entity eligible for spiritual sky.

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.19 & 5.20 : Symptoms of such a liberated soul are described further.

                    Text 5.20

                    THEME: Symptoms of self-realized soul

                    • Being without desire or hatred, one’s intelligence does not rejoice or lament
                    • One remains sharp in intelligence and
                    • ‘Unbewildered’ – Fixed in the self
                    Learnings from Purport 5.20

                    (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

                    (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

                    • This symptom is the basis of not rejoicing or lamenting for material dualities.

                    (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

                    • Based on knowledge that he is not this body but fragmental portion of Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                    (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

                    Text 5.21

                    THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

                    • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
                    • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
                    Learnings from Purport 5.21

                    (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

                    (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

                    (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

                    • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
                    • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

                    (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

                    Text 5.22

                    THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

                    • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
                    • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
                    Learnings from Purport 5.22

                    (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

                    • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                      o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
                    • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                      o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                      o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                      o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

                    Text 5.23

                    THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

                    PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

                    • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                      One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                      This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
                    • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
                    Learnings from Purport 5.23

                    (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

                    (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

                    • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
                    • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

                    Text 5.24

                    THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

                    Learnings from Purport 5.24

                    (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

                    • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
                    • No longer interested in material external happiness

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

                    Text 5.25

                    THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

                    • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
                    • Minds are engaged within
                    • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
                    Learnings from Purport 5.25

                    (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

                    (b) Who can engage in such welfare

                    • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
                    • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

                    (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

                    • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
                    • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
                    In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

                    Text 5.26

                    THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

                    • Being free from anger and all material desires
                    • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
                    Learnings from Purport 5.26

                    (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

                    (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

                    • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
                    • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
                    • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
                    • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

                    (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

                    (a) Meaning of the word “Supreme” used in translation – Krishna is the “Supreme Reality”

                    (b) How a Krishna conscious person proceeds steadily on the path of liberation

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.17 & 5.18 : And what of the impartiality of those who transcend the material world in this way?

                    Text 5.18

                    THEME: Equality of vision – Liberated self-realized soul can see everything and everyone equally

                    • He, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog eater
                    Learnings from Purport 5.18

                    (a) “Species” and “Caste” – two basis of mundane differentiation

                    (b) What is the basis of “equal vision”

                    • Spiritual equality of living entities as spirit soul
                    • Lord neutrally present in the heart of all as Paramatma and thus treats everyone as a friend regardless of the circumstances of the living entities
                    • Bodies are the material productions of different modes of material nature

                    (c) Similarity in the quality of the soul and Supersoul, however, does not make them equal in quantity

                    • Individual soul is only present in that particular body
                    • Paramatma is present in each and every body.
                    Text 5.19

                    THEME: Such a self-realized soul has no attraction or hatred to matter, thus he is flawless and impartial like the Lord.

                    Learnings from Purport 5.19

                    (a) “Equanimity of mind” – Sign of Self realization

                    • Importance of equanimity – at such a stage one is considered to have conquered material conditions specifically birth and death.
                    • Thus there is no rebirth but one can enter into the spiritual sky.

                    (b) Lord and living entity are “flawless” – How? Because

                    • On spiritual platform they are free from all attraction and hatred – this makes living entity eligible for spiritual sky.

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.19 & 5.20 : Symptoms of such a liberated soul are described further.

                    Text 5.20

                    THEME: Symptoms of self-realized soul

                    • Being without desire or hatred, one’s intelligence does not rejoice or lament
                    • One remains sharp in intelligence and
                    • ‘Unbewildered’ – Fixed in the self
                    Learnings from Purport 5.20

                    (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

                    (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

                    • This symptom is the basis of not rejoicing or lamenting for material dualities.

                    (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

                    • Based on knowledge that he is not this body but fragmental portion of Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                    (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

                    Text 5.21

                    THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

                    • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
                    • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
                    Learnings from Purport 5.21

                    (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

                    (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

                    (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

                    • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
                    • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

                    (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

                    Text 5.22

                    THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

                    • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
                    • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
                    Learnings from Purport 5.22

                    (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

                    • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                      o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
                    • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                      o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                      o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                      o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

                    Text 5.23

                    THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

                    PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

                    • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                      One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                      This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
                    • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
                    Learnings from Purport 5.23

                    (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

                    (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

                    • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
                    • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

                    Text 5.24

                    THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

                    Learnings from Purport 5.24

                    (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

                    • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
                    • No longer interested in material external happiness

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

                    Text 5.25

                    THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

                    • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
                    • Minds are engaged within
                    • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
                    Learnings from Purport 5.25

                    (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

                    (b) Who can engage in such welfare

                    • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
                    • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

                    (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

                    • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
                    • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

                    LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
                    In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

                    Text 5.26

                    THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

                    • Being free from anger and all material desires
                    • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
                    Learnings from Purport 5.26

                    (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

                    (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

                    • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
                    • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
                    • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
                    • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

                    (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

                      (a) Meaning of the word “Supreme” used in translation – Krishna is the “Supreme Reality”

                      (b) How a Krishna conscious person proceeds steadily on the path of liberation

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.17 & 5.18 : And what of the impartiality of those who transcend the material world in this way?

