Shloka 23
The Lord in the Heart and the Discipline of Yoga-Bhakti
योगेश्वराणां गतिमाहुरन्त- र्बहिस्त्रिलोक्या: पवनान्तरात्मनाम् । न कर्मभिस्तां गतिमाप्नुवन्ति विद्यातपोयोगसमाधिभाजाम् ॥ २३ ॥
yogeśvarāṇāṁ gatim āhur antar- bahis-tri-lokyāḥ pavanāntar-ātmanām na karmabhis tāṁ gatim āpnuvanti vidyā-tapo-yoga-samādhi-bhājām
योगेश्वराणां गतिमाहुरन्तर्बहिस्त्रिलोक्याः पवनान्तरात्मनाम्। न कर्मभिस्तां गतिमाप्नुवन्ति विद्यातपोयोगसमाधिभाजाम्॥
The materialistic scientist’s endeavor to reach other planets by mechanical vehicles is only a futile attempt. One can, however, reach heavenly planets by virtuous activities, but one can never expect to go beyond Svarga or Janaloka by such mechanical or materialistic activities, either gross or subtle. The transcendentalists who have nothing to do with the gross material body can move anywhere within or beyond the material worlds. Within the material worlds they move in the planetary systems of the Mahar-, Janas-, Tapas- and Satya-loka, and beyond the material worlds they can move in the Vaikuṇṭhas as unrestricted spacemen. Nārada Muni is one of the examples of such spacemen, and Durvāsā Muni is one of such mystics. By the strength of devotional service, austerities, mystic powers and transcendental knowledge, everyone can move like Nārada Muni or Durvāsā Muni. It is said that Durvāsā Muni traveled throughout the entirety of material space and part of spiritual space within one year only. The speed of the transcendentalists can never be attained by the gross or subtle materialists.
FAQs
This verse says that extraordinary yogic attainments arise from realization through knowledge, austerity, yoga, and samādhi—not from mere ritual or fruitive action (karma) alone.
In explaining the Lord in the heart (Paramātmā) and the process of inner realization, Śukadeva highlights that true attainment comes from deep spiritual absorption, not external ritualism.
Prioritize inner practice—study with sincerity (vidyā), disciplined living (tapas), steady meditation (yoga), and focused attention (samādhi)—rather than relying only on outward religiosity.