Srila Prabhupada answers – “Is Hatha-Yoga same as Bhakti Yoga?”
All glories to His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Five thousand years ago, a person like Arjuna declined, “Oh, it is not possible for me.” And so many rascals they are trying that yoga system. That is not possible.
Lecture on BG 4.1 — Montreal, August 24, 1968
Prabhupāda: Karma means sense gratification and bhakti-yoga means Kṛṣṇa’s satisfaction.
Devotee: Well, karma-yoga…
Prabhupāda: Karma-yoga means just to dovetail your karma with yoga principles to arrive to the bhakti-yoga.
Devotee: To eventually arrive.
Prabhupāda: Yes. That is karma. That is not bhakti-yoga. But the aim is to arrive at the bhakti-yoga. Is it clear? That’s all. Just try to understand in this way. It is very good.
Devotee (2): Is it the same thing with haṭha-yoga?
Prabhupāda: No, haṭha-yoga is not bhakti-yoga.
Devotee (2): No, but…
Prabhupāda: Haṭha-yoga is a process for making the mind under control if it is properly performed. But generally it is in the name “haṭha-yoga.” I have… Several times… In the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated, haṭha-yoga, how it is to be performed, that you have to perform in a sacred place, alone in a secluded place, sitting like this, seeing like this, eating like this. Who is following those regulations? Nobody is following. So they are, simply it is going on under the name of “yoga,” but actually, nobody is following the principles. That is difficult. That is not possible in this age. Now suppose if you have to perform haṭha-yoga in a secluded place, in a sanctified place and alone. Who is fulfilling these three conditions? Ekākī yata-cittātmā. Ekākī. Ekākī means alone. Śucau deśe. Śucau deśe means very sanctified place. Samaṁ grīvam. This body and the, I mean to say, neck, and the śiraḥ, śiraḥ means this head—they should be in a straight line. And you cannot close your eyes fully. You have to half-close and see the top of your nose. In this way, you sit down always. Never go to sleep. I have seen in my childhood yogi in Calcutta, Kālīghāṭa. He was twenty-four hours sitting. When he was feeling uncomfortable, he had a wooden cot,(?) like that. But he was never sleeping. That is yoga practice. Who is going to do that? It is very difficult. Therefore Arjuna said, “Kṛṣṇa, You are recommending this yoga practice, but it is impossible for me to do.” Five thousand years ago, a person like Arjuna declined, “Oh, it is not possible for me.” And so many rascals they are trying that yoga system. That is not possible. Yes.
Guest (Indian man): …whether my karma or my life is for satisfying senses, how it is going to help for Kṛṣṇa. To connect Kṛṣṇa through devotion. Then you can know…
Prabhupāda: Yes, first of all you have to connect yourself with Kṛṣṇa, then you act according to the direction of Kṛṣṇa.
Guest: And if I surrender to the devotees…?
Prabhupāda: Certainly. Yes.