                      Text 5.18

                      THEME: Equality of vision – Liberated self-realized soul can see everything and everyone equally

                      • He, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog eater
                      Learnings from Purport 5.18

                      (a) “Species” and “Caste” – two basis of mundane differentiation

                      (b) What is the basis of “equal vision”

                      • Spiritual equality of living entities as spirit soul
                      • Lord neutrally present in the heart of all as Paramatma and thus treats everyone as a friend regardless of the circumstances of the living entities
                      • Bodies are the material productions of different modes of material nature

                      (c) Similarity in the quality of the soul and Supersoul, however, does not make them equal in quantity

                      • Individual soul is only present in that particular body
                      • Paramatma is present in each and every body.
                      Text 5.19

                      THEME: Such a self-realized soul has no attraction or hatred to matter, thus he is flawless and impartial like the Lord.

                      Learnings from Purport 5.19

                      (a) “Equanimity of mind” – Sign of Self realization

                      • Importance of equanimity – at such a stage one is considered to have conquered material conditions specifically birth and death.
                      • Thus there is no rebirth but one can enter into the spiritual sky.

                      (b) Lord and living entity are “flawless” – How? Because

                      • On spiritual platform they are free from all attraction and hatred – this makes living entity eligible for spiritual sky.

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.19 & 5.20 : Symptoms of such a liberated soul are described further.

                      Text 5.20

                      THEME: Symptoms of self-realized soul

                      • Being without desire or hatred, one’s intelligence does not rejoice or lament
                      • One remains sharp in intelligence and
                      • ‘Unbewildered’ – Fixed in the self
                      Learnings from Purport 5.20

                      (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

                      (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

                      • This symptom is the basis of not rejoicing or lamenting for material dualities.

                      (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

                      • Based on knowledge that he is not this body but fragmental portion of Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                      (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

                      Text 5.21

                      THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

                      • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
                      • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
                      Learnings from Purport 5.21

                      (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

                      (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

                      (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

                      • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
                      • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

                      (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

                      Text 5.22

                      THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

                      • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
                      • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
                      Learnings from Purport 5.22

                      (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

                      • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                        o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
                      • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                        o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                        o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                        o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

                      Text 5.23

                      THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

                      PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

                      • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                        One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                        This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
                      • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
                      Learnings from Purport 5.23

                      (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

                      (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

                      • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
                      • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

                      Text 5.24

                      THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

                      Learnings from Purport 5.24

                      (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

                      • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
                      • No longer interested in material external happiness

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

                      Text 5.25

                      THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

                      • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
                      • Minds are engaged within
                      • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
                      Learnings from Purport 5.25

                      (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

                      (b) Who can engage in such welfare

                      • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
                      • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

                      (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

                      • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
                      • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
                      In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

                      Text 5.26

                      THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

                      • Being free from anger and all material desires
                      • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
                      Learnings from Purport 5.26

                      (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

                      (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

                      • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
                      • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
                      • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
                      • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

                      (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

                      LIBERATION BY FOCUSSING ON THE SUPERSOUL (5.17 – 5.26)

                      LINK WITH PREVIOUS SECTION :: We become enlightened by accurately understanding the interrelations between the living entity, the three modes of nature and the Supersoul. This knowledge removes ignorance. When ignorance is removed, the living entity takes shelter of the Supersoul and attains liberation.

                      SUMMARISED THEME 5E

                      CHARACTERISTICS OF AN ENLIGHTENED LIBERATED KARMA-YOGI (5.17 – 5.26)

                      • Vision of a self-realized soul (5.18 – 5.22)
                      • Equal vision to all living entities – Irrespective of species and caste (5.18)
                      • No attraction/aversion to matter (5.19), thus he is flawless and impartial like the Lord
                      • No rejoicing/lamenting for material events (5.20)
                      • Intelligence fixed in self, and one knows the science of God (5.20)
                        o Knows perfectly about three levels of Absolute Truth and constitutional position of living entity
                        o This is Brahman realization or self-realization
                      • Never attracted to sense gratification, because
                        o He understands that (5.22)
                            ▪ Contact of senses with sense objects is the source of misery and continual material existence
                            ▪ Sense pleasure is temporary and limited
                        o He experiences great happiness within – Higher taste (5.24)
                      • Internal and external behavior/activities of a self realized soul (5.23 – 5.26)
                      • Tolerates the forces of Desires and Anger; and urges of senses till Death (5.23)
                      • How he tolerates
                      • By focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward (higher taste) (5.24)
                      • Purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others (5.25)
                      • Fixed meditation on Supersoul (5.26) – Soon attains liberation in near future
                      Text 5.17

