Srimad Bhagavatam — Ekadasha Skandha, Shloka 34
Yoga-siddhi — The Mystic Perfections and Their Origin in Meditation on the Lord
जन्मौषधितपोमन्त्रैर्यावतीरिह सिद्धय: । योगेनाप्नोति ता: सर्वा नान्यैर्योगगतिं व्रजेत् ॥ ३४ ॥
janmauṣadhi-tapo-mantrair yāvatīr iha siddhayaḥ yogenāpnoti tāḥ sarvā nānyair yoga-gatiṁ vrajet
जन्मौषधितपोमन्त्रैः यावतीः इह सिद्धयः, योगेन (मद्भक्तियोगेन) ताः सर्वाः आप्नोति; अन्यैः उपायैः योगगतिं न व्रजेत्।
By taking birth as a demigod one is automatically endowed with many mystic perfections. Simply by birth on Siddhaloka one automatically acquires all of the eight principal perfections of yoga. Similarly, by birth as a fish one becomes invulnerable to water, by birth as a bird one gets the mystic perfection of flying, and by birth as a ghost one gets the mystic perfection of disappearing and entering into the bodies of others. Patañjali Muni states that the mystic perfections of yoga can be achieved by birth, herbs, austerities and mantras. The Lord states, however, that such perfections are ultimately a waste of time and an impediment to achieving the actual perfection of yoga, Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
FAQs
This verse says that siddhis can arise through various means—birth, herbs, austerities, and mantras—but yoga can encompass and grant all such perfections.
In the Uddhava Gītā, Kṛṣṇa explains yoga and its perfections while clarifying that external methods may yield powers, but they do not lead one to yoga’s ultimate spiritual destination.
Do not chase quick spiritual “results” or power; prioritize steady inner discipline and God-centered practice so that progress leads to genuine transformation rather than mere abilities.