The way to escape from the miserable conditions of material existence is stated in the Sankhya philosophy, and the Lord Himself has come to explain this sublime path.

Verily, one who desires to gain real life, eternal life, must absorb himself in devotional service, or Krishna consciousness.

Addressing his father, the Supreme Lord, Kapila, said:

Whatever I say, directly or through the scriptures, is authoritative in all respects for the inhabitants of this world. In order that this word may become truth, I have come to fulfill this promise.

I have descended into this world to expound the philosophy of sankhya, which is highly esteemed by those who wish to escape the labyrinth of vain material desires for the sake of spiritual realization.

This path of spiritual realization, difficult to understand, has been lost in the course of time. Know that I have appeared in the form of Kapila to reintroduce and explain this philosophy to men anew.

Now, with My approval, go as you wish, and surrender all your actions to Me. Conquering the insurmountable death, worship Me in order to gain eternal life.

Within your innermost being, through your intellect, you will always see Me, the Supreme Soul, shining with My own light and residing in the hearts of all beings. You will thus realize eternal life, free from all affliction and fear.

I will also expound to My mother this sublime knowledge which represents the access to spiritual life, so that she too will attain perfection and spiritual realization, putting an end to the consequences of all selfish acts. Thus, will she also be freed from all material fear.

The Supreme Lord taught his mother and said to her:

Yoga (true yoga is spiritual science. The practice of yoga leads to spiritual perfection. It is the path of communication and union with God) which is concerned with the Lord and the separate soul, aims at the ultimate good of the living entity and brings about detachment from the joys and sorrows of the material world, is the highest form of yoga.

O virtuous mother, I shall now explain to you the ancient science of yoga, the same science which I once revealed to the great sages. This path is practical in every respect.