View source for Achieving Mystic Powers Versus Pure Devotional Service

In the realm of spiritual realization, Śrīla Prabhupāda draws a sharp distinction between the mechanical accumulation of mystic powers and the transcendental safety of pure devotional service. While many transcendentalists aspire for the eightfold ''yoga-siddhis'', or mystic perfections, these achievements are ultimately material and often distract the practitioner from the supreme goal of life. This article explores the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda regarding the limitations of such powers compared to the supreme perfection of remembering the Personality of Godhead.

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=== Process and Nature of Mystic Yoga ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the acquisition of mystic powers is a rigorous mechanical process involving ''haṭha-yoga'', or in some cases, specific birth in higher planetary systems. While these powers—such as the ability to become smaller than an atom or lighter than a feather—are considered great achievements by materialists, they are merely manipulations of material laws and do not constitute spiritual liberation.

* [[Vaniquotes:To attain such (mystic) perfection, one must undergo a certain process - hatha-yoga - and through this yoga system the practitioner achieves some uncommon mystic power|To attain such (mystic) perfection, one must undergo a certain process - hatha-yoga - and through this yoga system the practitioner achieves some uncommon mystic power.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The topmost planetary systems consist of planets like Brahmaloka and Dhruvaloka (the polestar), and all of them are situated beyond Maharloka. The inhabitants of those planets are empowered with eightfold achievements of mystic perfection|The topmost planetary systems consist of planets like Brahmaloka and Dhruvaloka (the polestar), and all of them are situated beyond Maharloka. The inhabitants of those planets are empowered with eightfold achievements of mystic perfection.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:They (the inhabitants of the topmost planetary systems) do not have to learn and practice the mystic processes of yoga perfection and achieve the power of becoming small like a particle -anima-siddhi-, or lighter than a soft feather -laghima-siddhi|They (the inhabitants of the topmost planetary systems) do not have to learn and practice the mystic processes of yoga perfection and achieve the power of becoming small like a particle -anima-siddhi-, or lighter than a soft feather -laghima-siddhi.]]

=== Limitations and Pitfalls of Mystic Powers ===

It is emphasized by Śrīla Prabhupāda that possessing mystic power is not a qualification of spiritual advancement, as even demons can exhibit such abilities to harm others. Furthermore, the pursuit of these powers often leaves the ''yogī'' restless and devoid of peace, whereas true success in ''yoga'' lies in realizing one's constitutional position, not in displaying wonderful feats.

* [[Vaniquotes:Even those trying for liberation, or merging into the Brahman effulgence, and the yogis who try to achieve perfection in mystic power cannot have peace of mind|Even those trying for liberation, or merging into the Brahman effulgence, and the yogis who try to achieve perfection in mystic power cannot have peace of mind.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Aghasura, thus deciding to kill all the inhabitants of Vrndavana, expanded himself by the yogic siddhi called mahima. The demons are generally expert in achieving almost all kinds of mystic powers|Aghasura, thus deciding to kill all the inhabitants of Vrndavana, expanded himself by the yogic siddhi called mahima. The demons are generally expert in achieving almost all kinds of mystic powers.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Success in yoga is not acquisition of mystic power, which is condemned in the previous chapter, but, rather, freedom from all material designations and situation in one's constitutional position. That is the ultimate achievement in yoga practice|Success in yoga is not acquisition of mystic power, which is condemned in the previous chapter, but, rather, freedom from all material designations and situation in one's constitutional position. That is the ultimate achievement in yoga practice.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The ordinary powers achieved by mystic yoga, austerities and other processes are sometimes vanquished, but the powers obtained by the mercy of the Lord are never vanquished. Hiranyakasipu, therefore, wanted a benediction that would never be vanquished|The ordinary powers achieved by mystic yoga, austerities and other processes are sometimes vanquished, but the powers obtained by the mercy of the Lord are never vanquished. Hiranyakasipu, therefore, wanted a benediction that would never be vanquished.]]

=== Superiority of Pure Devotion ===

The unique position of a devotee is that they require no separate endeavor for mystic perfections; if required for service, these powers come automatically through the grace of the Lord. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the highest perfection is not the power itself, but the unalloyed remembrance of Kṛṣṇa at the end of life, which surpasses all material and mystic achievements.

* [[Vaniquotes:A devotee does not need to practice the mystic yoga system to achieve power|A devotee does not need to practice the mystic yoga system to achieve power.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Parents and other relatives of the Lord achieve all mystic opulences automatically because of their intimate relationship with the Lord. Such opulences include all details of material enjoyment, salvation and mystic powers|Parents and other relatives of the Lord achieve all mystic opulences automatically because of their intimate relationship with the Lord. Such opulences include all details of material enjoyment, salvation and mystic powers.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter & spirit, by acquirement of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of one's occupational duty, is to remember the Personality of Godhead at the end of life|The highest perfection of human life, achieved either by complete knowledge of matter & spirit, by acquirement of mystic powers, or by perfect discharge of one's occupational duty, is to remember the Personality of Godhead at the end of life.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Ultimately, Śrīla Prabhupāda guides us to understand that while mystic powers are a reality within the material atmosphere, they are not the goal of human life. Whether one achieves them through severe austerities or is born with them in higher planetary systems, they do not guarantee freedom from birth and death. The devotee, therefore, bypasses the desire for such temporary exhibitions and focuses solely on the eternal service of the Lord. As the instructions conclude, the true test of perfection is not what wonderful things one can do, but whether one can remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead at the time of death.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Achieving_Mystic_Powers|Achieving Mystic Powers]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

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[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Achieving Perfection through Bhakti]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - The Science of Devotional Service‎]]

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