Shloka 22
The Lord in the Heart and the Discipline of Yoga-Bhakti
यदि प्रयास्यन् नृप पारमेष्ठ्यं वैहायसानामुत यद् विहारम् । अष्टाधिपत्यं गुणसन्निवाये सहैव गच्छेन्मनसेन्द्रियैश्च ॥ २२ ॥
yadi prayāsyan nṛpa pārameṣṭhyaṁ vaihāyasānām uta yad vihāram aṣṭādhipatyaṁ guṇa-sannivāye sahaiva gacchen manasendriyaiś ca
Namun, wahai Raja, jika seorang yogī masih menyimpan hasrat kenikmatan kebendaan yang lebih tinggi—seperti berpindah ke Brahmaloka, mengembara di angkasa bersama Vaihāyasa, memperoleh lapan kesempurnaan, atau kedudukan di antara jutaan planet—maka dia mesti membawa bersama minda dan deria yang dibentuk oleh guṇa.
In the upper status of the planetary systems there are facilities thousands and thousands of times greater for material enjoyments than in the lower planetary systems. The topmost planetary systems consist of planets like Brahmaloka and Dhruvaloka (the polestar), and all of them are situated beyond Maharloka. The inhabitants of those planets are empowered with eightfold achievements of mystic perfection. They do not have to learn and practice the mystic processes of yoga perfection and achieve the power of becoming small like a particle ( aṇimā-siddhi ), or lighter than a soft feather ( laghimā-siddhi ). They do not have to get anything and everything from anywhere and everywhere ( prāpti-siddhi ), to become heavier than the heaviest ( mahimā-siddhi ), to act freely even to create something wonderful or to annihilate anything at will ( īśitva-siddhi ), to control all material elements ( vaśitva-siddhi ), to possess such power as will never be frustrated in any desire ( prākāmya-siddhi ), or to assume any shape or form one may even whimsically desire ( kāmāvasāyitā-siddhi ). All these expediencies are as common as natural gifts for the inhabitants of those higher planets. They do not require any mechanical help to travel in outer space, and they can move and travel at will from one planet to any other planet within no time. The inhabitants of the earth cannot move even to the nearest planet except by mechanical vehicles like spacecraft, but the highly talented inhabitants of such higher planets can do everything very easily.
FAQs
This verse notes that the eight mystic perfections belong to the realm of the material modes, and one who seeks such attainments must properly direct the mind and senses—implying disciplined spiritual practice rather than mere worldly ambition.
While instructing Parīkṣit on the Lord’s position in the heart and the path of realization, Śukadeva contrasts various high material goals (Brahmā’s post, heavenly roaming, siddhis) with the necessity of inner discipline and spiritual direction.
Treat ambitions—status, experiences, powers—as secondary, and train the mind and senses through daily sādhana (hearing sacred texts, chanting, regulated habits) so they move toward spiritual purpose rather than distraction.