Live Caitanya Caritamrta · CC Madhya 24.213
Stages of Worship Within the Body
“ ‘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
- This quotation from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam describes yogīs who begin worshiping Brahman in the abdomen. Called śārkarākṣa, they 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 Paramātmā, described as subtle Brahman.
- The verse praises as better those mystic yogīs who worship unlimited 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
Write a brief outline of the stages described: abdomen, heart, and top of the head, noting the stated final result.
Ask yourself
How does the verse distinguish bodily conceptions from the perfection of worship?
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.