ADVANCING IN YOGA THROUGH DETACHED WORK (6.1 – 6.4)

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.3 & 6.4: Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura answers the question “Should the ashtanga-yogi perform his prescribed duties as long as he lives?”. He says that this third text describes how in the yogaruruksa (beginning) stage, one works in niskama-karma-yoga while simultaneously practicing ashtanga-yoga. That purifies his heart. When the aspiring yogi becomes elevated in his practice to the point of yogarudha, he gives up niskama-karma-yoga and practices astanga-yoga exclusively. Srila Baladeva Vidyabhushana adds, “The yogarudha stage begins at dhyana, which is described in the next verse

Text 6.4

THEME : This verse explains the Yoga-rudha stage – In later stages, when the practitioner is completely purified, he can also give up the work itself

This is the stage when one:
Renounces all material desires, and
Neither acts for sense gratification, nor engages in fruitive acts

Learnings from Purport (6.4)

(a) Krishna consciousness fulfils all the criteria of Yoga-rudha stage by engagement in transcendental loving service

One is always pleased in himself and is no longer engaged in sense gratification
Krishna conscious person can do everything for Krishna’s satisfaction and thus perfectly detach from sense-gratification

(b) Without Krishna consciousness –

Senses always need one engagement and without Krishna consciousness they automatically are engaged in sense-gratification
One is always seeking self-centered or extended selfish activities

(c) Krishna consciousness vs Astanga-yoga – To practice astanga-yoga without realization of Krishna implies:

One must mechanically try to escape material miseries before being elevated to the top rung of yoga ladder

(a) Yoga – Process of linking oneself with the Supreme

(b) Analogy: Yoga is compared to a ladder

It begins from the lowest material condition of living entity to topmost spiritual realisation
Complete ladder is called yoga, divided into 3 parts: Jnana-yoga, Dhyana-yoga, Bhakti-yoga.
Beginning is called Yogaruruksa, Highest rung is called Yogarudha

(c) “Understanding the gradual progress in astanga-yoga practice”

Attempts in the beginning to enter into meditation through regulative principles of life and practice of different sitting postures are considered fruitive material activities
All such activities lead to achieving perfect mental equilibrium to control the senses
When one is accomplished in practicing meditation, he ceases disturbing mental activities

(d) How Krishna consciousness situates one on the platform of “meditation” – in beginning itself

Because always thinking of Krishna
Constantly engaged in Krishna’s service
Ceased all material activities

Text 6.4

THEME : This verse explains the Yoga-rudha stage – In later stages, when the practitioner is completely purified, he can also give up the work itself

This is the stage when one:
Renounces all material desires, and
Neither acts for sense gratification, nor engages in fruitive acts

Learnings from Purport (6.4)

(a) Krishna consciousness fulfils all the criteria of Yoga-rudha stage by engagement in transcendental loving service

One is always pleased in himself and is no longer engaged in sense gratification
Krishna conscious person can do everything for Krishna’s satisfaction and thus perfectly detach from sense-gratification

(b) Without Krishna consciousness –

Senses always need one engagement and without Krishna consciousness they automatically are engaged in sense-gratification
One is always seeking self-centered or extended selfish activities

(c) Krishna consciousness vs Astanga-yoga – To practice astanga-yoga without realization of Krishna implies:

One must mechanically try to escape material miseries before being elevated to the top rung of yoga ladder

(a) Real sannyasa-yoga or bhakti implies knowledge of one’s constitutional position as living entity and acting accordingly:

Constitution of living entity:
o No separate independent identity, but part and parcel of the Supreme
o Marginal energy of Supreme
o Conditioned state – When the living entity is entrapped by material energy, it is called conditioned state
o Real natural state of Life – When the living entity is Krishna conscious or aware of spiritual energy
Stage of complete knowledge – When living entity ceases all sense-gratifactory activities and acts according to spiritual constitution
o How Yogis achieve this stage – Yogis practice this stage by restraining senses from material attachment
o How devotees achieve this stage – He has no opportunity to engage senses in anything other than Krishna; which implies, he is in a stage of complete knowledge
▪ Therefore Krishna conscious person is a perfect sannyasi and yogi
▪ Therefore bhakti includes the purpose of jnana (knowledge) and yoga (controlling senses)

(b) Failure of “jnana” and “yoga”, if we do not give up activities of selfish nature:

Real aim of life is to give up all selfish satisfaction and be prepared to satisfy the Supreme.
Who fails in this aim – One with no information of the Supreme must engage in selfish activities.
Who fulfils this criteria fully – Only a Krishna conscious persons who has no desire for sense enjoyment and always engaged for the enjoyment of the Supreme.

