श्रीभगवानुवाच
अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः
स संन्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः
അനാശ്രിതഃ കര്മഫലം കാര്യം കര്മ കരോതി യഃ
സ സംന്യാസീ ച യോഗീ ച ന നിരഗ്നിര്ന ചാക്രിയഃ
śrībhagavānuvāca
anāśritaḥ karmaphalaṃ kāryaṃ karma karoti yaḥ
sa saṃnyāsī ca yogī ca na niragnirna cākriyaḥ
English Translation
The Blessed Lord said He who performs an action which is his duty, without depending on the result of action, he is a monk and a yogi; (but) not (so in) he who does not keep a fire and is actionless.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Actions such as Agnihotra? etc.? performed without the expectation of their fruits purify the mind and become the means to Dhyana Yoga or the Yoga of Meditation.Karyam Karma bounden duty.Niragnih without fire. He who has renounced the daily rituals like Agnihotra? which are performed with the help of fire.Akriya without action. He who has renounced austerities and other meritorious acts like building resthouses? charitable dispensaries? digging wells? feeding the poor? etc.Sannyasi he who has renounced the fruits of his actions.Yogi he who has a steady mind. These two terms are applied to him in a secondary sense only. They are not used to denote that he is in reality a Sannyasi and a Yogi.The Sannyasi performs neither Agnihotra nor other ceremonies. But simply to omit these without genuine renunciation will not make one a real Sannyasi. (Cf.V.3)
यं संन्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव
न ह्यसंन्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन
യം സംന്യാസമിതി പ്രാഹുര്യോഗം തം വിദ്ധി പാണ്ഡവ
ന ഹ്യസംന്യസ്തസങ്കല്പോ യോഗീ ഭവതി കശ്ചന
yaṃ saṃnyāsamiti prāhuryogaṃ taṃ viddhi pāṇḍava
na hyasaṃnyastasaṅkalpo yogī bhavati kaścana
English Translation
That which they call monasticism, know that to be Yoa, O Pandava, For, nobody who has not given up expectations can be a yogi.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Sankalpa is the working of the imagining faculty of the mind that makes plans for the future and guesses the results of plans so formed. No one can become a Karma Yogi who plans and schemes and expects fruits for his actions. No devotee of action who has not renounced the thought of the fruits of his actions can become a Yogi of steady mind. The thought of the fruits will certainly make the mind unsteady.Lord Krishna eulogises Karma Yoga here because it is the means or an external aid (Bahiranga Sadhana) to Dhyana Yoga. Karma Yoga is a steppingstone to Dhyana Yoga. It leads to the Yoga of Meditation in due course. In order to encourage the practice of Karna Yoga it is stated here that Karma Yoga is Sannyasa. (Cf.V.4)
आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते
योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते
ആരുരുക്ഷോര്മുനേര്യോഗം കര്മ കാരണമുച്യതേ
യോഗാരൂഢസ്യ തസ്യൈവ ശമഃ കാരണമുച്യതേ
ārurukṣormuneryogaṃ karma kāraṇamucyate
yogārūḍhasya tasyaiva śamaḥ kāraṇamucyate
English Translation
For the sage who wishes to ascend to (Dhyana-) yoga, action is said to be the means. For that person, when he has ascended to (Dhyana-)yoga, inaction alone is said to be the means.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
For a man who cannot practise meditation for a long time and who is not able to keep his mind steady in meditation? action is a means to get himself enthroned in Yoga. Action purifies his mind and makes the mind fit for the practice of steady meditation. Action leads to steady concentration and meditation.For the sage who is enthroned in Yoga? Sama or renunciation of actions is said to be the means.The more perfectly he abstains from actions? the more steady his mind is? and the more peaceful,he is? the more easily and thoroughly does his mind get fixed in the Self. For a Brahmana there is no wealth like unto the knowledge of oneness and homogeneity (of the Self in all beings)? truthfulness? good character? steadiness? harmlessness? straightforwardness and renunciation of all actions. (Mahabharata? Santi Parva? 175.38)
यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते
सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते
യദാ ഹി നേന്ദ്രിയാര്ഥേഷു ന കര്മസ്വനുഷജ്ജതേ
സര്വ്വസങ്കല്പസംന്യാസീ യോഗാരൂഢസ്തദോച്യതേ
yadā hi nendriyārtheṣu na karmasvanuṣajjate
sarvasaṅkalpasaṃnyāsī yogārūḍhastadocyate
English Translation
Verily, [Verily: This word emphasizes the fact that, since attachment to sense objects like sound etc. and to actions is an obstacle in the path of Yoga, therefore the removal of that obstruction is the means to its attainment.] when a man who has given up thought about everything does not get attached to sense-objects or acitons, he is then said to be established in Yoga.
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Explanation · English
Yogarudha he who is enthroned or established in Yoga. When a Yogi? by keeping the mind ite steady? by withdrawing it from the objects of the senses? has attachment neither for sensual objects such as sound? nor for the actions (Karmas? Cf. notes to V.13)? knowing that they are of no use to him when he has renounced all thoughts which generate various sorts of desires for the objects of this world and of the next? then he is said to have become a Yogarudha.Do not think of senseobjects. The desires will die by themselves. How can you free yourself from thinking of the objects Think of God or the Self. Then you can avoid thinking of the objects. Then you can free yourself from thinking of the objects of the senses.Renunciation of thoughts implies that all desires and all actions should be renounced? because all desires are born of thoughts. You think first and then act (strive) afterwards to possess the objects of your desire for enjoyment.Whatever a man desires? that he willsAnd whatever he wills? that he does. -- Brihadaranyaka Upanishad? 4.4.5Renunciation of all actions necessarily follows from the renunciation of all desires.O desire I know where thy root lies. Thou art born of Sankalpa (thought). I will not think of thee and thou shalt cease to exist along with the root. -- Mahabharata? Santi Parva? 177.25Indeed desire is born of thought (Sankalpa)? and of thought? Yajnas are born. -- Manu Smriti? II.2
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः
ഉദ്ധരേദാത്മനാത്മാനം നാത്മാനമവസാദയേത്
ആത്മൈവ ഹ്യാത്മനോ ബന്ധുരാത്മൈവ രിപുരാത്മനഃ
uddharedātmanātmānaṃ nātmānamavasādayet
ātmaiva hyātmano bandhurātmaiva ripurātmanaḥ
English Translation
One should save oneself by oneself; one should not lower oneself. For oneself is verily one's onw friend; oneself is verily one's own enemy.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Practise Yog. Discipline the senses and the mind. Elevate yourself and become a Yogarudha. Attain to Yoga. Shine gloriously as a dynamic Yogi. Do not sink into the ocean of Samsara (transmigration). Do not become a wordlyminded man. Do not become a slave of lust? greed and anger. Rise above worldliness? become divine and attain Godhead.You alone are your friend you alone are your enemy. The socalled worldly friend is not your real friend? because he gets attached to you? wastes your time and puts obstacles on your path of Yoga. He is very selfish and keeps friendship with you only to extract something. If he is not able to get from you the object of his selfish interest? he forsakes you. Therefore he is your enemy in reality. If you are attached to your friend on account of delusion or affection? this will become a cause of your bondage to Samsara.Friends and enemies are not outside. They exist in the mind only. It is the mind that makes a friend an enemy and an enemy a friend. Therefore the Self alone is the friend of oneself? and the Self alone is the enemy of oneself. The lower mind or the Asuddha Manas (impure mind) is your real enemy because it binds you to the Samsara? and the higher mind or the Sattvic mind (Suddha Manas or the pure mind) is your real friend? because it helps you in the attainment of Moksha.
