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Extraordinary abilities may impress ordinary people, but they do not represent the final perfection of spiritual life. In these teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that yogic power becomes spiritually meaningful only when it leads the living being toward Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The true achievement is not to display power, but to become Kṛṣṇa conscious and fully dependent on the Lord.

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=== Kṛṣṇa is the master of all mystic power ===
Mystic abilities may be acquired by practice, austerity, or residence on higher planets, but their source and controller is Kṛṣṇa. In presenting Him as Yogeśvara, Śrīla Prabhupāda shows that no yogī, demigod, or perfected being can become equal to the Supreme Lord. Therefore, the proper understanding of yogic power begins with recognizing Kṛṣṇa as the master of all mystic perfection.

* [[Vaniquotes:All these mystic powers can be attained by ordinary man if he wants; there is process. But Krsna is the master of all yogic power, Yogesvara. So who can get victory?|All these mystic powers can be attained by ordinary man if he wants; there is process. But Krsna is the master of all yogic power, Yogesvara. So who can get victory?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna, however, is Yogesvara, the master of all yogic powers. If we get a little mystic power we become important, but Krsna is the master of all mystic powers|Krsna, however, is Yogesvara, the master of all yogic powers. If we get a little mystic power we become important, but Krsna is the master of all mystic powers.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Mystic yogis want to acquire some power by practicing the yoga system, but Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is known as the Supreme Lord of all mystic power|Mystic yogis want to acquire some power by practicing the yoga system, but Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is known as the Supreme Lord of all mystic power.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This universe (jagat) is situated on the strength of one part of Krsna's yogic powers. In this way we must understand the greatness of God and our own identity as minute particles|This universe (jagat) is situated on the strength of one part of Krsna's yogic powers. In this way we must understand the greatness of God and our own identity as minute particles.]]

=== Mystic abilities remain material without devotion ===
The power to perform wonderful acts may seem spiritually advanced, but Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that such abilities are still material when separated from pure devotional service. A perfect ''yogī'' is not attracted by material power, because the heart is meant to be fixed in unalloyed service to the Supreme Lord. This understanding protects the practitioner from mistaking extraordinary ability for real spiritual perfection.

* [[Vaniquotes:As other material powers are created by the material energy, mystic yogic powers are also material. A perfect yogis mind is not attracted by any material power, but is simply attracted by unalloyed service to the Supreme Lord|As other material powers are created by the material energy, mystic yogic powers are also material. A perfect yogis mind is not attracted by any material power, but is simply attracted by unalloyed service to the Supreme Lord.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Of course, one can derive great amounts of temporary happiness by achieving such yogic materialistic perfections|Of course, one can derive great amounts of temporary happiness by achieving such yogic materialistic perfections.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Yogis are generally attracted to the by-products of mystic yogic power, for they can become smaller than the smallest or greater than the greatest, achieve anything they desire, have power even to create a planet, or bring anyone under their subjection|Yogis are generally attracted to the by-products of mystic yogic power, for they can become smaller than the smallest or greater than the greatest, achieve anything they desire, have power even to create a planet, or bring anyone under their subjection.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:All these expediencies (yogic powers) are as common as natural gifts for the inhabitants of those higher planets|All these expediencies (yogic powers) are as common as natural gifts for the inhabitants of those higher planets.]]

=== Devotional service surpasses mystic perfection ===
The devotee does not need to pursue separate mystic achievement, because dependence on Kṛṣṇa brings the highest protection and perfection. In these instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda shows that pure devotional service makes one forget the attraction of material enjoyment, liberation, and ''yoga-siddhis''. The safest and highest path is to keep Kṛṣṇa within the heart rather than trying to become master of mystic powers.

* [[Vaniquotes:Pure devotional service is so sublime that one can very easily forget the happiness derived from material enjoyment, material liberation and mystic or yogic perfection. Thus the devotee is bound by Krsna's mercy and His uncommon power and qualities|Pure devotional service is so sublime that one can very easily forget the happiness derived from material enjoyment, material liberation and mystic or yogic perfection. Thus the devotee is bound by Krsna's mercy and His uncommon power and qualities.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Yogis are aspiring after many siddhis (powers) - anima, laghima, prapti, etc. However, a devotee is not at all interested in these things because he is fully dependent on the mercy of Krsna|Yogis are aspiring after many siddhis (powers) - anima, laghima, prapti, etc. However, a devotee is not at all interested in these things because he is fully dependent on the mercy of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Instead of becoming a yogi, you take shelter of Yogesvara. Then all yogic power will be within your control. Just like a rich man's son, if he is in trouble, the whole father estate is behind him. So why should he hanker after earning money?|Instead of becoming a yogi, you take shelter of Yogesvara. Then all yogic power will be within your control. Just like a rich man's son, if he is in trouble, the whole father estate is behind him. So why should he hanker after earning money?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Instead of trying to be master of all yogic mystic powers, it is better if one simply keeps the supreme Yogesvara, Krsna, within his heart. Thus one's life can become perfect, and one can very easily be transferred to the kingdom of God|Instead of trying to be master of all yogic mystic powers, it is better if one simply keeps the supreme Yogesvara, Krsna, within his heart. Thus one's life can become perfect, and one can very easily be transferred to the kingdom of God.]]