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.2 & 6.3 : Krishna now explains that the yoga process is divided into two levels.

Text 6.3

THEME : Two levels of yoga practice – In the beginning stages, one should continue to perform his activities, giving up the desire to enjoy the fruit

1. Yogaruruksa stage – “Beginning Stage” in which prescribed duties are essential to gradually purify one of fruitive desires

Work, cultivating detachment
Also practicing asanas, etc.

2. Yogarudha stage – “Advanced Stage”; after achieving freedom from desires that impel fruitive work, one retires from active duties for contemplation and meditation

When pratyahara is perfect
Stop Working (‘Dhyana’ stage)

Learnings from Purport 6.3

(a) Yoga – Process of linking oneself with the Supreme

(b) Analogy: Yoga is compared to a ladder

It begins from the lowest material condition of living entity to topmost spiritual realisation
Complete ladder is called yoga, divided into 3 parts: Jnana-yoga, Dhyana-yoga, Bhakti-yoga.
Beginning is called Yogaruruksa, Highest rung is called Yogarudha

(c) “Understanding the gradual progress in astanga-yoga practice”

Attempts in the beginning to enter into meditation through regulative principles of life and practice of different sitting postures are considered fruitive material activities
All such activities lead to achieving perfect mental equilibrium to control the senses
When one is accomplished in practicing meditation, he ceases disturbing mental activities

(d) How Krishna consciousness situates one on the platform of “meditation” – in beginning itself

Because always thinking of Krishna
Constantly engaged in Krishna’s service
Ceased all material activities

Text 6.4

THEME : This verse explains the Yoga-rudha stage – In later stages, when the practitioner is completely purified, he can also give up the work itself

This is the stage when one:
Renounces all material desires, and
Neither acts for sense gratification, nor engages in fruitive acts

Learnings from Purport (6.4)

(a) Krishna consciousness fulfils all the criteria of Yoga-rudha stage by engagement in transcendental loving service

One is always pleased in himself and is no longer engaged in sense gratification
Krishna conscious person can do everything for Krishna’s satisfaction and thus perfectly detach from sense-gratification

(b) Without Krishna consciousness –

Senses always need one engagement and without Krishna consciousness they automatically are engaged in sense-gratification
One is always seeking self-centered or extended selfish activities

(c) Krishna consciousness vs Astanga-yoga – To practice astanga-yoga without realization of Krishna implies:

One must mechanically try to escape material miseries before being elevated to the top rung of yoga ladder

(a) Real sannyasa-yoga or bhakti implies knowledge of one’s constitutional position as living entity and acting accordingly:

Constitution of living entity:
o No separate independent identity, but part and parcel of the Supreme
o Marginal energy of Supreme
o Conditioned state – When the living entity is entrapped by material energy, it is called conditioned state
o Real natural state of Life – When the living entity is Krishna conscious or aware of spiritual energy
Stage of complete knowledge – When living entity ceases all sense-gratifactory activities and acts according to spiritual constitution
o How Yogis achieve this stage – Yogis practice this stage by restraining senses from material attachment
o How devotees achieve this stage – He has no opportunity to engage senses in anything other than Krishna; which implies, he is in a stage of complete knowledge
▪ Therefore Krishna conscious person is a perfect sannyasi and yogi
▪ Therefore bhakti includes the purpose of jnana (knowledge) and yoga (controlling senses)

(b) Failure of “jnana” and “yoga”, if we do not give up activities of selfish nature:

Real aim of life is to give up all selfish satisfaction and be prepared to satisfy the Supreme.
Who fails in this aim – One with no information of the Supreme must engage in selfish activities.
Who fulfils this criteria fully – Only a Krishna conscious persons who has no desire for sense enjoyment and always engaged for the enjoyment of the Supreme.

