Devotee: Verse thirty-five: "The Blessed Lord said: O mighty armed son of Kunti, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind, but it is possible by constant practice and by detachment."

Prabhupada: Yes. Now, Krsna says, "Yes." Krsna does not say that it is not difficult. Krsna says, "Yes, it is difficult." But it is possible by constant practice. This constant practice is to engage oneself in something which reminds as Krsna. Do something. Therefore we have so many activities. Not only kirtana, but temple activities, prasada activities, publication activities, so many activities. Everyone is engaged in some activities and Krsna is the central point. Therefore a person who is typing for Krsna, he is in yoga system. A person who is cooking for Krsna, he is in yoga system. A person who is chanting in the street, distributing our literature, he's also in Krsna. So by ordinary habits we are engaged, as in our material life we were engaged in so many things. If we mold our life in connection with Krsna, then in every activity there is Krsna consciousness and therefore this yoga perfection is there automatically. Yes, go on.

Devotee: Verse thirty-six: "For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by right means is assured of success. That is My judgement." Purport: "The Supreme Personality of Godhead declares that one who does not accept the proper treatment to detach the mind from material engagement can hardly achieve success in self-realization. Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite a fire while pouring water on it. Similarly yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time."

Prabhupada: Because I sit down for meditation. Of course if meditation is focusing the mind on Visnu, that is very good. But there are so many yoga societies, they educate their student to concentrate their mind on something void, something color. Not exactly to Visnu form. You see. So that is very difficult task. That is also explained in the Bhagavadkleso 'dhikataras tesam avyaktasakta-cetasam [Bg. 12.5]. One who is trying to concentrate his mind on the imperson or voidness, it is very difficult and troublesome. At least here in this temple, these students, they are trying to concentrate his mind on Krsna. But to concentrate one's mind in void, that is very difficult. So naturally my mind is flickering. Instead of finding out something void, my mind is engaged in something else. Because mind must be engaged in something. If it is not engaged in Krsna, then it must be engaged in maya. So if you cannot do that, then this so-called meditation and sitting posture is simply useless waste of time. Go on.

Devotee: "Such a show of yoga practice may be materially lucrative, but useless as far as spiritual realization is concerned."

Prabhupada: Yes. Materially lucrative. Suppose if I open such yoga class and I charge five dollars for sitting. Money is not very rare in your country, you come. But simply I give you some sitting posture or pressing nose and this and that, but if you cannot attain the real, I mean to say, result of yoga practice, then you have wasted your time and money and I have cheated you. That is not possible. That is not possible. One has to concentrate his mind on Visnu form, steady, constantly, that is called samadhi. So the same thing is being done in a different manner suitable for this age. This is Krsna consciousness. Go on.

Devotee: "Therefore the mind must be controlled by engaging it constantly in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. Unless one is engaged in Krsna consciousness, he can't steadily control the mind. A Krsna conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga practice without separate endeavor. A yoga practitioner cannot achieve perfect success without becoming Krsna conscious."

Prabhupada: Then? Go on. So far yoga practice is concerned is explained, discussion between Krsna and Arjuna. Now, supposing that I practice yoga, real yoga I mean to say, not this pseudo yoga. And if I cannot do it properly, I fail. Then what is the result? Suppose if I give up my business, I give up my ordinary occupation and I begin to practice yoga. But somehow or other it is not completed, it is failure. Then what is the result? That is being questioned by Arjuna. That will be answered by Krsna. What is that? Go on. "Arjuna said..."

Devotee: "Arjuna said: 'What is the destination of a man of faith who does not persevere? Who in the beginning takes to the process of self-realization but who later desists due to worldly mindedness and thus does not attain perfection in mysticism?' " Purport: "The path of self-realization of mysticism is described in the Bhagavad-gita. The basic principle of self-realization is knowledge that the living entity is not this material body but that he is different from it and his happiness is in eternal life, bliss and knowledge."

