Shloka 15
Ṛṣabhadeva’s Indifference to Siddhis, Vigilance Toward the Mind, and the Kali-yuga Rise of Anti-Vedic धर्म
को न्वस्य काष्ठामपरोऽनुगच्छे- न्मनोरथेनाप्यभवस्य योगी । यो योगमाया: स्पृहयत्युदस्ता ह्यसत्तया येन कृतप्रयत्ना: ॥ १५ ॥
ko nv asya kāṣṭhām aparo ’nugacchen mano-rathenāpy abhavasya yogī yo yoga-māyāḥ spṛhayaty udastā hy asattayā yena kṛta-prayatnāḥ
“What mystic yogī could follow Lord Ṛṣabhadeva’s supreme example even in the mind? He cast aside all yogic perfections that other yogīs yearn for—who, then, can be compared with Him?”
Generally yogīs desire the yogic perfections of aṇimā, laghimā, mahimā, prākāmya, prāpti, īśitva, vaśitva and kāmāvasāyitā. Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, however, never aspired for all these material things. Such siddhis (perfections) are presented by the illusory energy of the Lord. The real purpose of the yoga system is to achieve the favor and shelter of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but this purpose is covered by the illusory energy of yoga-māyā. So-called yogīs are therefore allured by the superficial material perfections of aṇimā, laghimā, prāpti and so forth. Consequently ordinary yogīs cannot compare to Lord Ṛṣabhadeva, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
FAQs
This verse says no one can reach the Lord’s ultimate position even by imagination; efforts based on material unreality cannot grasp the unborn, transcendental Supreme.
In describing Lord Ṛṣabhadeva’s transcendental conduct, Śukadeva highlights that the Lord is beyond worldly standards—His own divine potency (Yogamāyā) operates under Him, not under material logic.
Rely less on mere intellectualizing about spirituality and more on sincere devotion and disciplined practice aimed at the eternal, not the temporary.