161. What are the characteristics of a self-realized person?
* A person who realizes that he is not the material body but the soul.
The material body is temporary but the soul is eternal, and one who knows this realizes that he (the soul) has been transmigrating from one body to another for countless lifetimes and thus his current body is just one of the millions of bodies he (the soul) has occupied. This means he is not the body but the soul within the body.
* A person who realizes his relationship with the supreme.
The relationship between the living entities and the supreme (God), is that all living entities are part and parcel of the supreme. That means the qualities of all living entities (souls) are the same as those of the supreme. These qualities being eternality, blissfulness, and knowledge.
* A person who realizes that the part is meant to serve the whole.
Just as the hand serves the body, the living entities, who are part of the Supreme, must serve the whole, thus serve the Supreme.
* A person who has given up desires for material possessions and all his activities are done only for the satisfaction of the supreme.
* A person who teaches all the above to others.
A self-realized person is concerned for the welfare of all living beings and thus wants to deliver all living beings back to the spiritual creation, where everyone lives happily eternally.
“The great souls, who have achieved perfection, attain Me [Krishna]. They do not take birth again in this material creation, which is temporary and full of miseries.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 8.15)
162. What are the benefits of Krishna consciousness to the world?
* Non-violence – Krishna conscious people are totally non-violent. No killing (vegetarian)
* Simple people – Krishna conscious people believe in living a simple life (not materialistic)
* No druggies or drunkards – Krishna conscious people are not intoxicated. No drugs or alcohol
* No hatred – Krishna conscious people believe God is the father of all living beings and thus we are all brothers and sisters
* No Gamblers – Krishna conscious people don’t gamble
* Treat all people equally and nicely – Krishna conscious people view all living beings as souls and not physical bodies. Thus, there are no bodily designations, and even the plants and animals have equal rights and are treated like human beings
If you are serious about stopping terrorism, drugs, hatred, global warming, and AIDS, then become Krishna conscious and promote it.
163. How did Krishna prove He was God?
People argue over who God is. First of all, you must know what qualities the applicant for the supreme position should have. These qualities are listed in the question ‘What is God?’ Then compare the pastimes, miracles performed, and statements made by the applicants for the supreme position, and then there will be no doubt who is God and who isn’t.
* Lord Krishna lifted a mountain (Govardhana hill) that is 21km in perimeter and weighing millions of tons for 7 days. Do you know anyone else who has lifted a mountain?
* Lord Krishna expanded his body into 16108 forms. Do you know anyone else who can multiply himself into thousands of identical bodies or even once?
* Lord Krishna swallowed a forest fire to save His friends. Do you know anyone else who has saved his followers in their current life?
* Lord Krishna cured the diseased, including transforming a hunchback woman into a most beautiful woman. Do you know anyone else who has transformed the ugly into beautiful in their current life?
* Lord Krishna brought the dead back to life. Do you know anyone else who has brought back the dead?
Lord Krishna defeated all those who challenged Him including Kamsa, Putana, Bakasura, Kesi, Aghasura, and Sisupala. Do you know anyone else who has defeated all those who challenged?
* Lord Krishna saved all His followers in this life. Do you know anyone else who has saved their followers in their current life? Only a fool would accept a post-dated check.
* Lord Krishna transformed Himself into others. Do you know anyone else who can transform themselves into others?
* Lord Krishna was born fully clothed. Do you know anyone else born with clothes on?
* Lord Krishna has appeared in the same body more than 18,000 times in the current cycle alone. Do you know anyone else who has appeared with the same body this many times or even twice?
* Lord Krishna never looks older than about 16. He is forever youthful, forever beautiful. Do you know anyone else who always looks youthful and beautiful?
Lord Krishna is the greatest Person known to mankind. So why not follow the only proven and seen God?
164. Will Krishna take away my sins?
Lord Krishna won’t take your sins and suffer Himself, because He is God himself, and God does not suffer. This is another difference between God and the living beings. The living beings suffer, but God does not, that’s why God is great and we are not.
By taking shelter of Lord Krishna and abiding by His instructions in the Bhagavad-Gita, you will stop committing sins, do everything for Lord Krishna, instead of yourself, and change your consciousness from material to spiritual. The result of this is that at death, Lord Krishna will release you from all the sinful actions you have taken in millions of lives and transfer you (the soul) to the spiritual abode (Vaikuntha). There you will live in the same body that will be completely beautiful, completely blissful/full of love, full of knowledge, eternal, and face no problems.