Prabhupada: Now, before coming to the point of self-realization, one must take it grantedthat is the beginning of Bhagavad-gita, that he is not this body. That the living entity is not this material body but that he is different from it and his happiness is in eternal life. This life is not eternal. The perfection of yoga system means to get eternal life, blissful life and full of knowledge. That is perfection. So we have to execute any yoga system with that aim. Not that I attend some yoga class to reduce fat or to keep my body very fit for sense gratification. This is not the end of yoga system. But people are taught like that. "Oh, if you practice this yoga system." That you can do if you undergo any exercise process your body will be kept fit. There are so many system of bodily exercise, the system, this weight-lifting system, there are many sporting system, they also keep body very fit. They can digest foodstuff very nicely, they reduce fat. For this purpose there is no need of practicing yoga. The real purpose is here; that to realize that I am not this body. I want eternal happiness, I want complete knowledge, I want eternal life also. That is the ultimate end of yoga system. Go on.

Devotee: "These are transcendental. Beyond both body and mind. Self-realization is sought by the path of knowledge, the practice of eightfold mysticism or by bhakti-yoga. In each of these processes one has to realize the constitutional position of the living entity, his relationship with God and the activities whereby he can reestablish the lost link and achieve the highest perfectional stage of Krsna consciousness. Following any of the above-mentioned three methods, one is sure to reach the supreme goal sooner or later. This was asserted by the Lord in the Second Chapter. Even a little endeavor on the transcendental path of bhakti-yoga is especially suitable for this age because it is the most direct method of God-realization. To be doubly assured, Arjuna is asking Lord Krsna to confirm His former statement. One may sincerely adopt the path of self-realization. But the process of cultivation of knowledge and the practice of eightfold yoga system are generally very difficult for this age. Therefore in spite of one's earnest endeavor one may fail for many reasons. The primary reason is one's not being sufficiently serious about following the process. To pursue the transcendental path is more or less to declare war on the illusory energy."

Prabhupada: When we accept any self-realization process, it is practically declaring war against the illusory energy, maya. So when there's a question of maya or a question of fight or war there will be so many difficulty imposed by maya, that is certain. Therefore there is a chance of failure. but one has to become very steady. Go on.

Devotee: "Consequently whenever a person tries to escape the clutches of the illusory energy, she tries to defeat the practitioner by various allurements. A conditioned soul is already allured by the modes of material energy and there is every chance of being allured again while performing such transcendental practice. This is called yogac calita-manasah."

Prabhupada: Calita-manasah. Calita-manasah means diverting the mind from the practice of yoga. Yogac calita-manasah. Yogat means from the practice of yoga and calita means diversion. Manasah means mind. Yogac calita-manasah. So there is every chance. Everyone has got experience. You're trying to read some book, concentration, but mind is not allowing, it is disturbed. So it is very important factor to control the mind. That is the real practice.

Devotee: "One who is deviated from the transcendental path. Arjuna is inquisitive to know the results of deviation from the path of self-realization."

Prabhupada: Yes, this is very important question. That one may begin practicing any sort of yoga, either the eightfold yoga system of the jnana-yoga system, means speculating philosophically, and the bhakti-yoga system, devotional service. But if one fails to complete the yoga system, what is the result. That is very important question and it is put by Arjuna and Krsna will answer it. [break]

Devotee: (6.44) "By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically becomes attached to the yogic principleseven without seeking them. Such an inquisitive transcendentalist, striving for yoga, stands always above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures. But when the yogi..."

Prabhupada: No, let me explain this. "By virtue of divine consciousness." We are preparing this consciousness, Krsna consciousness, divine consciousness. And the consciousness we go. Just like the flavor, the aroma of a rose flower is carried by the air and if the air passes through us we also experience the rose flavor. Similarly, when we die, this material body is finished. "Dust thou art, dust thou beist." This is made of five elements: earth, water, air, fire, ether. So the, so far earthy materials are concerned, that is mixed up. Somebody burns this body, somebody buries or somebody throws it for being eaten by the animals. The three system in the human society. Just like in India, Hindus, they burn the body. So the body is transformed into ashesmeans earth. Ash means earth. Those who are burying the bodies of their forefathers, the body turns into dust, as the Christian Bible says, "dust thou art." This body is dust and again turns into dust. And those who are throwing for being eaten by the animals and birds, vultures, just like in India you have got the community, Parsee community. They do not burn, neither they bury. They throw and the vultures immediately comes and eat. Then the body turns into stool.