=== Extraordinary displays do not prove spiritual advancement ===
A person may display some unusual ability and still remain far from genuine spiritual realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that foolish people may mistake minor feats, such as manufacturing gold or showing some power, as signs of divine authority. Such misunderstanding leads to false prestige, bogus discipleship, and the dangerous idea that mystic ability itself is the criterion for accepting a ''guru''.

* [[Vaniquotes:He'll falsely think that, "I am God." Yogis, if they can show some mystic yogic power, then naturally foolish people will think him that, "Oh, here is God." And he's satisfied with that|He'll falsely think that, "I am God." Yogis, if they can show some mystic yogic power, then naturally foolish people will think him that, "Oh, here is God." And he's satisfied with that.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sometimes a foolish person accepts someone as a guru because he can manufacture a small quantity of gold by mystic yogic power. Such a disciple has a poor fund of knowledge, he cannot judge whether the manufacture of gold is the criterion for a guru|Sometimes a foolish person accepts someone as a guru because he can manufacture a small quantity of gold by mystic yogic power. Such a disciple has a poor fund of knowledge, he cannot judge whether the manufacture of gold is the criterion for a guru.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sometimes a yogi displays a little yogic power by manufacturing gold|Sometimes a yogi displays a little yogic power by manufacturing gold.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Such a pretender's (who makes a show of being a yogi) mind is always impure, and therefore his show of yogic meditation has no value whatsoever. BG 1972 purports|Such a pretender's (who makes a show of being a yogi) mind is always impure, and therefore his show of yogic meditation has no value whatsoever.]]

=== The example of Kardama Muni shows extraordinary capacity ===
The account of Kardama Muni shows that accomplished ''yogīs'' can perform acts far beyond ordinary human ability, including the manifestation of palaces, servants, aerial vehicles, and cosmic travel. These examples demonstrate the astonishing range of mystic perfection, yet Śrīla Prabhupāda does not present them as the final goal of life. Rather, they show how such power remains secondary to liberation from material conditioning and progress toward devotional realization.

* [[Vaniquotes:By yogic powers he created for her this great airplane and gave her a big house with maidservants and all opulences. Kardama Muni was merely a human being, but he could perform such wonderful things by yogic powers|By yogic powers he created for her this great airplane and gave her a big house with maidservants and all opulences. Kardama Muni was merely a human being, but he could perform such wonderful things by yogic powers.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He (Kardama Muni) also created a great spaceship as large as a small city. Modern airlines have prepared a 747, & although these are very big, Kardama Muni, by his yogic powers, was able to create a spaceship wherein there were lakes, palaces and gardens|He (Kardama Muni) also created a great spaceship as large as a small city. Modern airlines have prepared a 747, and although these are very big, Kardama Muni, by his yogic powers, was able to create a spaceship wherein there were lakes, palaces and gardens.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This spaceship could also travel all over the universe. Modern scientists labor very hard to make a small spaceship to go to the moon, but Kardama Muni could create a great spaceship that could travel to all planets. This is possible by yogic powers|This spaceship could also travel all over the universe. Modern scientists labor very hard to make a small spaceship to go to the moon, but Kardama Muni could create a great spaceship that could travel to all planets. This is possible by yogic powers.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:That is the way of a God-gifted person. A devotee like Kardama Muni exhibited such opulence by his yogic power at the request of his wife, but when the opulence was produced, he himself could not understand how such manifestations could be possible|That is the way of a God-gifted person. A devotee like Kardama Muni exhibited such opulence by his yogic power at the request of his wife, but when the opulence was produced, he himself could not understand how such manifestations could be possible.]]

=== Sense control and realization give yogic power its purpose ===
The proper use of mystic discipline is not display, enjoyment, or dominance, but control of the senses and realization of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the age of Kali, Śrīla Prabhupāda points the reader toward Lord Caitanya's process because difficult yogic practices are not practical for most people. When connected with meditation on the Lord and Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the effort for ''yoga'' receives its true spiritual direction.

* [[Vaniquotes:Yogic power should properly be used to realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead|Yogic power should properly be used to realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Those who are interested in yoga, you will find in the authorized books, yoga indriya-samyamah: The aim of yogic power, yogic success, is to control the senses|Those who are interested in yoga, you will find in the authorized books, yoga indriya-samyamah: The aim of yogic power, yogic success, is to control the senses.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Since the Lord is absolute, deep meditation upon Him is as good as yogic trance. The Lord is nondifferent from His name, form, quality, pastimes, entourage and specific actions|Since the Lord is absolute, deep meditation upon Him is as good as yogic trance. The Lord is nondifferent from His name, form, quality, pastimes, entourage and specific actions.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In this age of Kali it is very difficult to adopt the yogic process mentioned in this verse (SB 4.23.17). Unless one is very expert in such yoga, the best course is to adopt the ways and means of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, sri-krsna-sankirtanam|In this age of Kali it is very difficult to adopt the yogic process mentioned in this verse (SB 4.23.17). Unless one is very expert in such yoga, the best course is to adopt the ways and means of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, sri-krsna-sankirtanam.]]

=== Conclusion ===
The teachings gathered here show that yogic power is not rejected merely because it is extraordinary, but it is properly placed beneath realization of Kṛṣṇa and devotional service. By identifying Kṛṣṇa as Yogeśvara and warning against pride, deception, and misuse, Śrīla Prabhupāda directs the reader toward the real achievement of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Mystic ability becomes meaningful only when it helps the soul remember the Supreme Lord and serve Him without distraction.

=== 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:Yogic_Power|Yogic Power]]. 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]])

[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
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