“Give up all other religious beliefs and just surrender unto Me [Krishna]. I will release you from all your sins. Do not worry.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.66)
165. Is there a conflict between the teachings of the world religions?
Not really.
It’s due to personal ego and ignorance that humans hate and fight each other in the name of religion. God is the creator of all living beings and He is in full control. Since people have a variety of mentalities, God allows the variety of religions to exist.
People have variety of mentalities, knowledge, ability, and intelligence. Thus people will understand and worship God in different ways. Jesus declared himself as the Son and servant of God, Muhammad declared himself as the servant of God, and Lord Krishna declared and proved Himself as God. So there is no real conflict between the teachings of Christianity, Islam, and Sanatan-Dharma (the Eternal Religion). Those who have no personal ego and are willing to accept the truth will accept Lord Krishna. They are truly surrendered unto God. Those who have hatred towards others or are against the will of God, are the unbelievers and the envious of God.
The Islamic Koran and the Christian Bible do not describe God, but the Bhagavad-Gita and other Vedic scriptures, completely describe God. This is because, God is One, and He is completely known to some and completely unknown to others, based on the qualifications and level of consciousness developed.
The Islamic Koran confirms that we all worship the same One God.
“We believe in that which has been revealed unto us and revealed unto you; our God and your God is One, and unto Him we surrender.” (Koran 29:46)
Jesus declared himself as the servant of God.
Jesus said “My teaching is not my own. It comes from him who sent me” (John 7:16)
Jesus said “I go unto my father: for my father is greater than I” (John 14.28)
Jesus said “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself” (John 5.19)
“All living entities are My eternal fragmental particles. Due to material nature, they are conditioned by the six senses, including the mind, and struggle very hard.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.7)
All living beings are part of the one God.
“In the body, there is also the super soul. He is the master, supreme enjoyer, overseer, and the permitter – The supreme Lord.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 13.23)
God is the master, enjoyer, overseer, and permitter.
“I am transcendental, beyond the fallible and infallible, and because I am the greatest, I am celebrated as the Supreme person, on the material, and spiritual planets, and in the Vedas.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.18)
God is the greatest person in the whole of creation.
“All species of living beings in this material creation appear by taking birth, and I am the seed giving father.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 14.4)
God is the father of all living beings.
“I hate no one. I am equal to all living beings…” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 9.29)
In the eyes of God, all living beings are equal.
“…One who has no enemies among all living beings comes to Me.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 11.55)
“Those who are wise, have real knowledge, understanding, and gentleness. They see with equal vision, a Brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog eater.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 5.18)
Those who see everyone with equal vision and are friendly to all living beings are very dear to God.
166. Are there contradictions in the Vedic Scriptures?
None.
Some people say there are many contradictions in the Vedic scriptures because they give conflicting instructions. The Vedic scriptures come from Lord Krishna (God) and He is also the creator of all humans and thus He knows that not all humans have the same mentalities/abilities. Thus to accommodate the variety of evolved consciousness, Lord Krishna gives instructions that are suitable for each category of humans. This is like the different educational institutions, which are suitable for people will different level of abilities. We have pre-schools, primary schools, intermediate schools, high schools, colleges, universities, and so on. Not every human will be able to acquire the same level of education.
A good example of this is the 18 Puranas which are divided into three parts. Each part is suitable for people in three categories: Goodness (Sattva Guna), Passion (Rajo Guna), and Ignorance (Tamo Guna).
Those who are in the mode of Goodness will be inclined to follow the instructions in the 6 Puranas of
Lord Vishnu: Vishnu Purana, Naradiya Purana, Padma Purana, Garuda Purana, Varaha Purana, and Bhagavata Purana.
Those who are in the mode of Passion will be inclined to follow the instructions in the 6 Puranas of Lord Brahma: Brahmanda Purana, Brahmavaivarta Purana, Markandeya Purana, Bhavishya Purana, Vamana Purana, and Brahma Purana.
Those who are in the mode of Ignorance will be inclined to follow the instructions in the 6 Puranas of Lord Shiva: Matsya Purana, Kurma Purana, Linga Purana, Shiva Purana, Skanda Purana, and Agni Purana.
