Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 33

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

The Restive Mind has to be Resisted 33-36

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 33

A doubt now rose in Arjuna's mind

Arjuna Uvacha

Yah yam yogah tvaya proktah samyena madhusudana I

Etasya aham na pashyami chanchala tvat sthitim sthiram II sloka 33

यः यं योगः त्वया प्रोक्तः समयेन मधुसूदन ।

एतस्य अहं न पश्यामि चञ्चल त्वत स्थितिं स्थिरं ।। श्लोक  ३३

Arjuna said

This yoga of equanimity, taught by you, O Madhusudana, I do not see any stability for it, because of restlessness.

Because of the dispersed and restless nature of mind, its being collected in equanimity is not possible. The wavy ocean of the mind cannot be made waveless; this is the objection raised.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 32

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Perfection Yoga - 29-32

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 32

Atma aupmyena sarvatra samam pashyati yah arjuna I

Sukham va yadi va duhkham sa yogi paramah mantah II sloka 32

आत्मा औपंयेन सर्वत्र  समं पश्यति यः अर्जुन ।

सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं सयोगी परमः मन्तः ।। श्लोक ३२

That yogi, O Arjuna, is regarded as supreme, who judges pleasure or pain everywhere, by the same standard as he applies to himself.

 Man does not differentiate between the limbs of his own body as high and low.  They are all of equal importance to him. The harm done to any limb is the harm done to himself, because he and his limb are one and the same. An ordinary man is unassailable in this conviction of his. The yogi, in his turn, beholds the cosmos as the body of the paramatman and himself a limb of that cosmic personality. One limb in a body does not hurt another; all the limbs function for mutual welfare. The yogi knows that he and his neighbours are not different; they are all limbs of the same iswara. So he works for the general welfare of all. That yogi is supreme who has this cosmic outlook.

A few holy men were living in an ashram in the outskirts of a township. While the oldest of them was passing through the main street of that village, he chanced to see the landlord mercilessly belabouring a tenant of his. The holy man intervened on behalf of the helpless victim. But the holy man directed his fury on the holy man and thrashed him to the point of making him fall unconscious. Coming to know of this mishap, inmates of the ashram hastened to the spot and carried the holy man back, lying yet unconscious. When, after long nursing, the saint opened his eyes, a tending man put the question, "Revered one, do you recognise who I am?". In gentle but clear voice camethe unexpected answer, "The hand that beat then is now nursing." He said so because he saw the same Brahman manifesting as the many. The feeling of the offender and offended was not in the saint.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 31

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Perfection is Yoga - 29-32 

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 31

Sarva bhuta sthitam yo mam bhajati ekatvam asthatah I

Sarvatha vartamanah api sah yogi mayi vartate II sloka 31

सर्व भूत स्थितं यो माम भजति एकत्वं आस्थातः ।

सर्वथा वर्तमानः अपि सः योगी मयि वर्तते ।। श्लोक ३१

He who established in oneness, worships me abiding in all beings, that yogi lives in Me, whatever maybe his mode of living.

A person discharged from prison is conscious that he is no more than a prisoner, be he shut up in a room enchained, handcuffed or tethered. Not the external setting but the attitude of the man is the main factor here. The knower of the Brahman is conscious that Brahman alone is putting on the appearance of the many in the universe. Because of the Brahmavastha  in which he is established, his contact with beings is nothing short of the adoration of the Brahman. His external behaviour may indicate that he is meditating, attending to the obligatory duties, or taking rest. But subjectively he is fixed in Brahman. This is state of liberation from all bondage.  This state is technically known as Sahaja nishtha

The ignorant one believes that God is in some far off region called heaven. The enlightened one, on the other hand, beholds Him as the core of his own being.  Iswara is in the hearts of all. The seeker of God therefore realises Him first within himself

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 30

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Perfection Yoga - 29-32

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 30

Yo mam pashyati sarvatra sarvam cha mayi pashyati I

Tasyaham na pranashyami sa cha me na pranashyati II sloka 30

यो माम पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति ।

तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति ।। श्लोक ३०

He who sees Me everywhere and sees all in Me, he never becomes lost to Me, nor do I become lost to him.

