FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.15.33

अन्तरायान् वदन्त्येता युञ्जतो योगमुत्तमम् । मया सम्पद्यमानस्य कालक्षपणहेतव: ॥ ३३ ॥
antarāyān vadanty etā
[antaraayaan vadanty etaa]
yuñjato yogam uttamam
[yunjato yogam uttamam]
mayā sampadyamānasya
[mayaa sampadyamaanasya]
kāla-kṣapaṇa-hetavaḥ
[kaala-kshapana-hetavah]
antarāyān — impediments vadanti — they say etāḥ — these mystic perfections yuñjataḥ — of one engaging in yogam — connection with the Absolute uttamam — the supreme stage mayā — with Me sampadyamānasya — of one who is becoming completely opulent kāla — of time kṣapaṇa — of the interruption, waste hetavaḥ — causes.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
antarāyān vadanty etā
antarāyān
impediments
vadanti
they say
etāḥ
these mystic perfections
yuñjato yogam uttamam
yuñjataḥ
of one engaging in
yogam
connection with the Absolute
uttamam
the supreme stage
mayā sampadyamānasya
mayā
with Me
sampadyamānasya
of one who is becoming completely opulent
kāla-kṣapaṇa-hetavaḥ
kāla
of time
kṣapaṇa
of the interruption, waste
hetavaḥ
causes.
Learned experts in devotional service state that the mystic perfections of yoga that I have mentioned are actually impediments and are a waste of time for one who is practicing the supreme yoga, by which one achieves all perfection in life directly from Me.

It is common sense that whatever is a useless waste of time should be given up; therefore one should not pray to God for mystic yoga perfections. For a pure devotee, who has no material desire, even impersonal liberation is a useless disturbance in his life, and what to speak of the material perfections of yoga, which cannot even be compared to impersonal liberation. Such mystic perfections may be wonderful for an immature and inexperienced person, but they are not impressive for a learned man who has understood the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Simply by obtaining Lord Kṛṣṇa one dwells within an infinite ocean of mystic opulences; therefore he should not waste precious time pursuing separate mystic perfections.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Learned experts state that the siddhis of yoga are actually impediments. For one who is practicing the supreme yoga, who is absorbed in attaining me, the siddhis are a waste of time. These siddhis are amazing for the ignorant, but not for the wise. For a person who is absorbed in attaining me (māyā), the siddhis are causes of wasting time. Day by day, the wealth in the form of attaining me decreases. Therefore one should spend time on yoga, but not on the siddhis that result from it.
Experts in devotional service say mystic perfections are impediments and a waste of time for one practicing the supreme yoga — direct attainment from the Lord. Powers can distract from the Person.
Reflection Questions
  • Which 'power' am I quietly aiming for that might be a detour?
  • What would direct attainment from the Lord look like?
📝 My note

← Read full Chapter 15