Question: The end of purport to SB 6.1.1 reads – “Yogis, however, instead of directly going to the spiritual world, sometimes want to see other planetary systems. …At the time of dissolution, Lord Brahma, along with all the inhabitants of Brahmaloka, goes directly to the spiritual world.”
I have doubts here.
a) The yogis do not have unalloyed bhakti. So how can they go back to Godhead at the time of dissolution?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
As mentioned in the verse itself, the statement above by Maharaj Pariksit refers back to the discussion on nivrtti-marga in the Second Canto (Chapter 2), which describes the yogic process of meditation on the Lord in the heart. By fixing his mind on the form of Paramatma feature of Lord Vishnu, the yogi is enabled to attain the spiritual world or gradually transfer himself to the higher planets up to Satyaloka. (SB 2.2.25, 26, 27, and 28). This system of yoga is similar to Dhyana yoga as outlined in Chapter 6 of Bhagavad-gita.
As we know, there are three aspects of Absolute Truth, viz. Brahman, Paramatma and Bhagavan. The object of meditation and worship for the yogis is generally the Paramatma or Hiranyagarbha feature of the Lord. Such yogis do not attain direct association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vaikuntha planets, but remain in Brahmaloka for the duration of Brahma’s life, and attain liberation along with him. (Cf. SB 3.32.8)
As pointed out by Arjuna himself, although authoritative, this process is very difficult and practically not viable in this age. The recommended process for self-realization in Kali yuga, which is simultaneously also the most sublime method, is hari-nama-sankirtana.
