Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 1
Kapila Describes Bhakti-Saturated Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga and Meditation on the Lord’s Form
श्रीभगवानुवाच योगस्य लक्षणं वक्ष्ये सबीजस्य नृपात्मजे । मनो येनैव विधिना प्रसन्नं याति सत्पथम् ॥ १ ॥
śrī-bhagavān uvāca yogasya lakṣaṇaṁ vakṣye sabījasya nṛpātmaje mano yenaiva vidhinā prasannaṁ yāti sat-patham
Le Seigneur Suprême dit : Ô fille du roi, je vais maintenant t’exposer les signes du yoga « avec semence » (sabīja), par la méthode duquel le mental devient paisible et joyeux, et progresse sur la voie de la Vérité absolue.
The yoga process explained by Lord Kapiladeva in this chapter is authorized and standard, and therefore these instructions should be followed very carefully. To begin, the Lord says that by yoga practice one can make progress towards understanding the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the previous chapter it has been clearly stated that the desired result of yoga is not to achieve some wonderful mystic power. One should not be at all attracted by such mystic power, but should attain progressive realization on the path of understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is also confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā, which states in the last verse of the Sixth Chapter that the greatest yogī is he who constantly thinks of Kṛṣṇa within himself, or he who is Kṛṣṇa conscious.
FAQs
This verse introduces that the Lord will define yoga’s true characteristics and a method by which the mind becomes peaceful and moves on the right path.
In the Kapila–Devahuti dialogue, Kapila teaches his mother spiritual practice and realization; here he begins explaining a yoga process that pacifies the mind and leads to the true path.
Adopt a steady, methodical spiritual discipline with a clear support (a sacred focus) so the mind becomes serene and naturally aligns with right living and higher purpose.