Devotee: "When the yogi engages himself with sincere endeavor in making further progress being washed of all contaminations, then ultimately, after many, many births of practice, he attains the supreme goal."

Prabhupada: Yes. So it is a question of practice. Just like a child born, he does not know how to smoke, how to drink, but by association he becomes a drunkard, a smoker, intoxication. By association. So it is a question of association only. Sangat sanjayate kamah. If the association is good, our carrier is being spoiled because we are not keeping good association. So this is explained here, that: "But when the yogi engages himself with sincere endeavor in making further progress." Just like in business also, there are so many association, corporation. Because by becoming member of that corporation the particular type of business flourishes. They have got exchange. They can make exchange, bill of exchange, stock exchange. So association is so important. So if we become serious for developing divine consciousness, then this is the only associationwe have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Here simply the method how one can become divine conscious, that is taught. So this is a good chance. We invite everyone to join and the process is very simple. Simply chant Hare Krsna and you'll feel. There is no difficult process. The children also can take part and actually they are taking part. You don't require any previous qualification. That you must have passed your master of degree examination or this or that. Whatever you are, you simply come and join this association and you become Krsna conscious. This is the advantage of this society. It is clear. Please try to understand. Go on. Purport?

Devotee: "A person born in a particular righteous, aristocratic or sacred family becomes conscious of his favorable condition for executing yoga practice. With determination, therefore, he begins his unfinished task, and thus he completely cleanses himself of all material contaminations. When he is finally free of all contaminations, he attains the supreme perfection, Krsna consciousness."

Prabhupada: It is, try to understand, that, the Supreme Lord, God is pure. And His kingdom is also pure. And anyone who wants to enter there, he must be pure. That is very natural. That if you want to enter into some particular society, you must qualify yourself. Qualification is to go back to home, back to Godhead, the qualification is that you should not be materially contaminated. And what is that material contamination? The material contamination is sense gratification. Unrestricted sense gratification. That is material contamination. So you have to make yourself free from material contamination. Then you become eligible to enter into the kingdom of God. That process of being freed or being washed of all material contamination, is yoga system. Yoga system does not mean that you sit down for fifteen minutes for so-called meditation and you continue all your material contamination. Just like if you want to be cured from a certain type of disease, you have to follow the regulation made by the physician. Similarly, in this chapter the process of yoga practice is recommended, how you have to do it. So that means if you execute these prescribed methods, then you become freed from material contamination. Then you are actually situated for linking up, for making connection with the Supreme. That is Krsna consciousness.

Devotee: "Krsna consciousness is the perfect stage, being freed of all contaminations. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita. After many, many births in execution of pious activities when one is completely freed from all contaminations and from all illusory dualities, one then becomes engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord."

Prabhupada: Yes. Yesam tv anta-gatam papam. The exact verse in the Bhagavad-gita is yesam tv anta-gatam papam. Papam means sin. One who has completely ended sinful activities, jananam punya-karmanam: persons who have simply executed pious activities. Such person becomes fixed up in Krsna consciousness without any dualities. Because our mind is flickering, so dualities will always come. Whether I shall accept it or not. Whether I shall become Krsna conscious or another conscious, these problems are always there. But if one is advanced by pious activities in the previous life, then he is fixed up steady, "I'll become Krsna conscious." So this method, this chanting Hare Krsna method, even in your previous life you did not act very piously or in this life, it doesn't matter. If you kindly take seriously this simple method, Hare Krsna, chanting, you become immediately pure. But with determination that you'll not contact any more impious activities.