Even better than yogi is a devotee who worships Krishna. Topmost yogi is Bhakti-yogi – because...
He has great faith in Krishna
Takes shelter in Him (“Always abides in Me”)
Always thinks of Him (“Always thinks of Me within Himself”)
Renders loving service (“unto Me”)
aImportance of word ‘bhajate’
‘Bhajate’ has its root in the verb ‘bhaj’ which is used when there is a need of service
The word ‘worship’ does not convey the same meaning as ‘bhaj’
bDifference between ‘worship’ and ‘service’
‘Worship’ means to adore, or to show respect and honour to the worthy one
But ‘service’ with love and faith is especially meant for the Supreme Personality of Godhead
c‘Service’ to Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be avoided by a living entity
One can avoid worshiping a respectable man or a demigod and maybe called discourteous
But one cannot avoid serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead without being thoroughly condemned
Because every living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord
One’s constitution is to serve the Supreme Lord
dSupporting verse to differentiate ‘worship’ and ‘service’ — Ref. SB 11.5.3 ‘ya esam purusham...”
By neglect of service and duty unto the Supreme Lord, one falls down from his constitution
In this verse ‘bhajanti’ is only applicable to Supreme Personality of Godhead and
The term ‘worship’ can be applied to any demigod or any living entity
Importance of word ‘avajananti’ – Only fools and rascals deride the Supreme Personality of Godhead and try to comment on Bhagavad-gita without an attitude of service
They cannot properly differentiate between the word ‘bhajanti’ and ‘worship’ FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORT 6.47 continued…
eWhat features of the Lord does the highest or ideal yogi concentrate upon — “On Krishna as Shyamasundara” (Study purport)
fHow to achieve highest yogic perfection as explained in this verse — Achieved by bhakti yoga
Ref. Svetasvatara Upanisad 6.23 “yasya deve...” – “Only by implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.”
gPurpose of ‘naiskarmya’ (Ref. Gopala-tapani Upanisad 1.15)
To practice devotional service, free from desires of material profit, either in this life or next
Devoid of such inclinations, one should absorb one’s mind fully in the Supreme
hConclusion of Yoga Ladder — It all starts from Karma-yoga without fruitive results (Niskama- karma-yoga)
Niskama-karma-yoga + knowledge and renunciation = ‘Jnana-yoga’
Jnana-yoga + meditation = ‘Astanga-yoga’
Astanga-yoga + realisation of Krishna in devotion = ‘Bhakti-yoga’
No Karma, Jnana, Astanga Yoga etc Bhakti-yoga 1 • They are different steps on Yoga ladder • Goal of Yoga is Bhakti-yoga
They are progressions towards the • Therefore Yoga actually means Bhakti yoga destination of Bhakti-yoga 2 • Selfish interests • Selfless
Possess material desires • Free from all material desires 3 • May fail to achieve success • Guaranteed success
They may stick to onepoint and • Definitely makes progress because means and fail to progress and thus they are called by end are same that particular name 4 • When Karma yoga increases in knowledge • When Astanga yoga comes to the point of and renunciation it is called Jnana yoga realizing Krishna, the Supreme Personality of
When Jnana yoga increases in meditation, Godhead, that is Bhakti yoga it is Astanga yoga • Analogy: Krishna Consciousness is the highest rung of Yoga – e.g. Mount Everest is the highest peak of the Himalayas
End of chapter 6
Bhagavad Gita Notes 1 Chapter 6 Appendix CHAPTER 6 Appendix Selected Texts extracted from “Surrender unto Me”