Srimad Bhagavatam — Tritiya Skandha, Shloka 34
Kapila Describes Bhakti-Saturated Aṣṭāṅga-Yoga and Meditation on the Lord’s Form
एवं हरौ भगवति प्रतिलब्धभावो भक्त्या द्रवद्धृदय उत्पुलक: प्रमोदात् । औत्कण्ठ्यबाष्पकलया मुहुरर्द्यमानस् तच्चापि चित्तबडिशं शनकैर्वियुङ्क्ते ॥ ३४ ॥
evaṁ harau bhagavati pratilabdha-bhāvo bhaktyā dravad-dhṛdaya utpulakaḥ pramodāt autkaṇṭhya-bāṣpa-kalayā muhur ardyamānas tac cāpi citta-baḍiśaṁ śanakair viyuṅkte
循此而行，瑜伽行者渐得对至上人格神哈利的清净之爱；其心因奉爱而融化，欢喜至极而毛发竖立，又屡屡被渴慕之泪流所浸。渐渐地，连那曾如钩饵般用以牵引主的心识，也从一切物质活动中缓缓撤回。
Here it is clearly mentioned that meditation, which is an action of the mind, is not the perfect stage of samādhi, or absorption. In the beginning the mind is employed in attracting the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but in the higher stages there is no question of using the mind. A devotee becomes accustomed to serving the Supreme Lord by purification of his senses. In other words, the yoga principles of meditation are required as long as one is not situated in pure devotional service. The mind is used to purify the senses, but when the senses are purified by meditation, there is no need to sit in a particular place and try to meditate upon the form of the Lord. One becomes so habituated that he automatically engages in the personal service of the Lord. When the mind forcibly is engaged upon the form of the Lord, this is called nirbīja-yoga, or lifeless yoga, for the yogī does not automatically engage in the personal service of the Lord. But when he is constantly thinking of the Lord, that is called sabīja-yoga, or living yoga. One has to be promoted to the platform of living yoga.
FAQs
This verse describes bhakti making the heart melt, causing hairs to stand on end, and bringing repeated tears born of intense longing for Lord Hari—classic devotional ecstasies arising from awakened bhāva.
Kapila teaches that true meditation on Bhagavān is not dry concentration; when devotion matures, the mind naturally becomes absorbed in Hari and the body-mind display spontaneous devotional transformations.
Practice steady remembrance of Hari through nāma-japa, śravaṇa (hearing), and kīrtana; as attachment to the Lord grows, let emotions purify the heart while gradually reducing distractions and mental restlessness.