View source for Yoga Means Restoring the Lost Relationship with God

The real meaning of ''yoga'' is revealed when the living being understands the need to reconnect with the Supreme Lord. In these teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that ''yoga'' is not a physical display but the process by which the forgotten relationship with Kṛṣṇa is restored. When the soul becomes linked again with God through devotion, the purpose of all genuine ''yoga'' practice is fulfilled.

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=== Yoga Means Linking with the Supreme Lord ===
The repeated definition of ''yoga'' in this category is connection.
The living being is not independent of the Supreme Lord, yet material life covers the natural relationship between the individual soul and God.
By explaining ''yoga'' as linking, adding, or reconnecting, Śrīla Prabhupāda shows that the real purpose of the process is to restore the soul to conscious relationship with Kṛṣṇa.

* [[Vaniquotes:Another meaning of the word yoga is "plus." At the present moment we are minus God, or minus the Supreme. When we add Krsna - or God - to our lives, this human form of life becomes perfect|Another meaning of the word yoga is "plus." At the present moment we are minus God, or minus the Supreme. When we add Krsna - or God - to our lives, this human form of life becomes perfect.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:At the present moment we are in subtraction - God minus myself. I have no sense of God; therefore I am in minus condition. So yoga means God plus I. That is the real meaning of yoga. So long I was God-minus, now God-plus|At the present moment we are in subtraction - God minus myself. I have no sense of God; therefore I am in minus condition. So yoga means God plus I. That is the real meaning of yoga. So long I was God-minus, now God-plus.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Either any yoga system, any spiritual life is called yoga. Yoga means to link. We are part and parcel of the supreme absolute, Brahman or Bhagavan, whatever you call, Paramatma, it doesn't matter. But yoga means linking|Either any yoga system, any spiritual life is called yoga. Yoga means to link. We are part and parcel of the supreme absolute, Brahman or Bhagavan, whatever you call, Paramatma, it doesn't matter. But yoga means linking.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The word yoga means "link." Any system of yoga is an attempt to reconnect our broken relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead|The word yoga means "link." Any system of yoga is an attempt to reconnect our broken relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We have forgotten our relationship. And yoga means to connect, to reconnect that relationship again. That is called yoga|We have forgotten our relationship. And yoga means to connect, to reconnect that relationship again. That is called yoga.]]

=== The Lost Relationship Is Restored Through Kṛṣṇa Consciousness ===
The living being's material condition is marked by forgetfulness of the eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
Real ''yoga'' therefore does not merely improve the body or calm the mind; it restores God consciousness.
In this connection, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents Kṛṣṇa consciousness as the practical fulfillment of the soul's need to reconnect with the Supreme.

* [[Vaniquotes:Our real purpose of life is to become yogi. Yogi means to reestablish our connection, our lost connection, with God. At the present moment, in our material condition, we have forgotten our relationship, our eternal relationship with Krsna|Our real purpose of life is to become yogi. Yogi means to reestablish our connection, our lost connection, with God. At the present moment, in our material condition, we have forgotten our relationship, our eternal relationship with Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Real yoga means to connect your relationship, your identity, with Krsna. That is called yoga|Real yoga means to connect your relationship, your identity, with Krsna. That is called yoga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Yoga actually means to make your connection with the Supreme Lord. Yoga means "addition," "connect." The opposite word is viyoga. Just like addition and subtraction|Yoga actually means to make your connection with the Supreme Lord. Yoga means "addition," "connect." The opposite word is viyoga. Just like addition and subtraction.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Yoga means God conscious, or Krsna conscious. Everything, anything, any attempt, which we perform, which we do for spiritual realization is called yoga|Yoga means God conscious, or Krsna conscious. Everything, anything, any attempt, which we perform, which we do for spiritual realization is called yoga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Viyoga means when we are detached from God, and yoga means when we are attached to God. This is the two different words. So here it is recommended, yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. It is another practice of yoga, the topmost yoga|Viyoga means when we are detached from God, and yoga means when we are attached to God. This is the two different words. So here it is recommended, yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. It is another practice of yoga, the topmost yoga.]]