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.2 & 6.3 : Krishna now explains that the yoga process is divided into two levels.

Text 6.3

THEME : Two levels of yoga practice – In the beginning stages, one should continue to perform his activities, giving up the desire to enjoy the fruit

1. Yogaruruksa stage – “Beginning Stage” in which prescribed duties are essential to gradually purify one of fruitive desires

Work, cultivating detachment
Also practicing asanas, etc.

2. Yogarudha stage – “Advanced Stage”; after achieving freedom from desires that impel fruitive work, one retires from active duties for contemplation and meditation

When pratyahara is perfect
Stop Working (‘Dhyana’ stage)

Learnings from Purport 6.3

(a) Yoga – Process of linking oneself with the Supreme

(b) Analogy: Yoga is compared to a ladder

It begins from the lowest material condition of living entity to topmost spiritual realisation
Complete ladder is called yoga, divided into 3 parts: Jnana-yoga, Dhyana-yoga, Bhakti-yoga.
Beginning is called Yogaruruksa, Highest rung is called Yogarudha

(c) “Understanding the gradual progress in astanga-yoga practice”

Attempts in the beginning to enter into meditation through regulative principles of life and practice of different sitting postures are considered fruitive material activities
All such activities lead to achieving perfect mental equilibrium to control the senses
When one is accomplished in practicing meditation, he ceases disturbing mental activities

(d) How Krishna consciousness situates one on the platform of “meditation” – in beginning itself

Because always thinking of Krishna
Constantly engaged in Krishna’s service
Ceased all material activities

Text 6.4

THEME : This verse explains the Yoga-rudha stage – In later stages, when the practitioner is completely purified, he can also give up the work itself

This is the stage when one:
Renounces all material desires, and
Neither acts for sense gratification, nor engages in fruitive acts

Learnings from Purport (6.4)

(a) Krishna consciousness fulfils all the criteria of Yoga-rudha stage by engagement in transcendental loving service

One is always pleased in himself and is no longer engaged in sense gratification
Krishna conscious person can do everything for Krishna’s satisfaction and thus perfectly detach from sense-gratification

(b) Without Krishna consciousness –

Senses always need one engagement and without Krishna consciousness they automatically are engaged in sense-gratification
One is always seeking self-centered or extended selfish activities

(c) Krishna consciousness vs Astanga-yoga – To practice astanga-yoga without realization of Krishna implies:

One must mechanically try to escape material miseries before being elevated to the top rung of yoga ladder

(a) Karma-yoga is better than astanga-yoga because

Astanga-yoga, as a means to control mind and senses is very difficult especially in this age
Everyone in this world is working for personal self-interest (personal or extended).
Sannyasis and mystic yogis are also self interested as follows:
o Sannyasis – They are always seeking oneness with impersonal Brahman (desiring liberation) and they cease to perform their prescribed duties like ‘agnihotra yajnas’ etc.
o Mystic yogis – They also seek some satisfaction for their personal self by aspiring for mystic perfections (siddhis)
But the criteria of perfection is “to act in Krishna consciousness and not with a view to enjoy the fruits of one’s work”
o Analogy: Limbs as part and parcel of the whole are supposed to serve the whole – Similarly Krishna consciousness is the duty of all living entities

(b) Therefore definition of ‘perfect sannyasi’ and ‘perfect yogi’ – Those who work only for the satisfaction of Krishna without any self-interest

Conclusion: Krishna conscious devotee is the most perfect and true sannyasi and yogi
e.g. Lord Caitanya prays for devotional service as the ultimate perfection – “na dhanam na janam…”

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.1 & 6.2: Krishna will now explain the relationship between sannyasa and yoga.

Text 6.2

THEME : Detached action is same as renunciation because both require freedom from desire of sense gratification.

