Now the author of the sutras will reveal the way the soul can become free from these illusions. The author says:
Sutra 28
Using the intelligence's power of discrimination, one can become free from these illusions.
Commentary by Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura
Here the word 'tatah' means 'from the two previously described illusions', 'muktih' means 'the individual souls attain freedom', and 'vivekena' means 'by understanding the truth of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the individual spirit soul.'
In the Brhad-aranyaka Upanisad (4.4.12) it is said:
"If a person knows the true nature of the soul, and if he thinks, 'I am spirit', then what will he desire in this material world? How will he become attached to his material body?"
In the Mundaka Upanisad (2.2.9) it is said:
"Thus the knot in the heart is pierced and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the self as master."
The wise transcendentalists are described in these words of Bhagavad-gita (4.33 and 39):
"O chastiser of the enemy, the sacrifice of knowledge is greater than the sacrifice of material possessions. O son of Prtha, after all, the sacrifice of work culminates in transcendental knowledge."
"A faithful man who is absorbed in transcendental knowledge, and who subdues his senses, quickly attains the supreme spiritual peace."
============
Many people practice tai chi, chi gong, and so on with the aim of keeping their bodies fit for a long time. There is certainly nothing wrong with keeping one’s body fit—indeed, it is one of the aims of yoga—but unfortunately, many such people are trying to run away from the inevitable death of the body. Some mystic yogis strive to keep their bodies alive forever—but that is not possible. Even if one was the greatest yogi and could keep his body alive for thousands of years, that still is not forever.
Siddhaswarupananda - Jagad Guru Speaks
============
In the Bhagavad-gita (16.16 and 16.21) the Lord also declares:
"Thus perplexed by various anxieties and bound by a network of illusions, one becomes too strongly attached to sense enjoyment and falls down into hell."
"There are three gates leading to this hell: lust, anger, and greed. Every sane man should give these up, for they lead to the degradation of the soul."*
In the Bhagavad-gita (7.16) the Lord also declares:
"O best among the Bharatas (Arjuna), four kinds of pious men render devotional service unto Me: the distressed, the desirer of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute."
In Srimad Bhagavatam (1.8.25), Queen Kunti tells Lord Krsna:
"I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths."
In the Narada-pancaratra, Second Night, Second Chapter, it is said:
"By associating with the devotees of Sri Krsna, one attains unwavering, unmotivated, blissful devotional service, service that eventually allows one to serve Lord Krsna directly.
"As a tender new sprout on vines or trees grows with the rains and withers with the scorching sunshine, so a new sprout on the tree of devotional service grows by conversing with devotees and withers by conversing with non devotees."
In Bhagavad-gita (4.34) the Supreme Personality of Godhead says:
"Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self realised soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth."
In Bhagavad-gita (7.3), the Supreme Personality of Godhead again says:
"Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavour for perfection, and out of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth."
In Bhagavad-gita (7.19) the Supreme Personality of Godhead again says:
"After many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare."