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्
ബന്ധുരാത്മാത്മനസ്തസ്യ യേനാത്മൈവാത്മനാ ജിതഃ
അനാത്മനസ്തു ശത്രുത്വേ വര്തേതാത്മൈവ ശത്രുവത്
bandhurātmātmanastasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ
anātmanastu śatrutve vartetātmaiva śatruvat
English Translation
Of him, by whom has been conered his very self by the self, his self is the friend of his self. But, for one who has not conered his self, his self itself acts inimically like an enemy.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Coner the lower mind through the higher mind. The lower mind is your enemy. The higher mind is your friend. If you make friendship with the higher mind you can subdue the lower mind ite easily. The lower mind is filled with Rajas and Tamas (passion and darkness). The higher mind is filled with Sattva or purity.The Self is the friend of one who is selfcontrolled? and who has subjugated the lower mind and the senses. But the Self is an enemy of one who has no selfrestraint? and who has not subdued the lower mind and the senses. Just as an external enemy does harm to him? so also his own (lower) self (mind) does harm to him. The lower mind injures him severely. The highest Self or Atman is the primary Self. Mind also is self. This is the secondary self.
जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु तथा मानापमानयोः
ജിതാത്മനഃ പ്രശാന്തസ്യ പരമാത്മാ സമാഹിതഃ
ശീതോഷ്ണസുഖദുഃഖേഷു തഥാ മാനാപമാനയോഃ
jitātmanaḥ praśāntasya paramātmā samāhitaḥ
śītoṣṇasukhaduḥkheṣu tathā mānāpamānayoḥ
English Translation
The supreme Self of one who has control over the aggregate of his body and organs, and who is tranil, becomes manifest. (He should be eipoised) [These words are supplied to complete the sentence.] in the midst of cold and heat, happiness and sorrow, as also honour and dishonour.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The selfcontrolled Yogi who is rooted in the Self keeps poise amidst the pairs of opposites (Dvandvas) or the alternating waves of cold and heat? pleasure and pain? honour and dishonour. When the Yogi has subdued his senses? when his mind is balanced and peaceful under all conditions? when he is not in the least influenced by the pairts of opposites? when he has renounced all actions? then the Highest Self really becomes his own Self. He attains to Selfrealisation. As he rests in hiw own Self? he is ever serene or tranil he is not affected by the pairs of opposites? and he stands as adamant in the face of the changing conditions of Nature.
ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रियः
युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः
ജ്ഞാനവിജ്ഞാനതൃപ്താത്മാ കൂടസ്ഥോ വിജിതേന്ദ്രിയഃ
യുക്ത ഇത്യുച്യതേ യോഗീ സമലോഷ്ടാശ്മകാഞ്ചനഃ
jñānavijñānatṛptātmā kūṭastho vijitendriyaḥ
yukta ityucyate yogī samaloṣṭāśmakāñcanaḥ
English Translation
One whose mind is satisfied with knowledge and realization, who is unmoved, who has his organs under control, is sadi to be Self-absorbed. The yogi treats eally a lump of earth, a stone and gold.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Jnana is ParokshaJnana or theoretical knowledge from the study of the scriptures. Vijnana is Visesha Jnana or Aparoksha Jnana? i.e.? direct knowledge of the Self through Selfrealisation (spiritual experience or Anubhava).Kutastha means changeless like the anvil. Various kinds of iron pieces are hammered and shaped on the anvil? but the anvil remains unchanged. Even so the Yogi remains unshaken or unchanged or unaffected though he comes in contact with the senseobjects. So he is called Kutastha. Kutastha is another name of Brahman? the silent witness of the mind. (Cf.V.18VI.18)
सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु
साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते
സുഹൃന്മിത്രാര്യുദാസീനമധ്യസ്ഥദ്വേഷ്യബന്ധുഷു
സാധുഷ്വപി ച പാപേഷു സമബുദ്ധിര്വിശിഷ്യതേ
suhṛnmitrāryudāsīnamadhyasthadveṣyabandhuṣu
sādhuṣvapi ca pāpeṣu samabuddhirviśiṣyate
English Translation
He excels who has sameness of view with regard to a benefactor, a friend, a foe [Ari (foe) is one who does harm behind one's back.], a neutral, an arbiter, the hateful, [Dvesyah is one who openly hateful.] a relative, good people and even sinners.
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Explanation · English
He excels He is the best among the Yogarudhas.Samabudhhi is eanimity or evenness of mind. A Yogi of Samabuddhi has eal vision. He is ite impartial. He is the same to all. He makes no difference with reference to caste? creed or colour. He loves all as his own self? as rooted in the Self.A goodhearted man does good to others without expecting any servie from them in return.Udasina is one who is ite indifferent.A neutral is one who does not join any of the two contending parties. He stands as a silent spectator or witness.The righteous are those who do righteous actions and follow the injunctions of the scriptures.The unrighteous are those who do wrong and forbidden actions? who inure others and who do not follow the scriptures.
योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः
യോഗീ യുഞ്ജീത സതതമാത്മാനം രഹസി സ്ഥിതഃ
ഏകാകീ യതചിത്താത്മാ നിരാശീരപരിഗ്രഹഃ
yogī yuñjīta satatamātmānaṃ rahasi sthitaḥ
ekākī yatacittātmā nirāśīraparigrahaḥ
English Translation
A yogi should constantly concentrate his mind by staying in a solitary place, alone, with mind and body controlled, free from expectations, (and) free from acisition.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The Yogi who treads the path of renunciation (NivrittiMarga) can practise meditation in a solitary cave in the mountains. He should renounce all possessions.A householder with Yogic tendencies and spiritual inclination? can practise meditation in a solitary and iet room in his own house or any solitary place on the banks of any holy river (during the holidays or throughout the year if he is a wholetime aspirant or if he has retired from service).The practice must be constant. Only then can one attain Selfrealisation surely and ickly. He who practises meditation by fits and starts and for a few minutes daily will not be able to achieve any tangible results in Yoga. The Yogic aspirant should be free from hope? desire and greed. Only then will he have a steady mind. Hope? desire and greed make the mind ever restless and turbulent. They are the enemies of peace and Selfknowledge. The aspirant should not have many possessions either. He can only keep those articles which are absolutely necessary for the maintenance of his body. If there are many possessions? the mind will be ever thinking of them and attempting to protect them.It you are well established in the practice of Pratyahara? Sama and Dama (withdrawal of the senses? control of mind and the body respectively)? if you have the senses under your full control? you can find perfect solitude and peace even in the most crowded and noisy place of a big city. If the senses are turbulent? if you have not got the power to withdraw them? you will have no peace of mind even in a solitary cave of the Himalayas. A disciplined Yogi who has controlled the senses and the mind can enjoy peace of mind in a solitary cave. A passionate man who has not controlled the senses and the mind will only be building castles in the air if he lives in a solitary cave in a mountain.He who has reduced his wants? who has not a bit of attraction for the world? who has,discrimination and burning aspiration for liberation? and who has observed Mauna (the vow of silence) for months together will be able to live in a cave.You should have perfect control over the body through the regular practice of Yoga Asanas before you take to serious and constant meditation.Aparigraha means noncovetousness? freedom from possessions.The spiritual aspirant need not bother himself about his bodily needs. Everything is provided by God. Everything is prearranged by Mother Nature. She looks after the bodily needs of all very carefully in a more efficient manner than they themselves would do. She knows beter what the reirements are and provides them then and there. Understand the mysterious ways of Mother Nature and become wise. Be grateful to Her for Her unie kindness? grace and mercy.If you want to retire into solitue for the practice of meditation? and if you are a householder with a thirst for intense spiritual Sadhana? you cannot all of a sudden sever your connection with your family. Sudden severance of worldly ties may produce intense mental agony in you and shock in them. You will have to break the ties gradually. Stay for a week or a month in seclusion to begin with. Then gradually prolong the period. They will not feel the pangs of separation from you.As your will has become very weak? as you had no religious discipline or training in schools and colleges when you were young? and as you are under the sway of materialistic influences? it is necessary for you to go in for seclusion for some days or weeks (during the Chritstmas? Easter or other holidays) to practise rigorous Japa and meditation and to develop your willpower.Those who have fixed up their sons in life and who have retired from service? and who have discharged their duties as householders can remain in seclusion for four or five years and practise intense meditation and Tapas (penance) for selfpurification and Selfrealisation. This is like entering a university for higher studies or postgraduate course of study. When the Tapas is over? and when they have attained to Selfknowledge? they should come out and share their knowledge of the Self with others through lectures? conversations? discourses or hearttoheart talks according to their capacity and disposition.How can sensecontrol be tested in a lonely forest where there are no temptations The Yogic student living in a cave should test himself after he has sufficiently advanced? by coming into the society of people. But he should not test himself every now and then like the man who removed the young plant daily after watering it to see whether it had struck deep root or not.
शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम्
ശുചൌ ദേശേ പ്രതിഷ്ഠാപ്യ സ്ഥിരമാസനമാത്മനഃ
നാത്യുച്ഛ്രിതം നാതിനീചം ചൈലാജിനകുശോത്തരം
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiramāsanamātmanaḥ
nātyucchritaṃ nātinīcaṃ cailājinakuśottaram
English Translation
Having firmly established in a clean place his seat, neither too high nor too low, and made of cloth, skin and kusa-grass, placed successively one below the other;
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
In this verse the Lord has prescribed the external seat for practising meditation. Details of the pose are given in verse 13.Spread the Kusagrass on the ground first. Over this spread a tigerskin or deerskin over this spread a white cloth.Sit on a naturally clean spot? such as the bank of a river. Or? make the place clean? wherever you want to practise meditation.
तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः
उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये
തത്രൈകാഗ്രം മനഃ കൃത്വാ യതചിത്തേന്ദ്രിയക്രിയഃ
ഉപവിശ്യാസനേ യുഞ്ജ്യാദ്യോഗമാത്മവിശുദ്ധയേ
tatraikāgraṃ manaḥ kṛtvā yatacittendriyakriyaḥ
upaviśyāsane yuñjyādyogamātmaviśuddhaye
English Translation
(and) sitting on that seat, he should concentrate his mind for the purification of the internal organ, making the mind one-pointed and keeping the actions of the mind and senses under control.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The self means the mind. The real Supreme Self is the Atma. This is Primary (Mukhya). Mind also is the self. But this is used in a secondary sense (Gauna). Mukhya Atma is Brahman or the highest Self. Gauna Atma is the mind.Make the mind onepointed by collecting all its dissipated rays by the practice of Yoga. Withdraw it from all senseobjects again and again and try to fix it steadily on your Lakshya or point of meditation or centre. Gradually you will have concentration of the mind or onepointedness. You must be very regular in your practice. Only then will you succeed. Regularity is of paramount importance. You should know the ways and habits of the mind through daily introspection? selfanalysis or selfexamination. You should have a knowledge of the laws of the mind. Then it will be easy for you to check the wandering mind. When you sit for meditation? and when you deliberately attempt to forget the worldly objects? all sorts of worldly thoughts will crop up in your mind and disturb your meditation. You will be ite astonished. Old thoughts that you entertained several years ago? and old memories of past enjoyments will bubble up and force the mind to wander in all directions. You will find that the trapdoor of the vast subconscious mind is opened or the lid of the storehouse of thoughts within is lifted up and the thoughts gush out in a continous stream. The more you attempt to still them? the more they will bubble up with redoubled force and strength.Be not discouraged. Nil desperandum. Never despair. Through regular and constant meditation you can purify the subconscious mind and its constant memories. The fire of meditation will burn all thoughts. Be sure of this. Meditation is a potent antidote to annihilate the poisonous worldly thoughts. Be assured of this.Meditation on the immortal Self will act like a dynamite and blow up all thoughts and memories in the conscious mind. If the thoughts trouble you much? do not try to suppress them by force. Be a silent witness as in a bioscope. They will subside gradually. Then try to root them out through regual silent meditation.During introspection you can clearly observe the rapid shifting of the mind from one line of thought to another. Herein lies a chance for you to mould the mind properly and direct the thoughts and the mental energy in the divine channel. You can rearrange the thoughts and make new associations on a new Sattvic basis. You can throw out wordly and useless thoughts. Just as you remove the weeds and throw them out? you can throw these out? and you can cultivate sublime? divine thoughts in the divine garden of your mind. This is a very patient work. This is a stupendous task indeed. But for a Yogi of determination who has the grace of the Lord and an iron will it is nothing.Calm the bubbling emotions? sentiments? instincts and impulses gradually through silent meditation. You can give a new orientation to your feelings by gradual and systematic practice. You can entirely transmute your wordly nature into divine nature. You can exercise supreme control over the nervecurrents? muscles? the five sheaths (of the Self)? emotions? impulses and instincts through meditation.
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्
സമം കായശിരോഗ്രീവം ധാരയന്നചലം സ്ഥിരഃ
സംപ്രേക്ഷ്യ നാസികാഗ്രം സ്വം ദിശശ്ചാനവലോകയന്
samaṃ kāyaśirogrīvaṃ dhārayannacalaṃ sthiraḥ
samprekṣya nāsikāgraṃ svaṃ diśaścānavalokayan
English Translation
Holding the body, head and neck erect and still, being steady, looking at the tip of his own nose-and not looking around;
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The Lord describes here the pose or Asana and the Drishti (gaze) in this verse.You cannot practise meditation without a firm seat. If the body is unsteady? the mind will also become unsteady. There is an intimate connection between the body and the mind.You should not shake the body even a bit. You should attain mastery over the Asana (AsanaJaya) by daily practice. You should be as firm as a statue or a rock. If you keep the body? head and neck erect? the spinal cord also will be erect and the Kundalini will rise up steadily through the subtle nervechannel (Nadi) called the Sushumna. Sit in the lotus pose or the adept pose. This will help you in maintaining the nervous eilibrium and mental poise. You should steadily direct your gaze towards the tip of your nose. This is known as the Nasikagra Drishti. The other gaze is the Bhrumadhya Drishti or gazing between the two eyrows where the psychic centre known as the Ajna Chakra is situated. This is described in chapter V? verse 27. In Bhrumadhya Drishti direct the gaze towards the Ajna Chakra with closed eyes. If you practise this with open eyes? it may produce headache. Foreign particles or dust may fall into the eyes. There may be distraction of the mind also. Do not strain the eyes. Practise gently. When you practise concentration at the tip of the nose you will experience DivyaGandha (various aromas). When you concentrate your gaze at the Ajna Chakra you will experience DivyaJyotis (perception of supraphenomenal lights). This is an experience to give you encouragement? push you up in the spiritual path and convince you of the existence of transcendental or supraphysical things. Do not stop your Sadhana. Yogins and those Bhaktas who meditate on Lord Siva concentrate on the Ajna Chakra with the Bhrumadhya Drishti. You can select whichever Drishti suits you best.Though the gaze is directed towards the tip of the nose when the eyes are halfclosed and the eyalls are steady the mind should be fixed only on the self. Therefore you will have to gaze? as it were? at the tip of the nose. In chapter VI? verse 25? the Lord says Having made the mind abide in the Self? let him not think of anything. Gazing at the tip of the nose will soon bring about concentration of the mind.Whichever be the point selected? visualise your own tutelary deity there and feel His Living Presence.