The Bhagavad-Gita also mentions these three modes of nature: Goodness, Passion, and Ignorance. All human beings are acting in one of these three modes based on their evolved consciousness. It is a fact that not all humans have developed the same level of intelligence, abilities, and consciousness. This can be proven by the fact that not everyone is a doctor, or brain surgeon or rocket scientist. Not everyone is clean to the same degree. Not everyone is truthful to the same degree. Not everyone is kind hearted to the same degree. Not everyone is charitable to the same degree. Not everyone is a criminal. Not everyone is a terrorist and so on.
The human beings have different levels of consciousness, because the consciousness has not evolved to the same level for everyone. Some humans have lower consciousness like the animals and thus they will be inclined to eat meat and some have evolved higher consciousness and thus they would not even touch meat, like the Vaishnavas (followers of the Bhagavad-Gita and Lord Krishna). Thus God has to give differing instructions to accommodate all humans, who all have different abilities and intelligence.
For some humans God is unknown/invisible because they do not have the ability (lower consciousness) to know God and some humans know and can describe in God in full because they have higher level of consciousness. The purpose of these differing instructions, which may seem like contradictions is to slowly elevate each human being to a higher consciousness, and to eventually know Lord Krishna as the absolute truth.
Even in a family, not all the children will behave in the same way or become educated to the same level in the same filed of knowledge. The father knows this very well and will try to help each of his children based on their ability. In a similar way, the Supreme father, Lord Krishna, has provided different levels of instructions to help develop each human being slowly to the highest level of consciousness, which is to know Him as the absolute truth. For some humans it will take many millions of life times to evolve their consciousness to the highest level and some will make it in this life.
If one carefully reads this book, follows the instructions, and understands that Lord Krishna is the absolute truth without any doubt. Then they have attained the perfection of human life. Eventually every soul will arrive at this conclusion, because Lord Krishna is most merciful and will help each and every soul to return back to the spiritual creation where everyone lives in the same body that is completely beautiful, full of knowledge, completely blissful/full of love, eternal, and with no misery. This is one of the main differences between the real God (Lord Krishna) and the so-called Gods of other religions who are completely unknown/invisible and always cursing a life of eternal hell for those who don’t follow their unknown/invisible God.
Those who are intelligent will realize that Lord Krishna is the one true God, and He is completely described. The Gods of the other religions are not described. He is unknown/invisible for them, because God Is One, Lord Krishna.
“Give up all other religious beliefs and just surrender unto Me [Krishna]. I will release you from all your sins. Do not worry.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.66)
In this verse, Lord Krishna is stating that we should abandon the variety of beliefs in the Vedic scriptures, which were created due to different abilities of understanding among people, and completely abandon the non-Vedic beliefs, which are manmade or adulterated Vedic ideologies, and surrender unto Him.
167. What is Theistic and Atheistic?
Theistic means one accepts there is a God and also believes He must be completely described, seen, and proven.
Atheistic means one does not believe in the existence of God or believes God is not described, thus God is unknown/invisible/unseen.
Those who follow ideologies where God is not described are following atheistic ideologies, because God is eternal and thus by now, trillions of years after creation. He must have described Himself to the humans who want to know Him. Why should the eternal God keep Himself unknown/invisible, and unseen? The Vedic scriptures completely describe God and thus those who do not accept Lord Krishna as the Supreme (God), must present another contender with similar details as provided for Lord Krishna. If they cannot then they are basically atheistic because they are rejecting the only contender for the Supreme, Lord Krishna.
168. What are the 2 types of human beings?
There are 2 types of human beings, those who have divine qualities and those who have demoniac qualities. Everyone belongs to one of these types, and anyone can change from type to the other.
“There are two type of human beings in this world, one possessing the divine nature and the other possessing a demoniac nature..” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.6)
The divine qualities are listed in many Bhagavad-Gita verses including 16.1-3. Some of the qualities that are found in those with the divine nature are: Truthfulness, compassion, charity, cleanliness, non-violence, and engaged in spiritual education.
“Pride, arrogance, conceit, anger, harshness, ignorance, and wickedness – these are the marks of those with demoniac nature.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.4)
“Those with the demoniac nature, do not know what is right and what is wrong. Neither cleanliness, nor proper behavior, nor truthfulness is found in them.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 16.7)
169. Why do people change religions/paths?
I have carefully studied why people change from one path to another. It’s due to ignorance and deception from others that makes people change from one path to another. The ideologies of all the different paths are based on the Vedic knowledge but adulterated and many of their teachings are speculative and concoctions (made up). The parents should learn themselves and teach their children the Vedic values directly from the source, the Vedic scriptures. So they become strong and are not easy targets for the deceivers.
