The Highest State of Yoga

A concise summary of Srimad Bhagavatam Canto 3 Chapter 25

Lord Kapila preached the Science of Spirit to his mother, Devahuti. The Lord discussed the concepts of Prakriti (energy) and the Purusa (creator) and their interaction for the creation of material realm.

The Lord said the Yoga process that leads to Self-Realization gives ultimately liberation to the suffering soul. It is the state where all the pain and pleasure disappear. However, the highest state of Yoga which is complete in all respects but provides spiritual pleasure is devotion to the Supreme Lord.

The mind is the cause of bondade to the material realm. When it is attached to the Supreme Lord, then the mind becomes freed from the material influence.

When the mind is cleansed of impurities, then the ego gradually disappears and that is the state of self-realization. When the mind continues to develop attachment to the Supreme Lord in devotional service, then it transforms into love.

In order to attain liberation, there is no easier, faster and better process than devotional service to the Super Soul, Vasudeva.

A saint is someone who is tolerant, compassionate and friendly to all beings. They fix their hearts and minds on the Supreme Lord.

The best approach to develop devotion is to hear the stories of the Supreme Lord. When one’s mind is absorbed in these stories, their suffering disappears. One can develop all spiritual knowledge just from those stories. It is important to serve the saints to purify one’s heart.

The combination of knowledge, detachment and devotion, one attains liberation.

The devotion to the Lord is superior to liberation. The devotion digests the material coverings quickly just like the fire in the stomach digests the food.

A person in devotion doesn’t desire to attain the same spiritual stature and appearance as the Supreme Lord. Instead, he desires to serve the Lord eternally in the spiritual realm just like Lord Hanuman engaged in Lord Ram’s service eternally.

The devotees discuss the Supreme Lord amongst each other to keep their minds engaged. The devotees don’t aspire for the heavens or super powers. They just want the Lord's association.

The Lord will ensure that he will always protect his devotees both spiritually and materially. The Lord will make sure that his devotees become free from the influence of material energy and time.

The Lord is the only person who can free one from the cycle of birth and death because he is the controller of Prakriti (energy) and the Super Soul of all beings.

Bhakti Yoga strengthened by knowledge (Jnana) and renunciation (Vairagya) is the highest state of Yoga and reveals the comprehensive nature of Individual Spirit and Supreme Spirit.