Learnings from Purport 6.2

(a) Real sannyasa-yoga or bhakti implies knowledge of one’s constitutional position as living entity and acting accordingly:

Constitution of living entity:
o No separate independent identity, but part and parcel of the Supreme
o Marginal energy of Supreme
o Conditioned state – When the living entity is entrapped by material energy, it is called conditioned state
o Real natural state of Life – When the living entity is Krishna conscious or aware of spiritual energy
Stage of complete knowledge – When living entity ceases all sense-gratifactory activities and acts according to spiritual constitution
o How Yogis achieve this stage – Yogis practice this stage by restraining senses from material attachment
o How devotees achieve this stage – He has no opportunity to engage senses in anything other than Krishna; which implies, he is in a stage of complete knowledge
▪ Therefore Krishna conscious person is a perfect sannyasi and yogi
▪ Therefore bhakti includes the purpose of jnana (knowledge) and yoga (controlling senses)

(b) Failure of “jnana” and “yoga”, if we do not give up activities of selfish nature:

Real aim of life is to give up all selfish satisfaction and be prepared to satisfy the Supreme.
Who fails in this aim – One with no information of the Supreme must engage in selfish activities.
Who fulfils this criteria fully – Only a Krishna conscious persons who has no desire for sense enjoyment and always engaged for the enjoyment of the Supreme.

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.2 & 6.3 : Krishna now explains that the yoga process is divided into two levels.

Text 6.3

THEME : Two levels of yoga practice – In the beginning stages, one should continue to perform his activities, giving up the desire to enjoy the fruit

1. Yogaruruksa stage – “Beginning Stage” in which prescribed duties are essential to gradually purify one of fruitive desires

Work, cultivating detachment
Also practicing asanas, etc.

2. Yogarudha stage – “Advanced Stage”; after achieving freedom from desires that impel fruitive work, one retires from active duties for contemplation and meditation

When pratyahara is perfect
Stop Working (‘Dhyana’ stage)

Learnings from Purport 6.3

(a) Yoga – Process of linking oneself with the Supreme

(b) Analogy: Yoga is compared to a ladder

It begins from the lowest material condition of living entity to topmost spiritual realisation
Complete ladder is called yoga, divided into 3 parts: Jnana-yoga, Dhyana-yoga, Bhakti-yoga.
Beginning is called Yogaruruksa, Highest rung is called Yogarudha

(c) “Understanding the gradual progress in astanga-yoga practice”

Attempts in the beginning to enter into meditation through regulative principles of life and practice of different sitting postures are considered fruitive material activities
All such activities lead to achieving perfect mental equilibrium to control the senses
When one is accomplished in practicing meditation, he ceases disturbing mental activities

(d) How Krishna consciousness situates one on the platform of “meditation” – in beginning itself

Because always thinking of Krishna
Constantly engaged in Krishna’s service
Ceased all material activities

Text 6.4

THEME : This verse explains the Yoga-rudha stage – In later stages, when the practitioner is completely purified, he can also give up the work itself

This is the stage when one:
Renounces all material desires, and
Neither acts for sense gratification, nor engages in fruitive acts

Learnings from Purport (6.4)

(a) Krishna consciousness fulfils all the criteria of Yoga-rudha stage by engagement in transcendental loving service

One is always pleased in himself and is no longer engaged in sense gratification
Krishna conscious person can do everything for Krishna’s satisfaction and thus perfectly detach from sense-gratification

(b) Without Krishna consciousness –

Senses always need one engagement and without Krishna consciousness they automatically are engaged in sense-gratification
One is always seeking self-centered or extended selfish activities

(c) Krishna consciousness vs Astanga-yoga – To practice astanga-yoga without realization of Krishna implies:

One must mechanically try to escape material miseries before being elevated to the top rung of yoga ladder

(a) Karma-yoga is better than astanga-yoga because

Astanga-yoga, as a means to control mind and senses is very difficult especially in this age
Everyone in this world is working for personal self-interest (personal or extended).
Sannyasis and mystic yogis are also self interested as follows:
o Sannyasis – They are always seeking oneness with impersonal Brahman (desiring liberation) and they cease to perform their prescribed duties like ‘agnihotra yajnas’ etc.
o Mystic yogis – They also seek some satisfaction for their personal self by aspiring for mystic perfections (siddhis)
But the criteria of perfection is “to act in Krishna consciousness and not with a view to enjoy the fruits of one’s work”
o Analogy: Limbs as part and parcel of the whole are supposed to serve the whole – Similarly Krishna consciousness is the duty of all living entities

(b) Therefore definition of ‘perfect sannyasi’ and ‘perfect yogi’ – Those who work only for the satisfaction of Krishna without any self-interest

Conclusion: Krishna conscious devotee is the most perfect and true sannyasi and yogi
e.g. Lord Caitanya prays for devotional service as the ultimate perfection – “na dhanam na janam…”

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.1 & 6.2: Krishna will now explain the relationship between sannyasa and yoga.

