Concentrating on Kṛṣṇa - Perfection of Yoga
The ultimate goal of all spiritual practices is to fix the mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that while various yoga systems prescribe mechanical controls for the body and mind, the perfection of yoga is achieved only when one concentrates fully on Kṛṣṇa. This article explores why concentrating on Kṛṣṇa is considered the topmost yoga system, the practical methods to achieve this focus, and the examples of those who attained perfection through such absorption.
Topmost Yoga System
In the Bhagavad-gītā, Lord Kṛṣṇa declares that of all yogīs, the one who worships Him with faith and devotion is the highest. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that real meditation means concentrating on the Śyāmasundara form of Kṛṣṇa—the beautiful, two-handed form holding a flute. This personal concentration is far superior to meditating on a void or impersonal light.
- In answer to Arjuna's question, Krsna clearly says that he who concentrates upon His personal form and who worships Him with faith and devotion is to be considered most perfect in yoga.
- So-called yoga practices of voidism and impersonalism are not recommended in any standard yoga-sastra. The real yogi is the devotee because his mind is always concentrated on pastimes of Lord Krsna. Therefore Krsna consciousness is the topmost yoga system.
Practical Methods of Concentration
Because the material mind is turbulent and the spiritual form of the Lord is not visible to material eyes, the process of concentration must be facilitated by practical engagement. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights the importance of the Deity form (arcā-vigraha) and intellectual engagement through writing and reading.
- Krsna manifests Himself in this Deity form. The Deity is Krsna Himself. We cannot concentrate Krsna which is not visible. Krsna is not visible to the ordinary eyes.
- If you sit down and write some article on Krsna, that means you have to concentrate on Krsna's activities, and that very process will purify your heart. Therefore we always recommend to our students that you write articles, read our magazine, read our book.
Examples of Perfect Absorption
The scriptures provide vivid examples of souls who achieved perfection by concentrating on Kṛṣṇa. The Great Grandfather Bhīṣmadeva, while lying on a bed of arrows, withdrew his senses from all other subjects and fixed his mind on the four-handed form of Nārāyaṇa (Kṛṣṇa). Similarly, the gopīs of Vṛndāvana were so absorbed in Kṛṣṇa that they attained the highest stage of perfection, even though their concentration appeared to be motivated by social attachment or lust.
- He (Bhismadeva) desired that the Lord stay before him in His four-handed Narayana feature so that he might concentrate upon Him and thus be in trance in that meditation. Then his mind might be sanctified with thinking of the Lord.
- The real point is to concentrate the mind on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Women such as the gopis were attached to Krsna, being captivated by His beauty, and their mental concentration on Krsna was provoked by lust.
Conclusion
Concentrating on Kṛṣṇa is the panacea for the wandering mind. Whether one thinks of Him as the Supreme Lord, the source of Brahman, or even as an ordinary human child (as mother Yaśodā did), the result is purification. By fixing the mind on Kṛṣṇa without deviation, one becomes free from the clutches of material energy and attains the eternal spiritual abode.
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 Concentrating on Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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