Bhagvata 3

Bhagvata   3

The Lord said—In my opinion the only means to final beatitude is Yoga in the form of contemplation on the Supreme Spirit, which is characterized by absolute cessation of both joy and sorrow. (25.13)

Mind alone is held responsible for the bondage and emancipation of the soul. Attached to the objects of senses, it leads to bondage; when, however, it develops affinity to the Supreme Person, it brings liberation to the soul. (25.15)

When the mind is purged of its impurities in the form of lust, greed etc.—which have their root in the senses of I-ness and mine-ness—and becomes pure, it grows indifferent to pleasure and pain and gets equipoised. (25.16)

Motiveless devotion to the Lord may be defined as the natural inclination—towards the Lord, who is embodiment of Sattva(goodness)—of the senses of man of undivided mind, which are the only means of perceiving the objects, as well as of his organs of action, which are engaged in activities enjoined by the Vedas. Devotion is superior to final beatitude itself in that it speedily dissolves the subtle body even as the gastric fire digests the food that is devoured. (25.32-33)

They who depend on Me, nay, to whom I am the only object of love, nay, the very self, the son, the friend, the preceptor, the kith and kin and the chosen deity, are never deprived of these enjoyments in Vaikuntha ( which consists of pure Sattva)nor does My weapon in the shape of Time ever devour them. (25.38)

A mind fixed on Me through the intense practice of Devotion and steadied thereby—that is the only means for men in this world to attain final beatitude. (25.44)

If the mind of accomplished Yogi, does not get attached to the (eight kinds of) superhuman powers (such as the faculty of reducing one’s body to the size of an atom and so on, which are products of maya), developed through Yoga, which is the only means of acquiring them, he ia sure to attain My immortal state, where death has no power. (27.30)

The discipline of divotion, is recognized as manifold according to our ways of approach (attitude of mind with regard) to it; and men’s attitude of mind varies according to the diversity of their characteristics. (29.7)

A man who is given up to anger and views Me as distinct from himself, and who practices devotion to Me with a mind full of violence, hypocrisy and jealously, is a dovotee of the Tamasika type. (29.8)

He who worships Me through an image etc., as distinct from himself with a view to acquiring objects of senses, fame and power is a devotee of the Rajasika type. (29.9)

And he who adores Me as distinct from himself, aiming at the eradication of his sins or with the intention of offering his actions to the Supreme or again with the feeling that it is his duty to worship Me is a devotee of the Sattvika type (29.10)

The uninterrupted flow of the mind-stream towards Me, dwelling in the heart of all—like that of the waters of the ganga towards the ocean—at the mere mention of My virtues, combined with motiveless and unremitting love to Me, the Supreme Person, is spoken of as the distinguishing character of unqualified Bhaktiyoga(29.11-12)

My devotees accept not, in exchange for My service(five forms of final beatitude, viz Salokya, residence in My divine realm, Sartri, enjoying My powers, Samipya, living in My presence, Sarupya, possessing a form similar to Mine and Sayujya, absorption into My Being, even when they are offered to him (by Me). (29.13)

This Bhaktiyoga has been declared as the highest (final) goal; for transcending the realm of the three Gunas (modes of Prakruti ) the devotee thereby becomes qualified for My state (without any effort) (29.14)

I am present in all living beings as their very Self (Inner Controller). A man (therefore) who worships Me through an idol, showing disrespect to Me (as abiding in all creatures) makes a travesty of worship. (29.21)

Ignoring Me, the Supreme Ruler, the Self present in all living beings, he who stupidly resorts to idol-worship alone throws oblations into the ashes. (29.22)

The mind of a man who, full of pride, hates Me, abiding in the body of another, views Me as distinct from himself and bears deep-rooted malice to living creatures can never find peace. (29.23)

I am not pleased, even though adored through an image by means of formal worship carried on with costly or cheap materials, by a man slighting other creatures.  (29.24)

Figuring as death, I cause great fear to him who makes the least discrimination between himself and another because of his differential outlook. (29.26)