After realising the unity in all beings, the yogi further realises that it is the parmatman that manifests Himself as the multitudinous beings at all levels. The one appearing as the many is the eternal sport of the Lord and not just the yogi's imagination. He and his manifestations are inter-related as the ocean and its waves. He is therefore not lost to the Lord and the Lord is not lost to Him. 

Sweetmeats in the shape of various animals, birds and men are made from the same stuff, sugar. Likewise, it is the Lord who has assumed all forms in the universe.

Sri Ramakrishna Parmahamsa

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 29

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Perfection in Yoga - 29-32
1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 29

Sarva bhuta stham atmanam sarva bhutani cha atmani I
Ikshate yoga yukta atma sarvatra sama darshanah II sloka 29
सर्व भूत स्थं आत्मानं सर्व भूतानि च आत्मनि ।
ईक्षते योग युक्त आत्मा सर्वत्र सम दर्शनः ।। श्लोक २९


His mind being harmonised by yoga, he sees himself in all beings and all beings in himself; he sees the same in all.


Separateness is not for him who has progressed high in yoga. The distinction between high and low, the angel and the humble creature vanishes from his mind. he sees the same divinity in all. In his intuition the self in him is the self in all and the self in all is the self in him. 

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 28

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Progress in Yoga - 21-28

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 28

 Muktinath - Muktinarayan Perumal

Yunjann evam sada atmanam yogi vigata kalmashah I

Sukhena brahma samsparsham  atyantam sukham asnute II sloka 28

युञ्जन्न एवं सदा आत्मानं योगी विगम्त कल्मषः ।

सुखेन ब्रह्म संस्पर्शं अत्यन्तं सुखं अश्नुते ।। श्लोक २८

Constantly engaging the mind this way, the yogi who has put away sin, attains with ease the infinite bliss of contact with the Brahman.

Mythology has it that there is such a thing as the philosopher's stone, contact with which converts base metal into gold. But this is an allegorical statement. Brahman is the real philosopher's stone. It is not easily accessible to all, but whoever gets It, becomes transformed. Ordinary souls who are base become adorable after their contact with the Brahman. They become heirs to Infinite Bliss. 

An immersed vessel is permeated by water inside as well as outside. The soul immersed in Iswara cognises Pure  Consciousness everywhere.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa  

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 27

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Progress in Yoga - 21-28

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 27

 What is the aftermath of wiping out all desires? The result is recounted below:

Rama helping Sita wear the tree bark 

Prashantha manasam hi enam yoginam sukham uttamam I

Upaiti shantha rajasam brahma bhutam akalmasham II sloka 27

प्रशान्त मनसं हि एनं योगिनं सुखं उत्तमं ।

उपैति शान्त रजसं ब्रह्म भूतं अकल्मषं ।। श्लोक २७

Supreme bliss comes to that yogi whose mind is calm; whose passions are pacified, who has become one with Brahman and who is sinless.

It is the category of Rajas that creates passion, the source of all afflictions. When the impetus of Rajas cools down, calmness of mind comes in as a matter of course. He who is in Brahma avastha is actionless and as such there is no sin for him.

Before visiting the humble home of a tenant of his, the landlord sends in advance the required furniture and provision, so that the occupant may receive him in a fitting manner. Similarly, before the Lord reveals himself in the heart of the devotee, He endows him with purity, devotion, faith and such divine qualities

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 26

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Progress in Yoga - 21-28

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 26

Yatah yatah nicharati manah chanchalam asthiram I

Tatah tatah niyamya etat atmani eva vasam nayet II sloka 26

यतः यतः निश्चरति मनः चञ्चलं अस्थिरं ।

ततः ततः नियम्य एतत् आत्मनि एव वशं नयेत ।। श्लोक २६

By whatever cause the wavering and unsteady mind wanders away, let him curb it from that and subjugate it solely to the Self. 

There  are miscreants who, while posing to act within the bounds of the law, try to circumvent it to their selfish ends. Mind plays the same mischief while yet in the process of subjugation. When weaned away from one object, it gets unwittingly attached to another. With proper discrimination it has to be saved from several pitfalls and placed safely at the feet of the Lord. This is the purport of His exhorting the attainment of calmness stage by stage. The danger of a fall is possible until the mind is completely made over to the Lord. 

