Hare Krsna,
The following features of the Lord’s Universal Form caught my attention and inspired me greatly.
From SB Canto 2, Chapter 1, the different limbs of astanga-yoga caught my attention.
“At the last stage of one’s life, one should be bold enough not to be afraid of death. But one must cut off all attachment to the material body and everything pertaining to it and all desires thereof.” (SB 2.1.15)
Since our goal is total samadhi on the two-handed form of Lord Krsna, I find it inspiring to meditate on the different limbs of astanya-yoga.
Yama – Leave home and practice self control
Niyama – Bathe regularly at a sacred place
Asana – Sit down in a secluded and sanctified place
Pranayama – Remember ‘Om’ and regulate breathing
Pratyahara – Withdraw the mind from sense activities
Dharana – Fix the mind with intelligence on the Lord’s form
Dhyana – Meditate on each limb of Lord, without deviating from the conception of whole body of Lord
Samadhi – Completely reconcile the mind in Visnu without any thought.
From Canto 3, Chapter 6, the different life airs such as prana, apana, samana, udana, vyana, naga, krkaram kurma, Devadatta, and dhanajaya are worth meditating upon. We survive on air and our breathing process. Therefore it is important that I have some basic understanding of the different life airs.
Lastly the manifestation of the varnas inspires me. The mouth of the virat-rupa manifests the vedic wisdom and brahmanas. The arms represents the power of protection and ksatriyas. The thighs represent the means of livelihood of all persons (vaisyas). The legs represent the service for the sake of perfecting dharma, sudras.
Since I am a sudra by nature and propensity, I find the service of the Lord represented by His legs most inspiring aspect.
SB 3.6.33: Thereafter, service was manifested from the legs of the Personality of Godhead for the sake of perfecting the religious function. Situated on the legs are the śūdras, who satisfy the Lord by service.
The clue to making our human life successful is beautifully given by Srila Prabhupada in the following purport:
“Service is the real constitutional occupation of all living entities. The living entities are meant to render service to the Lord, and they can attain religious perfection by this service attitude…. It is clearly said here that the principle of service was generated from the legs of the Lord for the sake of perfecting the religious process, but this transcendental service is different from the idea of service in the material world… It is actually better to be a śūdra than to be a brāhmaṇa and not develop the service attitude, because that attitude alone satisfies the Lord. Every living being—even if he be a brāhmaṇa by qualification—must take to the transcendental service of the Lord. Both Bhagavad-gītā and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam support that this service attitude is the perfection of the living entity. A brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya or śūdra can perfect his occupational duties only by rendering service unto the Lord… Even if one is not a perfect brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya or śūdra but takes to the service of the Lord, not caring for the perfection of his social position, he becomes a perfect human being simply by developing the attitude of service to the Supreme Lord.” (SB 3.6.33 P)
Therefore, I pray to the Supreme Lord to bestow upon me the right service attitude so that I can satisfy Him and His dear devotees. This service attitude can be fully ignited by sincerely and prayerfully chanting the Lord’s Holy Names.
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 