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः
मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः
പ്രശാന്താത്മാ വിഗതഭീര്ബ്രഹ്മചാരിവ്രതേ സ്ഥിതഃ
മനഃ സംയമ്യ മച്ചിത്തോ യുക്ത ആസീത മത്പരഃ
praśāntātmā vigatabhīrbrahmacārivrate sthitaḥ
manaḥ saṃyamya maccitto yukta āsīta matparaḥ
English Translation
He should remain seated with a placid mind, free from fear, firm in the vow of a celibate, and with the mind fixed on Me by controlling it through concentration, having Me as the supreme Goal.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The spiritual aspirant should possess serenity of mind. The Divine Light can descend only in a serene mind. Serenity is attained by the eradication of Vasanas or desires and cravings. He should be fearless. This is the most important alification. A timid man or a coward is very far from Selfrealisation.A Brahmachari (celibate) should serve his Guru or the spiritual preceptor wholeheartedly and should live on alms. This also constitutes the BrahmachariVrata. The aspirant should control the modifications of the mind. He should be balanced in pleasure and pain? heat and cold? honour and dishonour. He should ever think of the Lord and take Him as the Supreme Goal.Brahmacharya also means continence. Semen or the vital fluid tones the nerves and the brain? and energises the whole system. That Brahmachari who has preserved this vital force by the vow,of celibacy and sublimated it into Ojas Sakti or radiant spiritual power can practise steady meditation for a long period. Only he can ascend the ladder of Yoga. Without Brahmacharya or celibacy not an iota or spiritual progress is possible. Continence is the very foundation on which the superstructure of meditation and Samadhi can be built up. Many persons waste this vital energy -- a great spiritual treasure indeed -- when they become blind and lose their power of reason under sexual excitement. Pitiable is their lot They cannot make substantial progress in Yoga.
युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः
शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति
യുഞ്ജന്നേവം സദാത്മാനം യോഗീ നിയതമാനസഃ
ശാന്തിം നിര്വാണപരമാം മത്സംസ്ഥാമധിഗച്ഛതി
yuñjannevaṃ sadātmānaṃ yogī niyatamānasaḥ
śāntiṃ nirvāṇaparamāṃ matsaṃsthāmadhigacchati
English Translation
Concentrating the mind thus for ever, the yogi of controlled mind achieves the Peace which culminates in Liberation and which abides in Me.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Thus in the manner prescribed in the previous verse.The Supreme Self is an embodiment of peace. It is an ocean of peace. When one attains to the supreme peace of the Eternal? by controlling the modifications of the mind and keeping it always balanced? he attains to liberation or perfection.
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः
न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन
നാത്യശ്നതസ്തു യോഗോഽസ്തി ന ചൈകാന്തമനശ്നതഃ
ന ചാതിസ്വപ്നശീലസ്യ ജാഗ്രതോ നൈവ ചാര്ജുന
nātyaśnatastu yogo.asti na caikāntamanaśnataḥ
na cātisvapnaśīlasya jāgrato naiva cārjuna
English Translation
But, O Arjuna, Yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who does not eat at all; neither for one who habitually sleeps too long, nor surely for one who keeps awake.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
In this verse the Lord prescribes the diet for the students of Yoga. You must observe moderation in eating and sleeping. If you eat too much you will feel drowsy? and sleep will overpower you. You will get indigestion? flatulence? diseases of the bowels and the liver. If you eat too little you will get weakness and you will not be able to sit for a long time in meditation. You should eat neither more nor less than what is actually necessary for maintaining the body in a healthy and strong state.It may mean also that success in Yoga is not possible for him who eats more than the antity prescribed in the text books on Yoga. They prescribe Half the stomach must be filled with food a arter with water and the remaining fourth must be empty for the free movement of air. This is the Mitahara or moderate diest for a student of Yoga.If you sleep too much you will become lethargic. The mind will be dull and the body will be heavy. You cannot meditate. If you sleep too little you will experience drowsiness. You will sleep during meditation. Keep the golden medium. You will have rapid progress in Yoga.
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा
യുക്താഹാരവിഹാരസ്യ യുക്തചേഷ്ടസ്യ കര്മസു
യുക്തസ്വപ്നാവബോധസ്യ യോഗോ ഭവതി ദുഃഖഹാ
yuktāhāravihārasya yuktaceṣṭasya karmasu
yuktasvapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkhahā
English Translation
Yoga becomes a destroyer of sorrow of one whose eating and movements are regulated, whose effort in works is moderate, and whose sleep and wakefulness are temperate.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
In this verse the Lord prescribes for the student of Yoga? diet? recreation and th like. The student of Yoga should always adopt the happy medium or the middle course. Lord Buddha went to the extremes in the beginning in matters of food? drink? etc. He was very abstemious and became extremely weak. He tortured his body very much. Therefore he was not able to attain to success in Yoga. Too much of austerity is not necessary for Selfrealisation. This is condemned by the Lord in chapter XVII? verses 5 and 6. Austerity should not mean selftorture. Then it becomes diabolical. The Buddi Yoga of Krishna is a wise approach to austerity. Some aspirants take asceticism as the goal it is only the means but not the end. The nervous system is extremely,sensitive. It responds even to very slight changes and causes distraction of the mind. It is? therefore? very necessary that you should lead a very regulated and disciplined life and should be moderate in food? sleep and recreation. Take measured food. Sleep and wake up at the prescribed time. Sleeo at 9 or 10 p.m. and get up at 3 or 4 a.m. Only then will you attain to success in Yoga which will kill all sorts or pains and sorrows of this life.
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते
निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा
യദാ വിനിയതം ചിത്തമാത്മന്യേവാവതിഷ്ഠതേ
നിഃസ്പൃഹഃ സര്വ്വകാമേഭ്യോ യുക്ത ഇത്യുച്യതേ തദാ
yadā viniyataṃ cittamātmanyevāvatiṣṭhate
niḥspṛhaḥ sarvakāmebhyo yukta ityucyate tadā
English Translation
A man who has become free from hankering for all desirable objects is then said to be Self-absorbed when the controlled mind rests in the Self alone.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Perfectly controlled mind The mind with onepointedness.When all desires for the objects of pleasure seen or unseen die? the mind becomes very peaceful and rests steadily in the Supreme Self within. As the Yogi is perfectly harmonised? as he has attained to oneness with the Self and as he has become identical with Brahman? sense phenomena and bodily affections do not disturb him. He is conscious of his immortal? imperishable and invincible nature.Yukta means united (with the Self) or harmonised or balanced. Without union with the Self neither harmony nor balance nor Samadhi is possible. (Cf.V.23VI.8)
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः
യഥാ ദീപോ നിവാതസ്ഥോ നേംഗതേ സോപമാ സ്മൃതാ
യോഗിനോ യതചിത്തസ്യ യുഞ്ജതോ യോഗമാത്മനഃ
yathā dīpo nivātastho neṅgate sopamā smṛtā
yogino yatacittasya yuñjato yogamātmanaḥ
English Translation
As a lamp kept in a windless place does not flicker, such is the simile thought of for the yogi whose mind is under control, and who is engaged in concentration on the Self.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
This is a beautiful simile. Yogins ote this simile very often when they talk of concentration or steadiness or onepointedness of the mind. A steady mind will serve as a powerful searchlight to find out the hidden spiritual treasures of the Self.