The vision of the Lord is not possible as long as even an iota of desire is left lingering in the mind. You ought to therefore, fulfill the innocent and harmless little desires before doing away with them and to mercilessly exterminate the baneful ones with the sword of discrimination.

Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 25

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Progress in Yoga - 21-28

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 25

Shanaih shanaih uparamet buddhya dhriti grahitya I

Atma samstham  manah krtva na kinchit api chintayet II sloka 25

शनैः शनैः उपरमेत बुद्ध्या धृति ग्रहीतया  ।

आत्म संस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चित् अपि चिन्तयेत ।। श्लोक २५

With his intellect set in firmness let him attain quietude little by little; with the mind fixed on the self let him not think of anything.

Dhriti or firmness is s virtue born of disciplined life. Some are smart enough to distinguish academically between the permanent and the impermanent . But in the day to day life they are slaves  to the impermanent pleasures. As mind gets fixed in the self, it ceases to deviate into self indulgence. Constant thought of the Lord excludes all other thoughts from the mind. 

Mind is the main factor in you. As is your mind, so are you. It maybe compared to a wasted white cloth which is capable of taking any dye dipped in . When you have learnt a new language you cannot help uttering a few words from it in your conversation. Contact with the undesirables contaminates the mind. Holy company on the other hand elevates it

Sri Ramakrisna Paramahamsa

Since the Lord has sanctioned the attainment of quietude little by little, the sadhaka is likely to lapse into mediocrity. He may slacken his endeavours with the consolation that in some distant future at least he will attain perfection in yoga. But such a setback  is not sanctioned by the Lord.. He exhorts about this in the next sloka.

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 24

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Progress in Yoga - 21-28

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 24

Sankalpa prabhavan kaman tyaktva sarvan asheshatah I

Manasa eva indriya gramam viniyamya samantatah II sloka 24

संकल्प प्रभवान  कामान त्यक्त्वा सर्वान अशेषतः ।

मनसा एव इन्द्रिय ग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः ।। श्लोक २४

Abandoning without reserve all desires born of sankalpa, and curbing in, by the mind, all the senses from all sides;

The formative thought lurking in the mind is sankalpa.  It is this seed of sankalpa that sprouts and grows into the plant of desire. The desire that is like a spark today is capable of developing into a conflagration tomorrow. It is therefore to be entirely eliminated with the weapons of discrimination and dispassion. The senses are safe only when freed from desire.

However carefully a man may move about in a room full of soot, his clothes are bound to be stained a little at least. In the same way he who lives in the midst of sense objects is bound to be tainted with a trace at least of lust. 

Sri Ramakrishna  Paramahamsa

Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 23

The entire content of this mail is from Swami Chidbhavananda's translation of The Bhagavad Gita, published by Ramakrishna Mission.

Progress in Yoga - 21-28

1 Gita Sloka every day - Chapter 6 - Dhyana Yoga - Sloka 23

Tam vidyaat dukha sanyoga viyogam yoga sankshitam I

Sah nischayena yoktavyah yogah anirvinna chetasaa II sloka 23

तं विद्यात्  दुःख   संयोग वियोगं योग संक्षितं ।

सः निस्चयेन योक्तव्यः योगः अनिर्विन्न चेतसा ।। श्लोक २३

Let this disconnection from union with pain be known by the name of yoga. This yoga should be practised with determination and with an undistracted mind.

Bliss is the real nature of man. It is because of ignorance that he courts misery and suffers under its weight. When this assumed state of affair is alienated, he beams in his original bliss again. This act is like rousing up a man from the pangs of a dreadful dream  and putting him again in his wakeful state. The meaning of yoga is to yoke one with one's supreme nature. There is no justification for anybody to invite sorrow on himself. That person who makes himself over to affliction is unfit for yoga. HE who takes to yoga with buoyancy of mind, fixed intention and constancy of purpose, achieves it. Sound mental climate is a prelude to the yogi's getting back to beatitude, his original state.

Milk in a vessel continues to boil and bubble so long as there is fire underneath. But when the fire is removed its simmering stops. But when the fire is removed its simmering stops. In this way, the man who takes to the practise of yoga out of curiosity pursues it vehemently for sometime and then abandons it once and for all. He gains nothing. Steadfastness in yoga is essential. 

Swami Ramakrishna Paramahamsa