Hare Krsna,
Having gone through a few chapters of Lord Kapiladeva’s teachings to His mother Devahuti, I could see a pattern in His instructions on detachment and devotional service to the Supreme Lord. He arrives at the path of liberation from material bondage and bhakti through different angles.
In chapter 25 (The Glories of Devotional Service), Lord Kapiladeva recommends that bhakti performed without material desires consisting of (i) senses that serve the Supreme Lord as confirmed by the scriptures and guru and (ii) mind that is exclusively dedicated to the Lord on a spontaneous level (bhava) is superior to liberation. Such bhakti quickly destroys the subtle body as the digestive fire consumes food. He concludes by saying that the greatest benefit can be achieved only by offering one’s mind in intense bhakti to the Lord. (SB 3.25.32, 33, 44)
In chapter 26 (Fundamental Principles of Material Nature), Lord Kapiladeva explains the different features of material elements, knowing which one (i) is freed from influence of material modes, (ii) attains perfection of self-realization, and (iii) cuts the knot of attachment to material world. (SB 3.26.1-2). He concludes by saying that the goal of understanding the material elements is to contemplate the Supersoul through devotion, detachment and spiritual knowledge. (SB 3.26.72)
In chapter 27 (Understanding Material Nature), Lord Kapiladeva explains that one can get liberation by intense practice of devotional service. By such serious practice, the influence of prakrti over jiva can be removed, just as wooden sticks that cause a fire are themselves consumed by it. Prakrti cannot harm one who knows the absolute truth or the elements, has fixed his mind on the Supreme Lord, and rejoices in the self. When his heart is no longer attracted to the by-products of yoga, he can attain liberation, where death cannot overcome him. (SB 3.26.21-22, 26, 30)
Now in chapter 28, Lord Kapiladeva talks about different limbs of astanga-yoga but stresses on dhyana/meditation on the individual limbs of the Lord as perfect way to attain liberation. By such meditation, one gradually develops love for the Lord, exhibiting symptoms like the hairs standing and tears rolling. Gradually, one withdraws his hook-like mind from all material activity. Once the mind is fully detached from material contamination, the body of such a liberated yogi is taken charge of by the Lord. Such liberated yogi sees the presence of the Supersoul in all beings and all beings in the Supersoul. The yogi knows the oneness and difference between the Supreme Lord and the tiny living entities (acintya-bheda-abhedha tattva). Lord Kapiladeva wants us to fully understand the distinction between the body and the spirit. Our children, wealth, etc. are not really ours; they are related to the body. As long as the body exists, such false relationships also exist. There is a difference between the body and the soul just as there is a difference between blazing firewood, sparks, the flame and smoke from the fire. Similarly, the Supersoul is different from the individual soul, who is combined with the senses, the five elements and consciousness. That Supersoul quantitatively different from the small individual soul.
One who understands the distinction between the Supersoul and the individual soul is above lamentation and is in a peaceful position. The living entity knows that he can never become quantitatively as big as the Supersoul; he will always be subservient to the Supersoul. The small living entities are eternally part and parcel, and therefore it is not possible for them to be quantitatively as great as the Supersoul. The small living entity is eternally a servant of the Supreme Lord. Once when is firmly fixed in this understanding and therefore surrenders to the Supreme Soul, he can become free from the spell of maya. Krsna, being the Lord of the illusory energy, can order the insurmountable energy to release the conditioned soul. He orders this release out of His causeless mercy on the surrendered soul and out of His paternal affection for the living entity, who is originally a beloved son of the lord. Therefore surrender unto the lotus feet of the Lord is the only means to get free from the clutches of the stringent material nature.
However things do not end with surrender. The real activity – pure devotional service – begins from the point of complete surrender to the Lord. Before full surrender and release from maya, one engages in activities based on false identification with the body. When one is situated in his real self, then the activities of Brahman realization begin. Activity never stops. It just gets purer and more blissful with the level of surrender.
BG 18.54: One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me.
Perfect devotional service means completely free from the spell of maya, and this stage is attainable only at the stage of brahman.
How fortunate are we to be able to engage in devotional service to the Lord beginning with hearing and chanting. Our devotional service may not be pure and perfect yet; but we are on the path of attaining complete liberation from the spell of maya on our way to achieving self-realization and pure devotional service to the Supreme Lord. The journey is long, and the destination seems very far away. But we are getting closer to Krsna’s lotus feet each day by practicing bhakti sincerely. Lord Kapiladeva gives us the assurance that
“For those who engage in devotional service there is no spell of māyā, and their situation is all-perfect. The duty of the living entity, as a part and parcel of the whole, is to render devotional service to the whole. That is the ultimate perfection of life.” (SB 3.28. 44 Purport)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 