Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 19
Kapila Describes Bhakti-Saturated Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga and Meditation on the Lord’s Form
स्थितं व्रजन्तमासीनं शयानं वा गुहाशयम् । प्रेक्षणीयेहितं ध्यायेच्छुद्धभावेन चेतसा ॥ १९ ॥
sthitaṁ vrajantam āsīnaṁ śayānaṁ vā guhāśayam prekṣaṇīyehitaṁ dhyāyec chuddha-bhāvena cetasā
Com a mente em sentimento puro, o iogue medita o Senhor dentro de si, vendo-O em pé, caminhando, sentado ou deitado; pois os passatempos do Senhor Supremo são sempre belos e atraentes.
The process of meditating on the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead within oneself and the process of chanting the glories and pastimes of the Lord are the same. The only difference is that hearing and fixing the mind on the pastimes of the Lord is easier than visualizing the form of the Lord within one’s heart because as soon as one begins to think of the Lord, especially in this age, the mind becomes disturbed, and due to so much agitation, the process of seeing the Lord within the mind is interrupted. When there is sound vibrated praising the transcendental pastimes of the Lord, however, one is forced to hear. That hearing process enters into the mind, and the practice of yoga is automatically performed. For example, even a child can hear and derive the benefit of meditating on the pastimes of the Lord simply by listening to a reading from the Bhāgavatam that describes the Lord as He is going to the pasturing ground with His cows and friends. Hearing includes applying the mind. In this Age of Kali-yuga, Lord Caitanya has recommended that one should always engage in chanting and hearing Bhagavad-gītā. The Lord also says that the mahātmās, or great souls, always engage in the process of chanting the glories of the Lord, and just by hearing, others derive the same benefit. Yoga necessitates meditation on the transcendental pastimes of the Lord, whether He is standing, moving, lying down, etc.
FAQs
This verse teaches that one should contemplate the Lord’s beautiful, worthy-to-be-seen activities in every posture—standing, walking, sitting, lying—using a mind purified by devotion.
Kapila is teaching Devahūti bhakti-yoga: steady, affectionate remembrance of the Supreme Lord—externally in His divine forms and internally as the indwelling Lord in the heart—so the mind becomes fixed and purified.
Throughout the day, consciously remember the Lord during ordinary activities (walking, sitting, resting) and set aside a short daily time to visualize His divine form and reflect on His uplifting deeds with a sincere, purified intention.