“Humility, pridelessness, nonviolence, forgiveness, honesty, simplicity, service to a genuine spiritual master (guru), good thoughts/words and physical cleanliness, steadfastness and self-control, aversion for the objects of sense gratification, absence of ego, constant reflection on the pain and suffering of birth, old age, disease, and death, nonattachment with family members, home, etc., steadiness amid pleasant and unpleasant events, constant and unalloyed devotion to Me [Krishna], taste for solitude, distaste for social gatherings and gossips, steadfastness in acquiring the knowledge of self-realization, and search for the absolute truth— I declare all this to be real knowledge. That which is contrary to this is ignorance. (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 13.8-12)
The origin of all good values is the Bhagavad-Gita and thus one should give all the credit to the Person who has spoken the Bhagavad-Gita, Lord Krishna. All the good values in the scriptures of all the world religions, originate from the Bhagavad-Gita, and thus one should accept Lord Krishna as the Supreme Person, God, and not be deceived by the demoniac who will take the knowledge from the Bhagavad-Gita and give the credit to someone else, completely ignoring the original source.
The atheists will say we don’t need God, but we should be good. The concept of being good, comes from the Bhagavad-Gita, and thus even the atheists should give credit to Lord Krishna, for realizing His teachings.
170. Do we originate from Adam and Eve?
No.
The Abrahamic theory is that we originate from Adam and Eve, who lived around 6000 years ago.
The scientists have proven with genetic science that it’s impossible for the human population of the world to originate from one couple (Adam and Eve). They have also proven that humans have existed for millions and not just 6000 years. The bones of humans dating back to millions of years can be found in museums around the world.
The Vedic theory is that we originate from thousands of couples and not just one, and humans have existed for 155.522 trillion years in the current cosmic cycle. This is explained in detail, in the Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Vedic scriptures. See the “Vedic Theory of Universe Population Creation” chart from the following web site, www.EternalReligion.org
171. Can you describe the Kingdom of God?
Only the Vedic scriptures can answer this question, the non-Vedic scriptures don’t have a clue.
“My supreme abode is not illuminated by the sun, moon, fire, or electricity. Those who go there, never come back to this material creation.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 15.6)
The kingdom of God is called Vaikuntha, the spiritual creation of Lord Krishna.
“The inhabitants of the Vaikuntha planets are described as having a glowing sky-bluish complexion. Their eyes resemble lotus flowers, their dress is of yellowish color, and their bodily features very attractive. They are just the age of growing youths, they all have four hands, they are all nicely decorated with pearl necklaces with ornamental medallions, and they all appear to be effulgent. Some of them are effulgent like coral and diamonds in complexion and have garlands on their heads, blooming like lotus flowers, and some wear earrings. The Vaikuntha planets are also surrounded by various airplanes, all glowing and brilliantly situated. These airplanes belong to the great mahatmas or devotees of the Lord. The ladies are as beautiful as lightning because of their celestial complexions, and all these combined together appear just like the sky decorated with both clouds and lightning.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.9.11-13)
After knowing the above, anyone who is truthful, would immediately surrender unto Lord Krishna so they can go to His kingdom at the end of this short life.
172. Are followers of Lord Krishna most peaceful?
It’s extremely rare for devotees of Lord Krishna to engage in violence in His name or the Bhagavad-Gita. Once someone becomes a devotee of Lord Krishna, the first change is that they stop killing by going vegetarian, and once someone stops being a devotee of Lord Krishna and follows any of the non-Vedic paths, the first change is that they start killing (become meat eaters). If you accept that killing is wrong and want to follow a loving, seen, and proven God, then you should surrender unto Lord Krishna.
“My devotees become righteous, attain lasting peace, and never perish. “Lord Krishna (Bhagavad-Gita 9.31)
You have a choice, you can follow a real, seen, proven, and loving God, Lord Krishna, or you can follow an unproven/invisible/unknown character as God.
173. Why do Hindus have a mark (Tilak) on their forehead?
There are many reasons including:
a) To show that one is a devotee of God and thus reminds one to live a responsible life taking only righteous actions.
b) The Vaishnavas (followers of Lord Krishna) have 2 lines which signify Radha and Krishna and the base which signifies Tulsi.
c) The mark on the forehead signifies that the body is a Temple, because the divine is present within. Lord Krishna is present within the heart of all living beings.
d) The women have a red dot to show that they are married.