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया
यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति
യത്രോപരമതേ ചിത്തം നിരുദ്ധം യോഗസേവയാ
യത്ര ചൈവാത്മനാത്മാനം പശ്യന്നാത്മനി തുഷ്യതി
yatroparamate cittaṃ niruddhaṃ yogasevayā
yatra caivātmanātmānaṃ paśyannātmani tuṣyati
English Translation
At the time when the mind restrained through the practice of Yoga gets withdrawn, and just when by seeing the Self by the self one remains contented in the Self alone [A.G. construes the word eva (certainly) with tusyati (remains contented).-Tr.];
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The verses 20? 21? 22 and 23 must be taken together.When the mind is completely withdrawn from the objects of the senses? supreme peace reigns within the heart. When the mind becomes ite steady by constant and protracted practice of concentration the Yogi beholds the Supreme Self by the mind which is rendered pure and onepointed and attains to supreme satisfaction in the Self within.
सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम्
वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः
സുഖമാത്യന്തികം യത്തദ് ബുദ്ധിഗ്രാഹ്യമതീന്ദ്രിയം
വേത്തി യത്ര ന ചൈവായം സ്ഥിതശ്ചലതി തത്ത്വതഃ
sukhamātyantikaṃ yattad buddhigrāhyamatīndriyam
vetti yatra na caivāyaṃ sthitaścalati tattvataḥ
English Translation
When one experienece that absolute Blisss which can be intuited by the intellect and which is beyond the senses, and being established (thus) this person surely does not swerve from Reality;
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The Infinite Bliss of the Self (which is beyond the reach of the senses) can be grasped (realised) by the pure intellect independently of the senses. During deep meditation the senses cease to function? as they are involved into their cause? the mind. The intellect is rendered pure by the practice of Yama (selfrestriant) and Niyama (observances and disciplinary practices) and constant meditation.
यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः
यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते
യം ലബ്ധ്വാ ചാപരം ലാഭം മന്യതേ നാധികം തതഃ
യസ്മിന്സ്ഥിതോ ന ദുഃഖേന ഗുരുണാപി വിചാല്യതേ
yaṃ labdhvā cāparaṃ lābhaṃ manyate nādhikaṃ tataḥ
yasminsthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate
English Translation
Obtaining which one does not think of any other acisition to be superior to that, and being established in which one is not perturbed even by great sorrow;
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Which the gain or the realisation of the Self or the immortal Soul.Wherein in the allblissful Self which is free from delusion and sorrow. The Self is allfull and selfcontained. All the desires are fulfilled when one attains Selfrealisation. That is the reason why the Lord says There is no other acisition superior to Selfrealisation. If one gets himself established in the Supreme Self within? he cannot be shaken every by heavy sorrow and pain? because he is mindless and he is identifying himself with the sorrowless and painless Brahman. One can experience pain and sorrow when he identifies himself with the body and the mind. If there is no mind there cannot be any pain. When one is under chloroform he feels no pian even when his hand is amputated? because the mind is withdrawn from the body.
तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम्
स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा
തം വിദ്യാദ് ദുഃഖസംയോഗവിയോഗം യോഗസംജ്ഞിതം
സ നിശ്ചയേന യോക്തവ്യോ യോഗോഽനിര്വ്വിണ്ണചേതസാ
taṃ vidyād duḥkhasaṃyogaviyogaṃ yogasaṃjñitam
sa niścayena yoktavyo yogo.anirviṇṇacetasā
English Translation
One should know that severance of contact with sorrow to be what is called Yoga. That Yoga has to be practised with perservance and with an undepressed heart.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
In verses 20? 21 and 22 the Lord describes the benefits of Yoga? viz.? perfect satisfaction by resting in the Self? infinite unending bliss? freedom from sorrow and pain? etc. He further adds that this Yoga should be practised with a firm conviction and iron determination and with nondepression of heart. A spiritual aspirant with a wavering mind will not able to attain success in Yoga. He will leave the practice when he meets with some obstacles on the path. The practitioner must also be bold? cheerful and selfreliant.
सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः
मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः
സങ്കല്പപ്രഭവാന്കാമാംസ്ത്യക്ത്വാ സര്വ്വാനശേഷതഃ
മനസൈവേന്ദ്രിയഗ്രാമം വിനിയമ്യ സമന്തതഃ
saṅkalpaprabhavānkāmāṃstyaktvā sarvānaśeṣataḥ
manasaivendriyagrāmaṃ viniyamya samantataḥ
English Translation
By totally eschewing all desires which arise from thoughts, and restraining with the mind itself all the organs from every side;
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Without reserve The mind is so diplomatic that it keeps certain desires for its secret gratification. Therefore you should completely abandon all desires without reservation.Desire is born of imagination (Sankalpa). Therefore destroy the Sankalpa first. If the imagination is annihilated first then the desires will die by themselves. Mark here All the senses must be controlled from all sides by the mind. Even if one sense is turbulent in one direction it will distract the mind often and often. The senses will be absorbed in the mind by the constant practice of abstraction (Pratyahara). Then the mind will not think of the objects of sensepleasure and will become perfectly calm.That mind which is endowed with a strong discrimination and dispassion will be able to control the whole ground (or group) of the senses from their objects in all directions. Therefore cultivate strong Viveka or discrimination between the Real and the unreal and also Vairagya or total dispassion for sensual pleasures. (Cf.II.62)
शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया
आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत्
ശനൈഃ ശനൈരുപരമേദ് ബുദ്ധ്യാ ധൃതിഗൃഹീതയാ
ആത്മസംസ്ഥം മനഃ കൃത്വാ ന കിഞ്ചിദപി ചിന്തയേത്
śanaiḥ śanairuparamed buddhyā dhṛtigṛhītayā
ātmasaṃsthaṃ manaḥ kṛtvā na kiñcidapi cintayet
English Translation
One should gradually withdraw with the intellect endowed with steadiness. Making the mind fixed in the Self, one should not think of anything whatsoever.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The practitioner of Yoga should attain tranillity gradually or by degrees? by,means of the intellect controlled by steadiness. The peace of the Eternal will fill the heart gradually with thrill and bliss through the constant and protracted practice of steady conentration. He should make the mind constantly abide in the Self within through ceaseless practice. If anyone constantly thinks of the immortal Self within? the mind will cease to think of the objects of sensepleasure. The mental energy should be directed along the spiritual channel by Atmachintana or constant contemplation on the Self.
यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम्
ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत्
യതോ യതോ നിശ്ചരതി മനശ്ചഞ്ചലമസ്ഥിരം
തതസ്തതോ നിയമ്യൈതദാത്മന്യേവ വശം നയേത്
yato yato niścarati manaścañcalamasthiram
tatastato niyamyaitadātmanyeva vaśaṃ nayet
English Translation
(The yogi) should bring (this mind) under the subjugation of the Self Itself, by restraining it from all those causes whatever due to which the restless, unsteady mind wanders away.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
In this verse the Lord gives the method to control the mind. Just as you drag the bull again and again to your house when it runs out? so also you will have to drag the mind to your point or centre or Lakshya again and again when it runs towards the external objects. If you give good cotton seed extract? sugar? plantains? etc.? to the bull? it will not turn away but will remain in your house. Even so if you make the mind taste the eternal bliss of the Self within little by little by the practice of concentration? it will gradually abide in the Self only and will not run towards the external objects of the senses. Sound and the other objects only make the mind restless and unsteady. By knowing the defects of the objects of sensual pleasure? by understanding their illusory nature? by the cultivation of discrimination between the Real and the unreal and also dispassion? and by making the mind understand the glory and the splendour of the Self you can wean the mind entirely away from sensual objects and fix it firmly on the Self.
