[Prev][Next][Index]
Caste System and Varnasrama Dharma - varna.txt [3/5]
elephant, and dog, and a dog-eater [outcaste]."
The brahmana endowed with such learning is primarily in the material
mode of goodness. Among the animals, the cow is also in the mode of
goodness; elephants, lions, and so on, are situated primarily inthe mode of
passion; dogs and some humans (such as the candalas and other
outcastes) are in the mode of ignorance. The karma-yogis, who are always
meditating on the Supreme, never see these outer coverings of the soul,
but rather the pure soul proper. This is true equal vision in relation to the
Supreme. The karma-yogis perceive that all elements and objects in this
world are materials for the Supreme Lord's worship and that all living
entities are eternal servitors of Lord Krsna. One attains the purest stage of
equal vision when one ceases to take into consideration the outer covering
of the soul, the body, but rather is established in the soul's innate nature
of serving the Lord. In this stage one engages all things in devotional
service to the Supreme Lord by using them as ingredients for sacrifice to
please Lord Visnu.
The karma-yogi knows that Lord Krsna is the only enjoyer and exploiter
of all material objects and that He is the only Lord and master of all living
entities. Forgerful of this relationship with Lord Krsna, the living entity
falls into the clutches of maya, or illusion. Under the infulence of maya, he
tries in vain to act the part of an enjoyer or a renouncer - but this is all a
mere fantasy. In fact, the real affliction of the living entity is the pretense
that he is the enjoyer or renouncer. All types of good and pious activities
-like yoga, the cultivation of knowledge, austerity, and renunciation - are
misapplied labor if they cannot kindle in the heart the flame of loving
attraction for topics relating to the Supreme Lord. As Lord Krsna declares
in the Bhagavad-gita (5.29),
A person in full consciousness of Me, knowing Me to be the
ultimate beneficiary of all sacrifices and austerities, the
Supreme Lord of all planets and demigods, and the benefactor
and well-wisher of all living entities, attains peace from
the pangs of material miseries.
Earlier in this book we discussed the need for performing work as
sacrifice, and now form this verse the truth that Lord Krsna is the original
Supreme Person, the enjoyer of all sacrifices, comes out with clarity. It
must be understood that the results of sacrifice performed by the
karma-yogis, as well as the austerities of the knowledge-seekers, are all
meant to be enjoyed by Lord Krsna alone. The object of the yogis'
meditation, the Supersoul within the heart, is actually a partial expansion
of Lord Krsna. We will discuss this subject matter in detain later in this
book.
Lord Krsna is the well-wisher of the followers of all the different
disciplines - karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, astanga-yoga(meditation), and
bhakti-yoga. And because Lord Krsna is the well-wisher of everyone, He
sends His close associates to the world to establish proper religious
teachings in every millennium. Lord Krsna is the supreme master of all the
planets, the original Lord, and the cause of all causes. The only path to
peace is the path of gradual elevation in karma-yoga, leading to
realization of the Absolute Truth, Lord Krsna.
Those who are already executing their work for the satisfaction of Lord
Krsna are not required to separately perform sacrifices, austerities, or
meditation, that are not on the platform of pure Krsna consciousness.
Previously we explained that a pure karma-yogi is automatically a
brahmana, sannyasi and a yogi. Like a karmi, or fruitive worker, he is
expert in performing sacrifices and executing his duties; like a jnani, or
seeker of knowledge, he is renounced and austere; and like a yogi, he is
also detached from the fruits of his work and has brought his senses
under control. One who is completely detached from all fruitive work and
has become attracted to the Supreme Lord and His loving devotional
service is simultaneously ornamented with all good qualities. As Lord
Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (6.1),
One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works
as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is
the true mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no duty.
Since the karma-yogi knows that the ultimate enjoyer of the fruits of all
his activities is Lord Krsna, he does not hanker after those fruits and is
fully detached from them. He always thinks of doing everthing for Lord
Krsna. Such an unattached karma-yogi never thinks that action in Krsna
consciousness is meant for enjoying sense pleasure or avoiding pain. The
sannyasi renounces everything, including activities prescribed by the
scriptures, in favor of cultivating knowledge of the Absolute. The yogi
retires from active service and, desiring to see the Supersoul within his
heart, spends his days in meditation with half-closed eyes. But he whose
work is a sacrifice for the satisfaction of the Supreme makes no endeavors
for his physical requirements. Since he is engaged in devotional service to
the Supreme Lord, he is not required to execute the ritualistic activities
recommended in hte scriptures. Such a detached karma-yogi is superior
to one who is merely unattached to the fruits of his work. The karma-yogi
is automatically accomplished in the knowledge of the Absolute that the
sannyasi seeks and the eight mystic perfections that the meditating yogi
aspires for.
The real karma-yogis are in fact devotees of the Supreme Lord. Since they
have attained perfection, they do not hanker for profit, adoration, or
distinction. In their state of prefection, all knowledge and mystic powers
automatically embellish them. With everything desirable available to them,
why should they need anything else?
Following the eightfold path of Pantanjali, the meditative yogis gradually
elevate themselves, mastering the different stages until they reach
samadhi, or the state of absorption in the Supersoul. In their desire to
reach perfection, they tolerate all sorts of adversities and sufferings and
remain fixed on their goal. Ultimately they attain a state of consciousness
that cannot be compared to anything in this material world. In this state of
mystic perfection, no suffering - not even death - seems formidable. Lord
Krsna's comment about such yogis has been recorded in the
Bhagavad-gita (6.22),
Established thus, one never departs from the truth, and upon
gaining this he thinks there is no greater gain. Being
situated in such a position, one is never shaken, even in the
midst of greatest difficulty.
In his purport to this verse, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that when one
detaches oneself form the sensual world and becomes situated in
samadhi, complete absorption in the Absolute Truth, one perceives the
pure spiritual self and is rewarded with intense bliss.. Such a yogi never
deviates his concentration from the Absolute Truth, the object of his
meditation. The eight mystic perfections - anima, laghima, prapti,
prakamya, and so on (The eight mystic perfections are described by Lord
Krsna to Uddhava in the Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.15.4-5. They are:anima
-becoming smaller than the smallest; mahima-becoming greater than the
greatest; laghima-becoming lighter than the lightest; prapti-acquiring
whatever one desires; prakamya-experiencing any enjoyable object, either
