Shloka 30
यदा न योगोपचितासु चेतो मायासु सिद्धस्य विषज्जतेऽङ्ग । अनन्यहेतुष्वथ मे गति: स्याद् आत्यन्तिकी यत्र न मृत्युहास: ॥ ३० ॥
yadā na yogopacitāsu ceto māyāsu siddhasya viṣajjate ’ṅga ananya-hetuṣv atha me gatiḥ syād ātyantikī yatra na mṛtyu-hāsaḥ
When the perfected yogī’s mind is no longer entangled in the by-products of mystic powers, which arise from the external māyā, his advance toward Me becomes limitless, and the force of death cannot conquer him.
Yogīs are generally attracted to the by-products of mystic yogic power, for they can become smaller than the smallest or greater than the greatest, achieve anything they desire, have power even to create a planet, or bring anyone they like under their subjection. Yogīs who have incomplete information of the result of devotional service are attracted by these powers, but these powers are material; they have nothing to do with spiritual progress. As other material powers are created by the material energy, mystic yogic powers are also material. A perfect yogī’s mind is not attracted by any material power, but is simply attracted by unalloyed service to the Supreme Lord. For a devotee, the process of merging into the Brahman effulgence is considered to be hellish, and yogic power or the preliminary perfection of yogic power, to be able to control the senses, is automatically achieved. As for elevation to higher planets, a devotee considers this to be simply hallucinatory. A devotee’s attention is concentrated only upon the eternal loving service of the Lord, and therefore the power of death has no influence over him. In such a devotional state, a perfect yogī can attain the status of immortal knowledge and bliss.
FAQs
This verse warns that even a perfected yogī can become entangled in māyā through yogic accomplishments; freedom comes when the mind no longer clings to such siddhi-born illusions.
Kapila is guiding Devahūti toward pure devotion and final liberation, emphasizing that siddhis are distractions unless one remains exclusively fixed on the Lord.
Treat spiritual “success,” recognition, or extraordinary experiences as secondary; stay focused on sincere devotion and inner detachment so the mind doesn’t get trapped by subtle pride or fascination.