                      THEME:  Becoming fixed in the Supreme – As described in this verse, after one achieves knowledge that he is different from his body i.e knowledge born of the mode of goodness (Ref. Bg. 14.17 “sattvat sanjayate jnanam…”) – he must become “fixed in the Supreme” to achieve liberation

                      • By fixing one’s intelligence, mind, faith and refuge in the Supreme, one becomes fully cleansed of misgivings through complete knowledge
                      • Thus one proceeds straight on the path of liberation
                      Learnings from Purport 5.17

                      (a) Meaning of the word “Supreme” used in translation – Krishna is the “Supreme Reality”

                      • The whole Bhagavad-gita centers around the declaration that “Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead”.
                      • ‘Para-tattva’ means the Supreme reality, who is understood by the knowers of the Supreme as Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan.
                      • Bhagavan is the last word in the Absolute. Two references for this
                        o Ref. Bg. 7.7 –“mattah parataram…”
                        o Ref. Bg. 14.27 – “brahmano hi…”

                      (b) How a Krishna conscious person proceeds steadily on the path of liberation

                      • By fixing one’s mind, intelligence, faith and refuge in Krishna one is washed of all misgivings
                      • One achieves perfect knowledge in everything concerning transcendence – Thus achieves thorough understanding that there is duality in Krishna (Simultaneous identity and individuality).

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.17 & 5.18 : And what of the impartiality of those who transcend the material world in this way?

                      Text 5.18

                      THEME: Equality of vision – Liberated self-realized soul can see everything and everyone equally

                      • He, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog and a dog eater
                      Learnings from Purport 5.18

                      (a) “Species” and “Caste” – two basis of mundane differentiation

                      (b) What is the basis of “equal vision”

                      • Spiritual equality of living entities as spirit soul
                      • Lord neutrally present in the heart of all as Paramatma and thus treats everyone as a friend regardless of the circumstances of the living entities
                      • Bodies are the material productions of different modes of material nature

                      (c) Similarity in the quality of the soul and Supersoul, however, does not make them equal in quantity

                      • Individual soul is only present in that particular body
                      • Paramatma is present in each and every body.
                      Text 5.19

                      THEME: Such a self-realized soul has no attraction or hatred to matter, thus he is flawless and impartial like the Lord.

                      Learnings from Purport 5.19

                      (a) “Equanimity of mind” – Sign of Self realization

                      • Importance of equanimity – at such a stage one is considered to have conquered material conditions specifically birth and death.
                      • Thus there is no rebirth but one can enter into the spiritual sky.

                      (b) Lord and living entity are “flawless” – How? Because

                      • On spiritual platform they are free from all attraction and hatred – this makes living entity eligible for spiritual sky.

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.19 & 5.20 : Symptoms of such a liberated soul are described further.

                      Text 5.20

                      THEME: Symptoms of self-realized soul

                      • Being without desire or hatred, one’s intelligence does not rejoice or lament
                      • One remains sharp in intelligence and
                      • ‘Unbewildered’ – Fixed in the self
                      Learnings from Purport 5.20

                      (a) Text 5.20 – 5.21 describes the symptoms of a self realized soul (5.20 – 5.21)

                      (b) Foremost symptom – no illusion of false bodily identification

                      • This symptom is the basis of not rejoicing or lamenting for material dualities.

                      (c) “Sthira-Buddhih” – Steadiness of mind – Not rejoice/lament for bodily relations or achievements:

                      • Based on knowledge that he is not this body but fragmental portion of Supreme Personality of Godhead.

                      (d) Unbewildered – Not misidentify Body as soul/nor take body as permanent.

                      Text 5.21

                      THEME: Further symptoms of self-realized soul

                      • Being fixed in the self one experiences great happiness within (higher taste) and thus one is never attracted to the temporary sense gratification.
                      • One concentrates on the Supreme and enjoys unlimited happiness.
                      Learnings from Purport 5.21

                      (a) Example of higher taste – Yamunacarya

                      (b) Brahma-yoga stage – One who is absorbed in Krishna consciousness, looses taste for sense pleasure

                      (c) Test in spiritual realization – One can work with great vigor without sex pleasure, which he avoids

                      • Highest material pleasure – sex pleasure:
                      • Spiritual realisation and sex pleasure go ill together

                      (d) Krishna conscious person is not attracted to any kind of sense pleasure, due to his being liberated soul

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.21 & 5.22 : In the next two verses, Krishna tells Arjuna why sensual desires are foolish.

