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’pūrvārtha-samprāptau saṅgati-dhyāna-yuktiṣu. When one is put into an awkward position because of
ignorance, the process by which one can be freed from this entanglement is called yoga. This is also called
liberation. Muktir hitvānyathā-rūpaṁ svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ. Mukti means giving up one’s position in
ignorance or illusion, by which one thinks in a way contrary to his constitutional position. Returning to one’s
constitutional position is called mukti, and the process by which one does this is called yoga. Thus yoga is
above karma, jñāna and sāṅkhya. Indeed, yoga is the ultimate goal of life. Kṛṣṇa therefore advised Arjuna to
become a yogī (tasmād yogī bhavārjuna). Lord Kṛṣṇa further advised in Bhagavad-gītā that the first-class yogī
is he who has come to the platform of devotional service.
yoginām api sarveṣāṁ / mad-gatenāntarātmanā
śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ / sa me yuktatamo mataḥ
Of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is
most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. (Bg. 6.47)
Thus one who always thinks of Kṛṣṇa within the core of his heart is the best yogī. By practicing this best of all
yoga systems, one is liberated from the material condition. (SB 7.7.28 – purport)
Whatever is experienced during the waking state is also experienced in the dreaming state. For many births
and deaths, the mind and senses have been in contact with the sense objects. It is almost impossible for the
mind to give up attachment to the objects of attraction. The mind is attracted to material objects and due to
material desires the objects are embedded in the mind. The separation between the mind and the objects
of the senses cannot be made simply by renunciation of the objects. It is only possible by total immersion in
activities of mat-parah (under Krishna’s protection), which is explained in the following verse:
cetasā sarva-karmāṇi / mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ
buddhi-yogam upāśritya / mac-cittaḥ satataṁ bhava
In all activities just depend upon Me and work always under My protection. In such devotional service, be fully
conscious of Me. (Bg 18.57)
Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada emphasizes this point:
When one acts in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he does not act as the master of the world. Just like a servant, one
should act fully under the direction of the Supreme Lord. A servant has no individual independence. He acts
only on the order of the master. A servant acting on behalf of the supreme master is unaffected by profit and
loss. He simply discharges his duty faithfully in terms of the order of the Lord. Now, one may argue that Arjuna
was acting under the personal direction of Kṛṣṇa but when Kṛṣṇa is not present how should one act? If one acts
according to the direction of Kṛṣṇa in this book, as well as under the guidance of the representative of Kṛṣṇa,
then the result will be the same. The Sanskrit word mat-paraḥ is very important in this verse. It indicates that
one has no goal in life save and except acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness just to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. And while working in
that way, one should think of Kṛṣṇa only: “I have been appointed to discharge this particular duty by Kṛṣṇa.”
While acting in such a way, one naturally has to think of Kṛṣṇa. This is perfect Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One
should, however, note that after doing something whimsically he should not offer the result to the Supreme
Lord. That sort of duty is not in the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. One should act according to the
order of Kṛṣṇa. This is a very important point. That order of Kṛṣṇa comes through disciplic succession from the
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