प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम्
उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम्
പ്രശാന്തമനസം ഹ്യേനം യോഗിനം സുഖമുത്തമം
ഉപൈതി ശാന്തരജസം ബ്രഹ്മഭൂതമകല്മഷം
praśāntamanasaṃ hyenaṃ yoginaṃ sukhamuttamam
upaiti śāntarajasaṃ brahmabhūtamakalmaṣam
English Translation
Supreme Bliss comes to this yogi alone whose mind has become perfectly tranil, whose (ality of) rajas has been eliminated, who has become identified with Brahman, and is taintless.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
In this verse and in the next also the Lord describes the benefits of Yoga.Supreme (eternal? unalloyed and uninterrupted) bliss comes to the Yogi whose mind is perfectly serene? who has calmed his passionate nature? who has destroyed all sorts of attachments? who has attained knowledge of the Self and thus become a Jivanmukta or one who is liberated while living? who feels that all is Brahman only? and who is taintless? i.e.? who is not affected by Dharma or Adharma (good or evil).
युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी विगतकल्मषः
सुखेन ब्रह्मसंस्पर्शमत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते
യുഞ്ജന്നേവം സദാത്മാനം യോഗീ വിഗതകല്മഷഃ
സുഖേന ബ്രഹ്മസംസ്പര്ശമത്യന്തം സുഖമശ്നുതേ
yuñjannevaṃ sadātmānaṃ yogī vigatakalmaṣaḥ
sukhena brahmasaṃsparśamatyantaṃ sukhamaśnute
English Translation
By concentrating his mind constantly thus, the taintless yogi easily attains the absolute Bliss of contact with Brahman.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
By Yogic practices such as the withdrawal of the senses? concentration and meditation he loses contact with the objects of the senses and comes into contact with Brahman or the immortal Self within and thus enjoys the Infinite Bliss of Brahman.Sensual pleasures are transitory or fleeting but the bliss of Brahman is uninterrupted? undecaying and everlasting. That is the reason why one should attempt to realise the Self within.The Yogi removes the obstacles that stand in the way of obtaining union with the Lord and thus always keeps the mind steady in the Self.
सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि
ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः
സര്വ്വഭൂതസ്ഥമാത്മാനം സര്വ്വഭൂതാനി ചാത്മനി
ഈക്ഷതേ യോഗയുക്താത്മാ സര്വ്വത്ര സമദര്ശനഃ
sarvabhūtasthamātmānaṃ sarvabhūtāni cātmani
īkṣate yogayuktātmā sarvatra samadarśanaḥ
English Translation
One who has his mind Self-absorbed through Yoga, and who has the vision of sameness every-where, see this Self existing in everything, and every-thing in his Self.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The Yogi beholds through the eye of intuition (JnanaChakshus or DivyaChakshus) oneness or unity of the Self everywhere. This is a sublime and magnanimous vision indeed. He feels? All indeed is Brahman. He beholds that all beings are one with Brahman and that the Self and Brahman are identical.
यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति
तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति
യോ മാം പശ്യതി സര്വ്വത്ര സര്വ്വം ച മയി പശ്യതി
തസ്യാഹം ന പ്രണശ്യാമി സ ച മേ ന പ്രണശ്യതി
yo māṃ paśyati sarvatra sarvaṃ ca mayi paśyati
tasyāhaṃ na praṇaśyāmi sa ca me na praṇaśyati
English Translation
One who sees Me in everything, and sees all things in Me-I do not out of his vision, and he also is not lost to My vision.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
In this verse the Lord describes the effect of the vision of the unity of the Self or oneness.He who sees Me? the Self of all? in all beings? and everything (from Brahma the Creator down to the blade of grass) in Me? I am not lost to him? nor is he lost to Me. I and the sage or seer of unity of the Self become identical or one and the same. I never leave his presence nor does he leave My presence. I never lose hold of him nor does he lose hold of Me. I dwell in him and he dwells in Me.
सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः
सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते
സര്വ്വഭൂതസ്ഥിതം യോ മാം ഭജത്യേകത്വമാസ്ഥിതഃ
സര്വ്വഥാ വര്തമാനോഽപി സ യോഗീ മയി വര്തതേ
sarvabhūtasthitaṃ yo māṃ bhajatyekatvamāsthitaḥ
sarvathā vartamāno.api sa yogī mayi vartate
English Translation
That yogi who, being established in unity, adores Me as existing in all things, he exist in Me-in whatever condition he may be.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
He who has dissolved all duality in the underlying unity? who is thus established in unity? who worships Me? i.e.? who has realised Me as the Self of all? dwells always in Me? whatever his mode of living may be. He is ever liberated.Sadana lived in God though he was a butcher because his mind was ever fixed at the lotus feet of the Lord.
आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन
सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं स योगी परमो मतः
ആത്മൌപമ്യേന സര്വ്വത്ര സമം പശ്യതി യോഽര്ജുന
സുഖം വാ യദി വാ ദുഃഖം സ യോഗീ പരമോ മതഃ
ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṃ paśyati yo.arjuna
sukhaṃ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṃ sa yogī paramo mataḥ
English Translation
O Arjuna, that yogi is considered the best who judges what is happiness and sorrow in all beings by the same standard as he would apply to himself.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
He sees that whatever is pleasure or pain to himself is also pleasure or pain to all other beings. He does not harm anyone. He is ite harmless. He wishes good to all. He is compassionate to all creatures. He has a very soft and large heart. He sees thus eality everywhere as he is endowed with the right knowlede of the Self? as he beholds the Self only everywhere? and as he is established in the unity of the Self. Therefore he is considered as the highest among all Yogis. (Cf.VI.47)
अर्जुन उवाच
योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्तः साम्येन मधुसूदन
एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात्स्थितिं स्थिराम्
യോഽയം യോഗസ്ത്വയാ പ്രോക്തഃ സാമ്യേന മധുസൂദന
ഏതസ്യാഹം ന പശ്യാമി ചഞ്ചലത്വാത്സ്ഥിതിം സ്ഥിരാം
arjuna uvāca
yo.ayaṃ yogastvayā proktaḥ sāmyena madhusūdana
etasyāhaṃ na paśyāmi cañcalatvātsthitiṃ sthirām
English Translation
Arjuna said O Madhusudana (Krsna), this Yoga that has been spoken of by You as sameness, I do not see its steady continuance, owing to the restlessness (of the mind).
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
As the mind is restless? impetuous and unsteady I find it difficult to practise this Yoga of eanimity declared by Thee. O my Lord? I cannot have steady concentration of the mind? as it wanders here and there in the twinkling of an eye.
चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद् दृढम्
तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम्
ചഞ്ചലം ഹി മനഃ കൃഷ്ണ പ്രമാഥി ബലവദ് ദൃഢം
തസ്യാഹം നിഗ്രഹം മന്യേ വായോരിവ സുദുഷ്കരം
cañcalaṃ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad dṛḍham
tasyāhaṃ nigrahaṃ manye vāyoriva suduṣkaram
English Translation
For, O Krsna, the mind is unsteady, turbulent, strong and obstinate. I consider its control to be as greatly difficult as of the wind.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The mind constantly changes its objects and so it is ever restless.Krishna is derived from Krish which means to scrape. He scrapes all the sins? evils? and the causes of evil from the hearts of His devotees. Therefore He is called Krishna.The mind is not only restless but also turbulent or impetuous? strong and obstinate. It produces violent agitation in the body and the senses. The mind is drawn by the objects in all directions. It works always in conjunction with the five senses. It is drawn by them to the five kinds of objects. Therefore it is ever restless. It enjoys the five kinds of sensobjects with the help of these senses and the body. Therefore it makes them subject to external influences. It is even more difficult to control it than to control the wind. The mind is born of Vayutanmatra (wind rootelement). That is the reason why it is as restless as the wind.
श्रीभगवानुवाच
असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम्
अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते
അസംശയം മഹാബാഹോ മനോ ദുര്നിഗ്രഹം ചലം
അഭ്യാസേന തു കൌന്തേയ വൈരാഗ്യേണ ച ഗൃഹ്യതേ
śrībhagavānuvāca
asaṃśayaṃ mahābāho mano durnigrahaṃ calam
abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate
English Translation
The Blessed Lord said O mighty-armed one, undoubtedly the mind is untractable and restless. But, O son of Kunti, it is brought under control through practice and detachment.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The constant or repeated effort to keep the wandering mind steady by constant meditation on the Lakshya (centre? ideal? goal or object of meditation) is Abhyasa or practice. The same idea or thought of the Self or God is constantly repeated. This constant repetition destroys Vikshepa or the vacillation of the mind and desires? and makes it steady and onepointed.Vairagya is dispassion or indifference to senseobjects in this world or in the other? here or hereafter? seen or unseen? heard or unheard? achieved through constantly looking into the evil in them (DoshaDrishti). You will have to train the mind by constant reflection on the immortal? allblissful Self. You must make the mind realise the transitory nature of the wordly enjoyments. You must suggest to the mind to look for its enjoyment not in the perishable and changing external objects but in the immortal? changeless Self within. Gradually the mind will be withdrawn from the external objects.
असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः
वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः
അസംയതാത്മനാ യോഗോ ദുഷ്പ്രാപ ഇതി മേ മതിഃ
വശ്യാത്മനാ തു യതതാ ശക്യോഽവാപ്തുമുപായതഃ
asaṃyatātmanā yogo duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ
vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyo.avāptumupāyataḥ
English Translation
My conviction is that Yoga is difficult to be attained by one of uncontrolled mind. But it is possible to be attained through the (above) means by one who strives and has a controlled mind.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Uncontrolled self he who has not controlled the senses and the mind by the constant practice of dispassion and meditation. Selfcontrolled he who has controlled the mind by the constant practice of dispassion and meditation. He can attain Selfrealisation by the right means and constant endeavour.
अर्जुन उवाच
अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः
अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति
അയതിഃ ശ്രദ്ധയോപേതോ യോഗാച്ചലിതമാനസഃ
അപ്രാപ്യ യോഗസംസിദ്ധിം കാം ഗതിം കൃഷ്ണ ഗച്ഛതി
arjuna uvāca
ayatiḥ śraddhayopeto yogāccalitamānasaḥ
aprāpya yogasaṃsiddhiṃ kāṃ gatiṃ kṛṣṇa gacchati
English Translation
Arjuna said O krsna, failing to achieve perfection in Yoga, what goal does one attain who, though possessed of faith, is not diligent and whose mind becomes deflected from Yoga?
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
He has faith in the efficacy of Yoga but he is not able to control the senses and the mind. He has no concentration of mind. His mind wanders away when the last breath departs from his body and he loses the memory also. Having failed to achieve perfection in Yoga? i.e.? Selfrealisation or the knowledge of the Self? what path will he tread? and what end will such a man,meet
कच्चिन्नोभयविभ्रष्टश्छिन्नाभ्रमिव नश्यति
अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि
കച്ചിന്നോഭയവിഭ്രഷ്ടശ്ഛിന്നാഭ്രമിവ നശ്യതി
അപ്രതിഷ്ഠോ മഹാബാഹോ വിമൂഢോ ബ്രഹ്മണഃ പഥി
kaccinnobhayavibhraṣṭaśchinnābhramiva naśyati
apratiṣṭho mahābāho vimūḍho brahmaṇaḥ pathi
English Translation
Swami Gambirananda did not comment on this sloka
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Dr.S.Sankaranarayan did not comment on this sloka
एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः
त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते
ഏതന്മേ സംശയം കൃഷ്ണ ഛേത്തുമര്ഹസ്യശേഷതഃ
ത്വദന്യഃ സംശയസ്യാസ്യ ഛേത്താ ന ഹ്യുപപദ്യതേ
etanme saṃśayaṃ kṛṣṇa chettumarhasyaśeṣataḥ
tvadanyaḥ saṃśayasyāsya chettā na hyupapadyate
English Translation
O Krsna, You should totally eradicate this doubt of mine. For, none other than Yourself can be the dispeller of this doubt!
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
There can be no better teacher than Thee for Thou art the omniscient Lord. Thou alone canst dispel this doubt. A Rishi (seer)? a Deva (god)? or a Muni (sage) will not be able to destroy this doubt.
श्रीभगवानुवाच
पार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते
न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्चिद् दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति
പാര്ഥ നൈവേഹ നാമുത്ര വിനാശസ്തസ്യ വിദ്യതേ
ന ഹി കല്യാണകൃത്കശ്ചിദ് ദുര്ഗതിം താത ഗച്ഛതി
śrībhagavānuvāca
pārtha naiveha nāmutra vināśastasya vidyate
na hi kalyāṇakṛtkaścid durgatiṃ tāta gacchati
English Translation
The Blessed Lord said O Partha, there is certainly no ruin for him here or hereafter. For, no one engaged in good meets with a deplorable end, My son!
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
He who has not succeeded in attaining to perfection in Yoga in this birth will not be destroyed in this world or in the next world. Surely he will not take a birth lower than the present one. What will he attain, then? This is described by the Lord in verses 41, 42, 43 and 44.
Tata: son. A disciple is regarded as a son.
प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः
शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते
പ്രാപ്യ പുണ്യകൃതാം ലോകാനുഷിത്വാ ശാശ്വതീഃ സമാഃ
ശുചീനാം ശ്രീമതാം ഗേഹേ യോഗഭ്രഷ്ടോഽഭിജായതേ
prāpya puṇyakṛtāṃ lokānuṣitvā śāśvatīḥ samāḥ
śucīnāṃ śrīmatāṃ gehe yogabhraṣṭo.abhijāyate
English Translation
Attaining the worlds of the righteous, and residing there for eternal years, the man fallen from Yoga is born in the house of the pious and the properous.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Yogabhrashta one who has fallen from Yoga? i.e.? one who was not able to attain perfection in Yoga? or one who climbed a certain height on the ladder of Yoga but fell down on account of lack of dispassion or slackness in the practice (by becoming a victim to Maya or his turbulent senses).The righteous Those who tread the path of truth? who do virtuous actions such as charity? Yajna? rituals? worship of the Lord? and who act in accordance with the prescribed rules of the scriptures.Everlasting years means only a considerably long period but not absolutely everlasting.The pure those who lead a pure? moral life those who have a pure heart (free from jealousy? hatred? pride? greed? etc.). (Cf.IX.20?21)
अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम्
एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम्
അഥവാ യോഗിനാമേവ കുലേ ഭവതി ധീമതാം
ഏതദ്ധി ദുര്ലഭതരം ലോകേ ജന്മ യദീദൃശം
athavā yogināmeva kule bhavati dhīmatām
etaddhi durlabhataraṃ loke janma yadīdṛśam
English Translation
Or he is born in the family of wise yogis [Persons possessing knowledge of Brahman. (S. concedes that some rare householders also can have this knowledge, and he cites the instances of Vasistha, Agastya, Janaka and Asvapati of olden days, and Vacaspati and the author of Khanada of recent times.)] only. Such a birth as is of this kind is surely more difficult to get in the world.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
A birth in a family of wise Yogis is more difficult to obtain than the one mentioned in the preceding verse.
तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं लभते पौर्वदेहिकम्
यतते च ततो भूयः संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन
തത്ര തം ബുദ്ധിസംയോഗം ലഭതേ പൌര്വദേഹികം
യതതേ ച തതോ ഭൂയഃ സംസിദ്ധൌ കുരുനന്ദന
tatra taṃ buddhisaṃyogaṃ labhate paurvadehikam
yatate ca tato bhūyaḥ saṃsiddhau kurunandana
English Translation
There he becomes endowed with that wisdom acired in the previous body. and he strives more than before for perfection, O scion of the Kuru dynasty.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
When he takes a human body again in this world his previous exertions and practice in the path of Yoga are not wasted. They bear full fruit now? and hasten his moral and spiritual evolution.Our thoughts and actions are left in our subconscious minds in the form of subtle Samskaras or impressions. Our experiences in the shape of Samskaras? habits and tendencies are also stored up in our subconscious mind. These Samskaras of the past birth are revivified and reenergised in the next birth. The Samskaras of Yogic practices and meditation and the Yogic tendencies will compel the spiritual aspirant to strive with greater vigour than that with which he attempted in the former birth. He will endeavour more strenuously to get more spiritual experiences and to attain to higher planes of realisation than those acired in his previous birth.
पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः
जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते
പൂര്വ്വാഭ്യാസേന തേനൈവ ഹ്രിയതേ ഹ്യവശോഽപി സഃ
ജിജ്ഞാസുരപി യോഗസ്യ ശബ്ദബ്രഹ്മാതിവര്തതേ
pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva hriyate hyavaśo.api saḥ
jijñāsurapi yogasya śabdabrahmātivartate
English Translation
For, by that very past practice, he is carried forward even in spite of himself! Even a seeker of Yoga transcends the result of the performance of Vedic rituals!
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
The man who fell from Yoga is carried to the goal which he intended to reach in his previous birth? by the force of the Samskaras of the practice of Yoga though he may not be conscious of them and even if he may not be willing to adopt the course of Yogic discipline on account of the force of some evil Karma. If he had not done any great evil action which could overwhelm his Yogic tendencies he will certainly continue his Yogic practices in this birth very vigorously through the force of the Yogic Samskaras created by his Yogic practices in his previous birth. If the force of the evil action is stronger? the Yogic tendencies will be overpowered or suppressed for some time. As soon as the fruits of the evil actions are exhausted? the force of the Yogic Samskaras will begin to manifest itself. He will start his Yogic practices vigorously and attain the final beatitude of life.Even an enirer in whom a desire for information about Yoga is kindled goes beyond the Brahmic word? i.e.? the Vedas. He rises superior to the performer of the Vedic rituals and ceremonies. He is beyond the entanglement of forms and ceremonies. He is not satisfied with mere ritualism. He thirsts for a satisfaction higher than that given by the sensual objects. He who simply wishes to know the nature of the principles of Yoga frees himself from the SabdaBrahma? i.e.? from the effects of the Vedic rituals and ceremonies. If this be the case of a simple enirer? how much more exalted should be the condition of a real practitioner or knower of Yoga or of one who is established in Nirvikalpa Samadhi He will be absolutely free from the effects of the Vedic rituals and ceremonies. He will enjoy the eternal bliss and the everlasting peace of the Eternal.An aspirant who is desirous of obtaining Moksha alone is not affected by the sin of nonperformance of action even if he renounces all the obligatory and optional or occasional duties. He goes beyond the word of Brahman (the scripture or the Vedas).When such is the case of an aspirant who is without any spiritual inclinations or Samskaras of the previous birth? how much more exalted will be the state of that student who has done Yogic practices in his previous birth? who has fallen from Yoga in his previous birth? and who has taken up Yoga in this birth? renouncing all the worldly activitiesImpelled by the strong desire for liberation he practises rigorous Sadhana in this birth. He is constrained? as it were? by the force of the good Samskaras of his previous birth to take to Yogic practices in spite of himself.In this verse the Lord lays stress on the fact that no effort in the practice of Yoga goes in vain. Even the smallest effor will have its effect sooner or later in this birth or another. Therefore there is no cause for disappointment even for the dullest type of spiritual aspirant.
प्रयत्नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संशुद्धकिल्बिषः
अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम्
പ്രയത്നാദ്യതമാനസ്തു യോഗീ സംശുദ്ധകില്ബിഷഃ
അനേകജന്മസംസിദ്ധസ്തതോ യാതി പരാം ഗതിം
prayatnādyatamānastu yogī saṃśuddhakilbiṣaḥ
anekajanmasaṃsiddhastato yāti parāṃ gatim
English Translation
However, the yogi, applying himself assiduously, becoming purified from sin and attaining perfection through many births, thery acheives the highest Goal.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
He gains experiences little by little in the course of many births and eventually attains to perfection. Then he gets the knowledge of the Self and attains to the final beatitude of life.
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन
തപസ്വിഭ്യോഽധികോ യോഗീ ജ്ഞാനിഭ്യോഽപി മതോഽധികഃ
കര്മിഭ്യശ്ചാധികോ യോഗീ തസ്മാദ്യോഗീ ഭവാര്ജുന
tapasvibhyo.adhiko yogī jñānibhyo.api mato.adhikaḥ
karmibhyaścādhiko yogī tasmādyogī bhavārjuna
English Translation
A yogi is higher than men of austerity; he is considered higher even than men of knowledge. The yogi is also higher than men of action. Therefore, O Arjuna, do you become a yogi.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Tapasvi One who observes the austerities of speech? mind and body prescribed in chapter XVII. 14? 15 and 16.Jnani One who has a knowledge of the scriptures (an indirect knowledge or theoretical knowledge of the Self).Karmi He who performs the Vedic rituals.To all these the Yogi is superior? for he has the direct knowledge of the Self through intuition or direct cognition through Nirvikalpa Samadhi. (Cf.V.2XII.12XIII.24)
योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना
श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः
യോഗിനാമപി സര്വ്വേഷാം മദ്ഗതേനാന്തരാത്മനാ
ശ്രദ്ധാവാന്ഭജതേ യോ മാം സ മേ യുക്തതമോ മതഃ
yogināmapi sarveṣāṃ madgatenāntarātmanā
śraddhāvānbhajate yo māṃ sa me yuktatamo mataḥ
English Translation
Even among all the yogis, he who adores Me with his mind fixed on Me and with faith,he is considered by Me to be the best of the yogis.
AdiyogiArts gita-json · https://github.com/AdiyogiArts/gita-json (MIT License)
Explanation · English
Among all Yogis He who worships Me? the Absolute? is superior to those who worship the lesser gods such as the Vasus? Rudra? Aditya? etc.The inner self merged in Me The mind absorbed in Me? (Cf.VI.32)?(This chapter is known by the names Atmasamyama Yoga and Adhyatma Yoga also.)Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita? the science of the Eternal? the scripture of Yoga? the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna? ends the sixth discourse entitledThe Yoga of Meditation.
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