Arjuna and Yoga - The Supreme Path of Devotion
The word yoga literally means "to link" with the Supreme. While modern society often equates yoga with physical postures or silent meditation, the Bhagavad-gītā presents a much deeper definition through the historical dialogue between Lord Kṛṣṇa and His eternal associate. Śrīla Prabhupāda meticulously explains how Arjuna's reaction to the various yoga systems permanently establishes the absolute supremacy of pure devotional service above all other spiritual practices.
Revival of the Ancient Science
When the original knowledge of yoga was lost to the world, the Supreme Personality of Godhead descended to re-establish it. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa did not choose a forest ascetic to receive this supreme knowledge; He chose a warrior. Because Arjuna was Kṛṣṇa's intimate friend and devotee, he was uniquely qualified to understand the true, hidden purpose of the yoga system.
- The yoga system of Bhagavad-gita was lost before the meeting of Krsna and Arjuna. Therefore Krsna again enunciated the same ancient yoga system to Arjuna, who could actually understand Bhagavad-gita.
- At the beginning of the Fourth Chapter also Krsna tells Arjuna (Bhagavad-Gita 4.3) that He is explaining this ancient science of yoga to him because Arjuna is - My devotee and My friend.
- Lord Krsna made an analytical description of the soul just to bring Arjuna to the point of buddhi-yoga, or bhakti-yoga.
- The Lord informs Arjuna that this system of yoga, the Bhagavad-gita, was first spoken to the sun-god, and the sun-god explained it to Manu, and Manu explained it to Iksvaku.
The Rejection of Mechanical Meditation
In the Sixth Chapter, Kṛṣṇa outlines the severe austerities required for aṣṭāṅga-yoga and ṣaṭ-cakra-yoga. However, Arjuna gives a shockingly honest response: he cannot do it. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that if a vastly qualified royal prince from five thousand years ago found controlling the mind through mechanical meditation to be impractical and unendurable, it is utterly impossible for the degraded people of the modern age.
- Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, the system of yoga which you have summarized appears impractical and unendurable to me, for the mind is restless and unsteady. Bhagavad-Gita 6.33.
- Five thousand years ago Lord Krsna recommended yoga practice to Arjuna, but Arjuna frankly expressed his inability to follow the stringent rules and regulations of the yoga system.
- Five thousand years ago, Arjuna had much better facilities then we do now, yet he refused to accept this system of yoga. In fact, we do not find any record in history of his practicing it at any time.
- Strong mind is supposed to be controlled by the practice of yoga, but such practice is never practical for a worldly person like Arjuna. And what can we say of modern man?
The Supreme Yogī of Devotion
If Arjuna rejected the meditation system, how could he achieve perfection? Śrīla Prabhupāda explains the ultimate conclusion of the Bhagavad-gītā: the highest yogī is the one who constantly thinks of Kṛṣṇa in pure love. Even though Arjuna did not sit in silent meditation, Kṛṣṇa declared him the greatest yogī because his mind was fully and unceasingly absorbed in bhakti-yoga.
- In the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita, Sri Krsna instructs Arjuna how to perform meditational yoga, but Arjuna rejects this as too difficult. How then is Arjuna considered to be a great yogi.
- Although Krsna saw that Arjuna was rejecting the meditational system, He proclaimed Arjuna to be the highest yogi because - You are always thinking of Me.
- Yoga is the ultimate goal of life. Krsna therefore advised Arjuna to become a yogi (tasmad yogi bhavarjuna). Lord Krsna further advised in Bhagavad-gita that the first-class yogi is he who has come to the platform of devotional service.
- The Bhagavad-gita teaches the process of bhakti-yoga, and therefore Lord Krsna explained it to Arjuna because he was a great devotee. As far as spiritual life is concerned, becoming a devotee of the Lord is the highest perfection.
Working in Yoga and Mystic Power
True yoga does not mean abandoning one's responsibilities. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Kṛṣṇa instructed Arjuna to fight, but to do so while established in yoga—meaning he should perform his duty without any attachment to the fruitive results. Interestingly, while Arjuna rejected mechanical yoga for spiritual realization, he did possess incredible mystic yoga powers, which he utilized perfectly in the service of the Lord.
- Be steadfast in yoga, O Arjuna. Perform your duty and abandon all attachment to success or failure. Such evenness of mind is called yoga. Bhagavad-Gita 2.48.
- Krsna tells Arjuna of the knowledge of yoga whereby one can work without fruitive results: "O son of Prtha, when you act in such knowledge you can free yourself from the bondage of works" - CC Preface.
- A man engaged in devotional service rids himself of both good and bad actions even in this life. Therefore strive for yoga, O Arjuna, which is the art of all work. Bhagavad-Gita 2.50.
- It seems that Arjuna had mastered the mystic yoga power by which yogis can travel to any planet they desire. He first of all went to the planet known as Yamaloka, where the superintendent of death, Yamaraja, lives.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the dialogue between Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna serves as the definitive guide for understanding the actual goal of yoga. Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully clarifies that while systems like aṣṭāṅga-yoga are technically valid, they are utterly impractical for the vast majority of human beings, particularly in the current age. Arjuna, despite being a heroic warrior with access to mystic powers, chose to reject mechanical meditation in favor of bhakti-yoga, or pure devotional service. By doing so, he proved that the highest yogī is not the one who sits in a solitary forest, but the one whose mind is unceasingly fixed on the Supreme Personality of Godhead while performing their worldly duties. Ultimately, the Bhagavad-gītā teaches that real yoga is the art of all work—acting in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness to satisfy the Lord. For those who follow in the footsteps of Arjuna, the link with the Supreme is established not through difficult physical postures, but through the simple and sublime process of constant remembrance and loving service.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Arjuna and Yoga. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.