174. Why do Arti (ceremony of light)?
The ceremony of light (Arti) involves the following before the deity of God:
a) Waving lighted wicks which are soaked in ghee (purified butter). This signifies light (the truth). The waving is clockwise, just like the clocks. This indicates progression or advancement. Never anti-clockwise, which indicates regression or degradation.
b) Offering water
c) Offering flowers and incense
d) Waving a chamar (wisp) or white cloth
e) The Arti is started and ended with the blowing of a conch-shell
“The mind, intellect, ego, ether, air, fire, water, and earth are the eightfold division of My material energies. “ (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.4)
By performing the Arti, we are offering the five gross material elements of creation to God, to thank and remember Him for everything He has given and done for us. Fire (light), water, earth (flowers), air and space (wisping), are the five gross material elements of creation. The mind, intellect, and ego are the three subtle elements.
The blowing of the conch signifies scarring away bad qualities, awakening the good qualities, and other reasons.
175. Why surrender unto Lord Krishna?
“The divine illusionary energy of Mine [maya] consisting of the three modes of material nature is very difficult to overcome. Those who surrender unto Me can become free from it.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.14)
The three modes of material nature are: Goodness, passion, ignorance.
Maya, is the illusory energy of Lord Krishna, and thus we can only overcome it, by His grace. We all originate from the spiritual creation and due to our own desire, we came to the material creation and the purpose of the illusory energy is to keep us in the material creation, because that was our desire. When we surrender unto Lord Krishna, we slowly transcend beyond the three modes of material nature, become undeterred by maya, and eventually go back to the spiritual creation, our original home.
176. How should one make work, business, or management decisions?
We have to work or engage in some business to eat and pay our bills, this is necessary. But we should do what is ethical, and offer the results of our work to Lord Krishna. At least some of it, in this way we will not get any side effects in life from our work.
a) Focus on the work/business, but without attachment to the results
b) Work hard
c) Don’t be greedy
d) Treat others fairly
e) Keep proper records (accounting, plans, personnel, etc..)
177. For how long can you stand on your one leg to prove your faith?
Millions of followers of Lord Krishna have performed severe penances to prove their faith in Lord Krishna. This included standing straight on one leg with the hands folded for many years and meditating on Lord Krishna. Can any follower of the non-Vedic paths, stand straight on his one leg for many years to prove their faith? Or even for 1 day?
Those who are intelligent will follow these time-tested devotees and follow Sanatan-Dharma and Lord Krishna. It is Lord Krishna who gives His devotees the ability to perform penances.
“I am the taste of water, the light of the moon and sun, the syllable ‘aum’ in the Vedic scriptures, the sound vibration in ether, and the ability in man.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 7.8)
178. Has Lord Krishna already saved people?
Lord Krishna has already appeared and saved His followers millions of times, right here on this planet, and He is so nice. If you can’t make it in this life, then you will get unlimited chances (reincarnation) and you will never be sent to hell eternally. But why waste this life? Just take shelter of Lord Krishna and make this your last miserable life.
There are many examples of Lord Krishna saving His followers:
a) The 5 Pandava brothers were saved so many times. One example, they were on the battlefield for 18 days and although millions of others around them died, the 5 Pandava brothers were untouched.
b) A boy called Prahlad was thrown off a cliff, thrown in fire, attacked with a sword, given poison, but still nothing happened to him, because Lord Krishna was saving him.
c) A 5 year old boy named Druva was in distress and performed severe penances for 6 months, then He saw Lord Krishna, face to Face.
d) A women named Draupadi was disrobed in front of many people, but still she could not be made naked, because Lord Krishna was supplying her with an unlimited length sari.
e) Whenever Lord Krishna appears in Person, He saves His followers, and even when He doesn’t appear in Person. He still saves His pure devotees, because He is omnipresent.
“Those who without deviation, meditate upon Me, worship Me, fix their mind on Me, and become attached to Me, I very quickly deliver them from material existence, which is an ocean of birth, death, and miseries.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 12.6-7)
There is only one person who has actually appeared more than once, appeared more than 18,000 times in His original spiritual body and millions of times in His other spiritual forms. He also declared and proved Himself as God, without any doubt, and saved His followers every time. This is because,
God Is One
179. What abilities does Lord Krishna have?
There are eighteen superior types of mystic siddhis (perfections), and five inferior perfections, which Lord Krishna has in full.
The eight primary perfections are as follows:
1) Anima-siddhi:- The ability to decrease the size of one’s body and become smaller than the smallest particle. Through this siddhi one may enter into stone or change the density in one’s body, enabling one to pass through solid matter.