=== Complete Yoga Means Bhakti Yoga ===
Different systems of ''yoga'' may be described in scripture, but their completion is not separate from devotion.
When ''karma'', ''jñāna'', ''dhyāna'', and other disciplines reach their proper conclusion, they lead to surrender and loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
For this reason, Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies complete ''yoga'' with ''bhakti-yoga'', the direct process of linking with Kṛṣṇa.

* [[Vaniquotes:Besides bhakti-yoga, the Bhagavad-gita also describes karma-yoga, jnana-yoga and dhyana-yoga. Yoga means linking with the Supreme Lord, which is possible only through devotion|Besides bhakti-yoga, the Bhagavad-gita also describes karma-yoga, jnana-yoga and dhyana-yoga. Yoga means linking with the Supreme Lord, which is possible only through devotion.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Complete practice of yoga means bhakti-yoga; unless one comes to the point of bhakti-yoga, or surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one's yoga practice is not complete. This same point is corroborated in the Srimad Bhagavad-gita|Complete practice of yoga means bhakti-yoga; unless one comes to the point of bhakti-yoga, or surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one's yoga practice is not complete. This same point is corroborated in the Srimad Bhagavad-gita.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Everything is mixed up with little bhakti, but... Just like karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga, there are different. But the real yoga means loving Vasudeva, Bhagavan|Everything is mixed up with little bhakti, but... Just like karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga, there are different. But the real yoga means loving Vasudeva, Bhagavan.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The devotee tries to come directly in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas the yogi tries to find the Supersoul within the heart by meditation. Thus, both directly and indirectly, yoga means bhakti-yoga|The devotee tries to come directly in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whereas the yogi tries to find the Supersoul within the heart by meditation. Thus, both directly and indirectly, yoga means bhakti-yoga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When you add this word yoga, that means bhakti. Yoga means bhakti|When you add this word yoga, that means bhakti. Yoga means bhakti.]]

=== Yoga Means Meditation on Viṣṇu and Kṛṣṇa ===
The genuine object of ''yoga'' meditation is not emptiness, bodily comfort, or impersonal imagination.
In the authorized understanding, the mind is brought under control and absorbed in Viṣṇu, Kṛṣṇa, or the Supersoul within the heart.
Through this explanation, Śrīla Prabhupāda shows that the inner meaning of ''yoga'' is personal meditation on the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:Actually, yoga means meditation on the form of Lord Visnu. If the yoga practice is actually performed according to the standard direction, there is no difference between yoga and bhakti-yoga|Actually, yoga means meditation on the form of Lord Visnu. If the yoga practice is actually performed according to the standard direction, there is no difference between yoga and bhakti-yoga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Krsna) is teaching Arjuna bhakti-yoga. Yoga means the means by which you can contact the Supreme. That is called yoga|He (Krsna) is teaching Arjuna bhakti-yoga. Yoga means the means by which you can contact the Supreme. That is called yoga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:So don't be misled by these bluffers' yoga system. Don't be misled. Here is yoga, Krsna, because yoga means to meditate upon the Supreme, dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa, mind fully absorbed, and they see Krsna or Narayana, the same thing|So don't be misled by these bluffers' yoga system. Don't be misled. Here is yoga, Krsna, because yoga means to meditate upon the Supreme, dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa, mind fully absorbed, and they see Krsna or Narayana, the same thing.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Vedas maintain that yoga means meditation on Visnu, and this is also maintained in Bhagavad-gita|The Vedas maintain that yoga means meditation on Visnu, and this is also maintained in Bhagavad-gita.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The yoga system is especially difficult for this age. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam we understand that yoga means to concentrate one's attention on the Superself, Visnu. He is situated in your heart|The yoga system is especially difficult for this age. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam we understand that yoga means to concentrate one's attention on the Superself, Visnu. He is situated in your heart.]]

=== Yoga Requires Sense Control and Rejects Mere Show ===
Because ''yoga'' means reconnecting with the Supreme, it cannot be reduced to outward performance.
Uncontrolled habits, intoxication, sense indulgence, or public display contradict the very principle of ''yoga''.
In these strong instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda separates true sense control from bogus systems that present bodily movement or material enjoyment as spiritual practice.

