Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 24.166
Stages of Yogic Worship and Perfection
“ ‘Those who follow the path of great, saintly mystic yogīs take to the yogic gymnastic process and begin worshiping from the abdomen, where it is said that Brahman is located. Such people are called śārkarākṣa, which means that they are situated in the gross bodily conception. There are also followers of the ṛṣi known as Āruṇa. Following his path, they observe the activities of the arteries. Thus they gradually rise to the heart, where subtle Brahman, Paramātmā, is situated. They then worship Him. O unlimited Ananta! Better than these persons are the mystic yogīs who worship You from the top of their heads. Beginning with the abdomen and proceeding through the heart, they reach the top of the head and pass through the brahma-randhra, the hole at the top of the skull. Thus these yogīs attain the perfectional platform and do not enter the cycle of birth and death again.’
What the purport teaches
- Some followers of saintly mystic yogīs begin worshiping from the abdomen, where Brahman is said to be located. They are called śārkarākṣa and are situated in the gross bodily conception.
- Followers of Āruṇa observe the activities of the arteries and gradually rise to the heart. There they worship subtle Brahman, Paramātmā.
- The verse describes as better the yogīs who worship Ananta from the top of the head. Passing through the brahma-randhra, they attain perfection and do not return to the cycle of birth and death.
Try this today
Make a brief study outline of the progression described: abdomen, heart, and top of the head.
Ask yourself
How does this account distinguish the stages of yogic worship and their culmination?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport; the practice and question are plain words for trying the verse today.