SB 12.3.47

SB 12.3.47

Devanagari

यथा हेम्नि स्थितो वह्निर्दुर्वर्णं हन्ति धातुजम् । एवमात्मगतो विष्णुर्योगिनामशुभाशयम् ॥ ४७ ॥

Verse text

yathā hemni sthito vahnir durvarṇaṁ hanti dhātu-jam evam ātma-gato viṣṇur yoginām aśubhāśayam

Synonyms

yathā just as ; hemni in gold ; sthitaḥ situated ; vahniḥ fire ; durvarṇam the discoloration ; hanti destroys ; dhātu jam — due to the taint of other metals ; evam in the same way ; ātma gataḥ — having entered the soul ; viṣṇuḥ Lord Viṣṇu ; yoginām of the yogīs ; aśubha āśayam — the dirty mind .

Translation

Just as fire applied to gold removes any discoloration caused by traces of other metals, Lord Viṣṇu within the heart purifies the minds of the yogīs.

Translation (Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura)

Just as fire situated in gold removes any impurities caused by traces of other metals, Viṣṇu within the heart purifies the minds of the yogīs. Remembrance of the Lord is the only method for purifying the antaḥkaraṇa. Just as fire situated in gold removes the impurities such as copper mixed with it, whereas water or other substances do not, Viṣṇu, situated in their hearts, removes all sins in the yogīs. This does not take place by yama, niyama or other processes.

Purport

Although one may practice the mystic yoga system, his actual spiritual advancement is due to the mercy of the Supreme Lord within the heart; it is not directly the result of his austerity and meditation. If one becomes foolishly proud in the name of yoga, his spiritual position becomes ridiculous.