* [[Vaniquotes:Processes which generally the yogis demonstrate, that is the process of controlling the mind. The authorities of yoga practice, they say the yoga practice means to control the senses|Processes which generally the yogis demonstrate, that is the process of controlling the mind. The authorities of yoga practice, they say the yoga practice means to control the senses.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Rules and regulations must be followed very strictly. Simply to make a show of gymnastics is not perfection of yoga. Yoga means control of the senses. If you indulge your senses unrestrictedly but make a show of yoga practice, you will never be successful|Rules and regulations must be followed very strictly. Simply to make a show of gymnastics is not perfection of yoga. Yoga means control of the senses. If you indulge your senses unrestrictedly but make a show of yoga practice, you will never be successful.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:That is not yoga practice, smoking ganja, bidi, intoxication, tea, and he has become a yogi. These are useless, all bogus. Yoga means he has controlled his senses. Yoga indriya-samyamah|That is not yoga practice, smoking ganja, bidi, intoxication, tea, and he has become a yogi. These are useless, all bogus. Yoga means he has controlled his senses. Yoga indriya-samyamah.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Those who are too much bodily attached, for them this yoga system is controlling the senses, yoga indriya samyamah. Yoga does not mean to increase the power of sense gratification. Yoga means controlling the senses|Those who are too much bodily attached, for them this yoga system is controlling the senses, yoga indriya samyamah. Yoga does not mean to increase the power of sense gratification. Yoga means controlling the senses.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This is human civilization, not that so many so-called sadhus and... They are now preaching openly the yoga by sex. Yoga by sex. They have invented. Yoga means to find out the Supreme Lord within one's self, within the core of the heart. That is real yoga|This is human civilization, not that so many so-called sadhus and... They are now preaching openly the yoga by sex. Yoga by sex. They have invented. Yoga means to find out the Supreme Lord within one's self, within the core of the heart. That is real yoga.]]

=== Yoga Leads Beyond Material Embodiment ===
The purpose of ''yoga'' also includes freedom from the bodily conception of life.
As long as the soul remains absorbed in material happiness and distress, the original relationship with God remains covered.
By connecting with Kṛṣṇa through the supreme ''yoga'', the living being can transcend material embodiment and move toward the real destination of life.

* [[Vaniquotes:The Bhagavad-gita says that just as our outer garments are changed, so this body is changed. Yoga means the process of getting out of this material embodiment|The Bhagavad-gita says that just as our outer garments are changed, so this body is changed. Yoga means the process of getting out of this material embodiment.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Yoga means to get out of this bhoga and roga and go back to home, back to Godhead. That is called yoga|Yoga means to get out of this bhoga and roga and go back to home, back to Godhead. That is called yoga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Yoga means to get out of this embodiment, and it means to know oneself. This body is born of the parents. Similarly, as pure soul, you are also the source of its birth|Yoga means to get out of this embodiment, and it means to know oneself. This body is born of the parents. Similarly, as pure soul, you are also the source of its birth.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Yoga means to inquire. What am I? If I am not this body, then what am I? I am pure soul|Yoga means to inquire. What am I? If I am not this body, then what am I? I am pure soul.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Yoga means transcending the distress or happiness of the material body. If we connect ourselves with Krsna through the supreme yoga, we can get rid of material happiness and distress arising from the body|Yoga means transcending the distress or happiness of the material body. If we connect ourselves with Krsna through the supreme yoga, we can get rid of material happiness and distress arising from the body.]]

=== Conclusion ===
The category shows that ''yoga'' means far more than bodily posture, breathing, or public display. By repeatedly defining ''yoga'' as linking with the Supreme Lord, Śrīla Prabhupāda restores the word to its essential spiritual meaning: the soul's lost relationship with God must be revived. When the living being reconnects with Kṛṣṇa through ''bhakti-yoga'', the true purpose of all ''yoga'' systems is fulfilled.

=== 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:Yoga_Means...|Yoga Means...]]. 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]])

[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Understanding Yoga]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - The Science of Knowing God‎]]

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