Favorable Conditions to Resume the Process of Yoga...

Now, what actually happens to the unsuccessful spiritualist, who did not attain the perfection of yoga? Sri Krishna specifically explains,

"The unsuccessful yogi, after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people, or into a family of rich aristocracy. Or he takes his birth in a family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom. Verily, such a birth is rare in this world." (Bg. 6.41-42)

There are many planets in the universe, and on the higher planets there are greater comforts, the duration of life is longer, and the inhabitants are more religious and godly. Since it is said that six months on earth is equal to one day on the higher planets, the unsuccessful yogi stays on these higher planets for many, many years.

Vedic literatures describe their lifetimes as lasting ten thousand years.

So even if one is a failure, he is promoted to these higher planets. But one cannot remain there perpetually. When the fruits or the results of one's pious activities expire, he has to return to earth. Yet even upon returning to this planet, the unsuccessful yogi meets with fortunate circumstances, for he takes his birth in either a very rich family or a pious one.

Generally, according to the law of karma, if one enacts pious deeds, he is rewarded in the next life by birth into a very aristocratic family or into a very wealthy family, or he becomes a great scholar, or he is born very beautiful.

In any case, those who sincerely begin spiritual life are guaranteed human birth in the next life - not only human birth, but birth into either a very pious or a very wealthy family. Thus one with such a good birth should understand that his fortune is due to his previous pious activities and to God's grace.

These facilities are given by the Lord, who is always willing to give us the means to attain Him. Krishna simply wants to see that we are sincere.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is stated that every particular person has his own duty in life, regardless of his position and regardless of his society. If, however, he gives up his prescribed duty and somehow - either out of sentiment or association or craziness or whatever - takes shelter of Krishna, and if, due to his immaturity, he falls from the devotional path, still there is no loss for him.

On the other hand, if a person executes his duties perfectly but does not approach God, then what does he earn?

His life is indeed without benefit. But a person who has approached Krishna is better situated, even though he may fall down from the yogic platform.