Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana Book 2 Chapter 2:30-37

Book 2: Chapter 2

Srimad Bhagvata Mahapurana: Book 2: Chapter 2: Verses 30-37 Concentration on the gross and subtle forms of the Lord and the two types of Mukti (Liberation),viz. Kramamukti or gradual Liberation and Sadyomukti or immediate Liberation (Thus reaching beyond the gross and subtle sheaths of the five elements) the Yogi enters the ego. He dissolves the subtle elements into the Tamasika ego, the senses into the Rajasika and the mind as well as the deities presiding over the senses into the Sattvika ego. Then, through the same process (of dissolution) he returns along with the ego to the principle of cosmic intelligence (Mahat-tattva) and finally to Prakrti (in which merge all the three Gunas). Again, during the final dissolution (when Prakrti too merges in God) the Yogi who becomes all-blissful now, merges with that pure blissful form in God, who is perfectly tranquil and bliss itself. Dear Pariksit, he who attains this divinegoal no more returns to this world of matter (transmigration). These, O king, are the two eternal paths recommended by the Vedas, about which you enquired of me. Of yore, when Brahma (the Creator) worshipped Lord Vasudeva (Visnu) and interrogated Him, it was these two paths that were taught to him by the Lord. For him who has fallen into the whirlpool of transmigration there is no blessed path other than that which makes for devotion to Lord Vasudeva. Having critically studied the Vedas with a concentrated mind thrice over, Brahma concluded by force of his reason that alone to be the highest virtue, by which one is able to develop exclusive devotion to Sri Krsna (the Self of the Universe). Lord Sri Han alone is seen as abiding in all (animate and inanimate) beings as their very self; for the intellect and other phenomenal objects are adjuncts that lead us to infer the existence of the Lord, who is the all-witnessing seer. Therefore, O king, men should always and under all circumstances with their whole being listen to, recite and revolve in their mind (the stories of) Lord Sri Hari alone. They who drink in the nectar-like stories of the Lord, the Soul of the universe, poured into the cups of their ears by holy men, are able to purify their heart, which has been contaminated through contact with the pleasures of sense, and attain proximity to His lotus-feet. Thus ends the second discourse entitled 'A Description of the Lord's Divine Form", in Book Two of the great and glorious Bhagavata-Purana, otherwise known as the Paramahamsa-Samhita.