View source for There are so many rules and regulations for the hatha-yoga system that it is practically impossible to perform it in this age

<div id="compilation">
<div id="facts">
{{terms|"There are so many rules and regulations for the haṭha-yoga system that it is practically impossible to perform it in this age"}}
{{notes|}}
{{compiler|Angela}}
{{complete|ALL}}
{{first|2020-10-25T14:30:57Z}}
{{last|2020-10-25T14:30:57Z}}
{{totals_by_section|BG=0|SB=1|CC=0|OB=0|Lec=0|Con=0|Let=0}}
{{total|1}}
{{toc right}}
[[Category:There Are]]
[[Category:So Many]]
[[Category:Rules and Regulations]]
[[Category:Hatha-yoga]]
[[Category:System]]
[[Category:That]]
[[Category:It Is]]
[[Category:Practically]]
[[Category:Impossible]]
[[Category:Perform]]
[[Category:In This Age]]
[[Category:Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 04 Chapter 24 Purports - Chanting the Song Sung by Lord Siva]]
[[Category:Srimad Bhagavatam, Canto 04 Purports]]
</div>
<div id="section">
<h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2>
</div>
<div id="sub_section">
<h3>SB Canto 4</h3>
</div>
<div class="quote">
<div class="quote_heading">
In the haṭha-yoga system one has to practice bodily exercises, dhyāna, dhāraṇā, āsana, meditation, etc. One also has to sit in one place in a particular posture and concentrate his gaze on the tip of the nose. There are so many rules and regulations for the haṭha-yoga system that it is practically impossible to perform it in this age. The alternative system of bhakti-yoga is very easy not only in this age but in others as well, for this yoga system was advocated long ago by Lord Śiva when he advised the princes, the sons of Mahārāja Prācīnabarhiṣat.
</div>

<div class="quote_link">
[[Vanisource:SB 4.24.71|SB 4.24.71, Translation and Purport]]
</div>
<div class="quote_translation">
My dear princes, in the form of a prayer I have delineated the yoga system of chanting the holy name. All of you should take this important stotra within your minds and promise to keep it in order to become great sages. By acting silently like a great sage and by giving attention and reverence, you should practice this method.
</div>
<div class="text">
<div class="purport">

In the haṭha-yoga system one has to practice bodily exercises, dhyāna, dhāraṇā, āsana, meditation, etc. One also has to sit in one place in a particular posture and concentrate his gaze on the tip of the nose. There are so many rules and regulations for the haṭha-yoga system that it is practically impossible to perform it in this age. The alternative system of bhakti-yoga is very easy not only in this age but in others as well, for this yoga system was advocated long ago by Lord Śiva when he advised the princes, the sons of Mahārāja Prācīnabarhiṣat. The bhakti-yoga system is not newly introduced, for even five thousand years ago Lord Kṛṣṇa recommended this bhakti-yoga as the topmost yoga. As Kṛṣṇa tells Arjuna in Bhagavad-gītā ([[Vanisource:BG 6.47 (1972)|BG 6.47]]):

<div class="quote_verse">
:yoginām api sarveṣāṁ</dd><dd>mad-gatenāntarātmanā</dd><dd>śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ</dd><dd>sa me yuktatamo mataḥ
</div>

"Of all yogīs, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all."

The topmost yogī is he who constantly thinks of Kṛṣṇa within himself and chants the glories of the Lord. In other words, this system of bhakti-yoga has been existing from time immemorial and is now continuing in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.

The word muni-vratāḥ is significant in this regard because those who are interested in advancing in spiritual life must be silent. Silence means talking only of kṛṣṇa-kathā. This is the silence of Mahārāja Ambarīṣa:

<div class="quote_verse">
:sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayor</dd><dd>vacāṁsi vaikuṇṭha-guṇānuvarṇane
</div>

"King Ambarīṣa always fixed his mind on the lotus feet of the Lord and talked of Him only." ([[Vanisource:SB 9.4.18-20|SB 9.4.19]]) We should also take this opportunity in life to become as good as a great saint simply by not talking unnecessarily with unwanted persons. We should either talk of Kṛṣṇa or chant Hare Kṛṣṇa undeviatingly. This is called muni-vrata. The intelligence must be very sharp (samāhita-dhiyaḥ) and should always be acting in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The words etad abhyasatādṛtāḥ indicate that if one takes these instructions from a spiritual master with great reverence (ādṛta) and practices them accordingly, he will find this bhakti-yoga process to be very, very easy.

</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>