                      Text 5.22

                      THEME: An intelligent person does not take part in sensual pleasures because

                      • Contact of senses with the sense objects is a source of misery
                      • Such pleasures have a beginning and an end – They are temporary
                      Learnings from Purport 5.22

                      (a) Liberated soul is not interested in material pleasures – enjoys unlimited transcendental bliss

                      • Ref. Padma Purana – “Ramante yogino…”
                        o Meaning of ‘Rama’ – Mystics derive unlimited transcendental pleasure from the Absolute Truth, therefore Supreme Absolute Truth is known as Rama
                      • SB. 5.5.1 (Teachings of Lord Rsbhadeva)
                        o Human life should not be used to labor very hard for sense pleasure like stool-eaters (hogs)
                        o Human Life should be used for performing penances and purifying the existence
                        o As a result of proper penances, you will enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.22 & 5.23 : The result of tolerating sense desires and not succumbing to their pushings is explained below.

                      Text 5.23

                      THEME:  Tolerate the urges till the end of life – One should patiently tolerate the “urges of material senses” and the “forces of desire and anger” before giving up this present body.

                      PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF TEXT 5.23

                      • How long will we have to tolerate the pushings of the mind and senses? Does maya give up?
                        One day, do we wake up liberated, freed from the impediments caused by the mind and senses?
                        This verse answers that sense attraction must be tolerated until death.
                      • We can remain tolerant by fixing our consciousness on Krishna. The pleasure of Krishna consciousness, combined with the conviction that nothing in this world can bring lasting happiness, will help us tolerate the pushings of the body and mind.
                      Learnings from Purport 5.23

                      (a) Forces of senses – Six urges i.e. speech, anger, mind, tongue, stomach, genitals.

                      (b) Duty of transcendentalists – To strenuously try to control desire and anger

                      • Material desires if un-satiated creates anger : Mind, eyes and chest becomes agitated.
                      • Why to tolerate – One must practice to control them before one gives up this material body to make steady progress on spiritual path and achieve transcendental bliss.

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.23 : The pleasure of spiritual realization is the topic of the next verse.

                      Text 5.24

                      THEME: Higher taste – One gets the strength to tolerate the sensual urges by focussing his happiness, activities and goals inward.

                      Learnings from Purport 5.24

                      (a) Brahma-bhuta stage (Liberated platform)

                      • To enjoy happiness by factual experience within
                      • No longer interested in material external happiness

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.24 & 5.25 : Krishna gives more symptoms of one seeking satisfaction in spirit, not matter.

                      Text 5.25

                      THEME: He engages in purifying his external activities by working for the benefit of others

                      • He is beyond the dualities that arise from doubts
                      • Minds are engaged within
                      • Thus one is free from all sins and achieves Brahma-nirvana stage or liberation in the Supreme
                      Learnings from Purport 5.25

                      (a) Highest welfare work – To revive the forgetfulness of Krishna being the Supreme enjoyer, proprietor and well-wisher

                      (b) Who can engage in such welfare

                      • One cannot engage in such first class welfare without being liberated in the Supreme
                      • Therefore only one in full Krishna consciousness can perform such welfare

                      (c) What is the imperfect understanding of “welfare activities”

                      • Physical welfare or temporary relief of external body and mind
                      • Why it is imperfect – Because the real cause of one’s difficulties is “forgetfulness of one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord”.

                      LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 5.26 & 5.25 : After reading Text 5.24 and 5.25, we may think that achieving liberation is too difficult, and we may become discouraged. In Text 5.24, Srila Prabhupada’s translation uses the word “ultimately,” as if to caution us that the result won’t be quickly achieved. Similarly, the qualities mentioned in these two verses are rarely found.
                      In the next verse, however, Krishna speaks reassuringly.

                      Text 5.26

                      THEME: By fixed meditation on Supersoul one soon attains liberation in near future. One is assured liberation by:

                      • Being free from anger and all material desires
                      • By being self-realized, self-disciplined and constantly endeavoring for perfection
                      Learnings from Purport 5.26

                      (a) “Krishna Conscious person is the best of all salvationists” – Because effective control of senses is done by focusing on Lotus Feet of Lord which uproots all the deep-grown desires of fruitive acts (Ref. SB. 4.22.39).

                      (b) Analogy of meditation: Tortoise, Fish, Bird –

                      • The tortoise brings up its offspring simply by meditation. The eggs of the tortoise are laid on land, and the tortoise meditates on the eggs while in the water.
                      • The fish brings up its offspring simply by looking at them.
                      • Birds maintain their offspring by touching.
                      • Similarly, the devotee in Krishna consciousness, although far away from the Lord’s abode, can elevate himself to that abode simply by thinking of Him constantly—by engagement in Krishna consciousness.

                      (c) Brahma-nirvana: Stage of absence of material miseries due to being constantly immersed in the Supreme.

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