FolioCorpusŚrīmad-Bhāgavatam

Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.5.16

नारायणपरो योगो नारायणपरं तप: । नारायणपरं ज्ञानं नारायणपरा गति: ॥ १६ ॥
nārāyaṇa-paro yogo
[naaraayana-paro yogo]
nārāyaṇa-paraṁ tapaḥ
[naaraayana-param tapah]
nārāyaṇa-paraṁ jñānaṁ
[naaraayana-param jnaanam]
nārāyaṇa-parā gatiḥ
[naaraayana-paraa gatih]
nārāyaṇa-paraḥ — just to know Nārāyaṇa yogaḥ — concentration of mind nārāyaṇa-param — just with an aim to achieve Nārāyaṇa tapaḥ — austerity nārāyaṇa-param — just to realize a glimpse of Nārāyaṇa jñānam — culture of transcendental knowledge nārāyaṇa-parā — the path of salvation ends by entering the kingdom of Nārāyaṇa gatiḥ — progressive path.
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
nārāyaṇa-paro yogo
nārāyaṇa-paraḥ
just to know Nārāyaṇa
yogaḥ
concentration of mind
nārāyaṇa-paraṁ tapaḥ
nārāyaṇa-param
just with an aim to achieve Nārāyaṇa
tapaḥ
austerity
nārāyaṇa-paraṁ jñānaṁ
nārāyaṇa-param
just to realize a glimpse of Nārāyaṇa
jñānam
culture of transcendental knowledge
nārāyaṇa-parā gatiḥ
nārāyaṇa-parā
the path of salvation ends by entering the kingdom of Nārāyaṇa
gatiḥ
progressive path.
All different types of meditation or mysticism are means for realizing Nārāyaṇa. All austerities are aimed at achieving Nārāyaṇa. Culture of transcendental knowledge is for getting a glimpse of Nārāyaṇa, and ultimately salvation is entering the kingdom of Nārāyaṇa.

In meditation, there are two systems of yoga, namely aṣṭāṅga-yoga and sāṅkhya-yoga. Aṣṭāṅga-yoga is practice in concentrating the mind, releasing oneself from all engagements by the regulative processes of meditation, concentration, sitting postures, blocking the movements of the internal circulation of air, etc. Sāṅkhya-yoga is meant to distinguish the truth from ephemerals. But ultimately both systems are meant for realizing the impersonal Brahman, which is but a partial representation of Nārāyaṇa, the Personality of Godhead. As we have explained before, the impersonal Brahman effulgence is only a part of the Personality of Godhead. Impersonal Brahman is situated on the person of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and, as such, Brahman is the glorification of the Personality of the Godhead. This is confirmed both in the Bhagavad-gītā and in the Matsya Purāṇa. Gati refers to the ultimate destination, or the last word in liberation. Oneness with the impersonal brahmajyoti is not ultimate liberation; superior to that is the sublime association of the Personality of Godhead in one of the innumerable spiritual planets in the Vaikuṇṭha sky. Therefore the conclusion is that Nārāyaṇa, or the Personality of Godhead, is the ultimate destination for all kinds of yoga systems as well as all kinds of liberation.

— A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura Gauḍīya
Translation
Yoga is dependent on Nārāyaṇa. Austerity is dependent on Nārāyaṇa. Knowledge is dependent on Nārāyaṇa. Liberation is dependent on Nārāyaṇa.
Commentary

Gatiḥ means liberation.

Meditation, austerity, learning, and liberation are all aimed — knowingly or not — at Nārāyaṇa. Even impersonal practices ultimately rest on Him. The goal is not just to escape matter, but to enter loving association with the Person.
Reflection Questions
  • Am I content with merging or quieting, or do I want personal relationship with the Source?
  • If every practice I do points toward Nārāyaṇa, what should I adjust today?
📝 My note

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