2) Mahima-siddhi:- The ability to increase the size of one’s body, ultimately enveloping the universe.
3) Laghima-siddhi:- The ability to make one’s body lighter than air and fly at will. The perfection of this siddhi enables one to travel on the sun’s rays and enter into the sun planet.
4) Prapti-siddhi:- The ability to manifest any object one desires within one’s hand. This siddhi removes the limitations of space which separate two objects from each other. It is said one will even be able to touch the moon with one’s finger [i.e. the limitation of distance is removed].
5) Prakamya-siddhi:- The ability to attain anything one desires.
6) Ishita-siddhi:- The ability to control the sub-potencies of the laws of nature. This enables one to control various energies and seemingly defy the laws of nature. On the lowest level, one may make fire come from one’s mouth, etc.
7) Vashita-siddhi:- The ability to bring others under one’s control.
8) Kamavasayita-siddhi:- The ability to attain anything anywhere. This is the highest of the eight and contains most of the abilities of the other perfections.
The ten secondary perfections are as follows:
1) The ability to be free from hunger and thirst. With this perfection one no longer depends on food and water for maintenance of one’s body. One will be able to sustain himself simply on prana, the life air.
2) The ability to hear things far away. With this perfection one can hear any conversation spoken anywhere in the world.
3) The ability to see things far away. With this perfection one develops a mystic vision, by which one can see any person or place. Sanjaya, the disciple of Vyasa, used this siddhi to see and hear the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna (known as Bhagavad-Gita) which took place on the battlefield of Kurukshetra, though he was situated far away.
4) The ability to travel at the speed of the mind. With this perfection one can travel great distances in a moment simply by thinking of the destination.
5) The ability to assume any form one desires. This enables one to change one’s physical body at will.
6) The ability to enter the bodies of others. This perfection enables one to enter into the bodies of others and enjoy through their senses. Since ghosts do not have physical senses, they often resort to this to satisfy their desires through other’s bodies.
7) The ability to control the time of one’s death. With this perfection one may choose the time of leaving his body.
8) The ability to witness the pastimes between the demigods and the celestial girls called apsaras.
9) Satya-sankalpa:- Perfect accomplishment of one’s determination. Whatever one desires to happen will happen.
10) Satya-yak:- Giving orders that are unimpeded. With this perfection one’s very word is truth. Simply by saying something it occurs.
Besides the eighteen superior perfections, there are five inferior perfections as follows:
1) The ability to know past, present and future.
2) The ability to tolerate heat, cold and other dualities.
3) The ability to know the minds of others.
4) The ability to check the influence of fire, water, poison, and weapons.
5) The ability to remain unconquered by others.
Reference: Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 11, chapter 15: Lord Krsna’s Description of Mystic Yoga Perfections
These eighteen superior mystic perfections and the five inferior perfections are the potencies of Lord Krishna, who is called Yogesvara, the Master of all mystic perfections. Anyone who claims to be God, must exhibit all these perfections, and if he cannot then he is not God, but an imposter. Lord Krishna is the only Person who has exhibited all these perfections, not just once, but millions of times. This is because, He is the only God.
Lord Krishna gives some of these mystic perfections to His pure devotees who want them. The Srimad-Bhagavatam and other Vedic scriptures, give details on how one can acquire some of these mystic perfections. Those who have acquired one or more of these perfections are called mystic yogis, and these yogis have been seen walking on water, flying, transporting themselves from one place to another within a few seconds, materializing objects, changing forms, predicting the future, bringing back the dead, seeing the dead in their new life and so on. In the past, there were millions of mystic yogis, but now very few, as the potency has been reduced due to the influence of Kali Yuga.
“Wherever there is Yogeshvar, the master of all yogis, and wherever there is Arjuna, the expert archer, there will be opulence, power, victory, and morality.” (Sanjaya to Dhrtarastra, Bhagavad-Gita 18.78)
180. Is acquiring spiritual knowledge Bhakti?
Yes.
By reading or listening to the Bhagavad-Gita or any Vedic scripture, this is considered performing Bhakti, devotional service unto Lord Krishna.
“Those who study this sacred dialogue of ours are worshipping Me with the yagna of knowledge.” (Lord Krishna, Bhagavad-Gita 18.70)
“Knoweldge is the cause of liberation and ignorance is the cause of bondage to material life.” (Lord Krishna, Uddhava Gita).
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