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In contemporary society, ''yoga'' has been largely commercialized and stripped of its profound spiritual essence. To rescue this ancient science from misinterpretation, Śrīla Prabhupāda provides the absolute Vedic standard, explaining that mere physical postures cannot grant spiritual liberation. By understanding that the true goal of ''yoga'' is to link our consciousness with the Supreme Lord, we find that pure devotional service is the highest realization.

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=== The Goal of Yoga ===
The mechanical processes of breath control and sitting postures were originally designed for a very specific, elevated purpose. As detailed by Śrīla Prabhupāda, these techniques were meant to withdraw the senses from material engagement in order to search out the Supersoul. The true business of the ''yogi'' is to meditate unceasingly on the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

* [[Vaniquotes:Actually, a yogi concentrates his mind on the form of Lord Visnu. That is real yoga. Krsna is the original form of all visnu-tattvas. The gopis could not go to Krsna personally, so they began to meditate on Him as perfect yogis|Actually, a yogi concentrates his mind on the form of Lord Visnu. That is real yoga. Krsna is the original form of all visnu-tattvas. The gopis could not go to Krsna personally, so they began to meditate on Him as perfect yogis.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In order to perform real yoga one must realize his constitutional position as being distinct from matter. The purpose of seeking out a secluded place and executing the meditational process is to come to this understanding|In order to perform real yoga one must realize his constitutional position as being distinct from matter. The purpose of seeking out a secluded place and executing the meditational process is to come to this understanding.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Real process is to concentrate the mind upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah. The yogi's business is, by controlling the mind, focus it toward Krsna or Lord Visnu. That is real yoga system|Real process is to concentrate the mind upon the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah. The yogi's business is, by controlling the mind, focus it toward Krsna or Lord Visnu. That is real yoga system.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Real yoga is to fix the mind on the form of the Lord, the four-handed Narayana who is sitting in everyone's heart|Real yoga is to fix the mind on the form of the Lord, the four-handed Narayana who is sitting in everyone's heart.]]

=== Rejecting Gymnastic Yoga ===
Today, many classes advertise ''yoga'' as a method for physical health, stress reduction, or even enhanced sense gratification. It is strongly criticized by Śrīla Prabhupāda that such practices are a complete deviation from the spiritual standard. Real ''yoga'' is not meant to keep the temporary body fit, but to liberate the soul from the material condition entirely.

* [[Vaniquotes:It appeals to fat ladies who go to the classes to reduce and keep their digestive systems regular. Many people are interested in this kind of gymnastic yoga, but real yoga is adhyatmika|It appeals to fat ladies who go to the classes to reduce and keep their digestive systems regular. Many people are interested in this kind of gymnastic yoga, but real yoga is adhyatmika.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should be very practical in every field of activities and should not waste his valuable time in practicing useless gymnastic feats in the name of yoga. Real yoga is to search out the four-handed Supersoul within one's heart|One should be very practical in every field of activities and should not waste his valuable time in practicing useless gymnastic feats in the name of yoga. Real yoga is to search out the four-handed Supersoul within one's heart.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Real yoga aims at ridding one of the material body. Yoga practice is not intended to keep the body fit and young|Real yoga aims at ridding one of the material body. Yoga practice is not intended to keep the body fit and young.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The yogi's real business is to focus his mind on Krsna. That is the real yoga system. There are many gymnastics performed by yogis, but all this is recommended for those who are overly concerned with the body|The yogi's real business is to focus his mind on Krsna. That is the real yoga system. There are many gymnastics performed by yogis, but all this is recommended for those who are overly concerned with the body.]]

=== Bhakti as the Supreme Yoga ===
While the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' describes various pathways such as ''jñāna'' and ''aṣṭānga'', they are ultimately meant to culminate in pure devotion. Through his unparalleled translations, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that ''bhakti-yoga'' is the topmost and most direct method. In this difficult age, reviving our loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa is the only practical means for God realization.

* [[Vaniquotes:Everything is mixed up with little bhakti, but... Just like karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga, there are different. But the real yoga means loving Vasudeva, Bhagavan|Everything is mixed up with little bhakti, but... Just like karma-yoga, jnana-yoga, dhyana-yoga, there are different. But the real yoga means loving Vasudeva, Bhagavan.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is very good news that you are introducing courses in Krsna Consciousness in the Universities and the yoga institutes. As you know this is the only real yoga - bhakti yoga - and it is the only practical means for God realization in this age|It is very good news that you are introducing courses in Krsna Consciousness in the Universities and the yoga institutes. As you know this is the only real yoga - bhakti yoga - and it is the only practical means for God realization in this age.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Real yoga is buddhi-yoga, the yoga of devotional service, which brings about direct perception of the Supreme Lord|Real yoga is buddhi-yoga, the yoga of devotional service, which brings about direct perception of the Supreme Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:There are many yogis and many different types of yoga systems, and all of these are discussed in Bhagavad-gita. There is hatha-yoga, karma-yoga, jnana-yoga and raja-yoga; however, the real yoga system is meant for reviving our connection with Krsna|There are many yogis and many different types of yoga systems, and all of these are discussed in Bhagavad-gita. There is hatha-yoga, karma-yoga, jnana-yoga and raja-yoga; however, the real yoga system is meant for reviving our connection with Krsna.]]

=== The Ultimate Perfection ===
The true measure of a ''yogi's'' success is not displayed through mystical tricks, but through their destination at the end of life. As confirmed by Śrīla Prabhupāda, the highest perfection is to follow the dictation of the Lord and remember Him at the moment of death. By engaging all the senses in Kṛṣṇa's service, the devotee easily attains the spiritual realm.

* [[Vaniquotes:At the time of death they (real yogis who always meditate on Visnu within their hearts) give up their bodies while thinking of the form of Visnu and thus attain Visnuloka, Vaikunthaloka, where they receive bodily features the same as those of the Lord|At the time of death they (real yogis who always meditate on Visnu within their hearts) give up their bodies while thinking of the form of Visnu and thus attain Visnuloka, Vaikunthaloka, where they receive bodily features the same as those of the Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The following of Krsna's dictation is real yoga, and this is practiced in the process called Krsna consciousness. By Krsna consciousness only can one give up the sense of proprietorship. BG 1972 purports|The following of Krsna's dictation is real yoga, and this is practiced in the process called Krsna consciousness. By Krsna consciousness only can one give up the sense of proprietorship.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We have to be Krsna conscious-devoted to the Personality of Godhead. This is the aim of the real yoga. BG 1972 purports|We have to be Krsna conscious-devoted to the Personality of Godhead. This is the aim of the real yoga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When you employ your senses in the service of the proprietor of the senses, that is called bhakti. That is called bhakti. So that is real yoga, bhakti-yoga. Otherwise artificially if you try, one or two may be successful but mostly they will fail|When you employ your senses in the service of the proprietor of the senses, that is called bhakti. That is called bhakti. So that is real yoga, bhakti-yoga. Otherwise artificially if you try, one or two may be successful but mostly they will fail.]]

=== Conclusion ===
The authentic path of ''yoga'' is far more profound than any physical exercise; it is the absolute surrender of the heart. By clearly distinguishing the genuine spiritual science from its modern imitations, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensures that we do not waste our valuable human life. Embracing ''bhakti-yoga'' and dedicating our senses to the Supreme Lord is the ultimate, joyful perfection of all yogic endeavors.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Real_Yoga|Real Yoga]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

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[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - The Science of Devotional Service to God‎]]

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