Text 6.2

THEME : Detached action is same as renunciation because both require freedom from desire of sense gratification.

Learnings from Purport 6.2

(a) Real sannyasa-yoga or bhakti implies knowledge of one’s constitutional position as living entity and acting accordingly:

Constitution of living entity:
o No separate independent identity, but part and parcel of the Supreme
o Marginal energy of Supreme
o Conditioned state – When the living entity is entrapped by material energy, it is called conditioned state
o Real natural state of Life – When the living entity is Krishna conscious or aware of spiritual energy
Stage of complete knowledge – When living entity ceases all sense-gratifactory activities and acts according to spiritual constitution
o How Yogis achieve this stage – Yogis practice this stage by restraining senses from material attachment
o How devotees achieve this stage – He has no opportunity to engage senses in anything other than Krishna; which implies, he is in a stage of complete knowledge
▪ Therefore Krishna conscious person is a perfect sannyasi and yogi
▪ Therefore bhakti includes the purpose of jnana (knowledge) and yoga (controlling senses)

(b) Failure of “jnana” and “yoga”, if we do not give up activities of selfish nature:

Real aim of life is to give up all selfish satisfaction and be prepared to satisfy the Supreme.
Who fails in this aim – One with no information of the Supreme must engage in selfish activities.
Who fulfils this criteria fully – Only a Krishna conscious persons who has no desire for sense enjoyment and always engaged for the enjoyment of the Supreme.

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.2 & 6.3 : Krishna now explains that the yoga process is divided into two levels.

Text 6.3

THEME : Two levels of yoga practice – In the beginning stages, one should continue to perform his activities, giving up the desire to enjoy the fruit

1. Yogaruruksa stage – “Beginning Stage” in which prescribed duties are essential to gradually purify one of fruitive desires

Work, cultivating detachment
Also practicing asanas, etc.

2. Yogarudha stage – “Advanced Stage”; after achieving freedom from desires that impel fruitive work, one retires from active duties for contemplation and meditation

When pratyahara is perfect
Stop Working (‘Dhyana’ stage)

Learnings from Purport 6.3

(a) Yoga – Process of linking oneself with the Supreme

(b) Analogy: Yoga is compared to a ladder

It begins from the lowest material condition of living entity to topmost spiritual realisation
Complete ladder is called yoga, divided into 3 parts: Jnana-yoga, Dhyana-yoga, Bhakti-yoga.
Beginning is called Yogaruruksa, Highest rung is called Yogarudha

(c) “Understanding the gradual progress in astanga-yoga practice”

Attempts in the beginning to enter into meditation through regulative principles of life and practice of different sitting postures are considered fruitive material activities
All such activities lead to achieving perfect mental equilibrium to control the senses
When one is accomplished in practicing meditation, he ceases disturbing mental activities

(d) How Krishna consciousness situates one on the platform of “meditation” – in beginning itself

Because always thinking of Krishna
Constantly engaged in Krishna’s service
Ceased all material activities

Text 6.4

THEME : This verse explains the Yoga-rudha stage – In later stages, when the practitioner is completely purified, he can also give up the work itself

This is the stage when one:
Renounces all material desires, and
Neither acts for sense gratification, nor engages in fruitive acts

Learnings from Purport (6.4)

(a) Krishna consciousness fulfils all the criteria of Yoga-rudha stage by engagement in transcendental loving service

One is always pleased in himself and is no longer engaged in sense gratification
Krishna conscious person can do everything for Krishna’s satisfaction and thus perfectly detach from sense-gratification

(b) Without Krishna consciousness –

Senses always need one engagement and without Krishna consciousness they automatically are engaged in sense-gratification
One is always seeking self-centered or extended selfish activities

(c) Krishna consciousness vs Astanga-yoga – To practice astanga-yoga without realization of Krishna implies:

One must mechanically try to escape material miseries before being elevated to the top rung of yoga ladder