Bhagavad Gita · 6.12 · Path of Meditation·12 of 47
तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः।उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये ॥
tatraikāgraṁ manaḥ kṛitvā
yata-chittendriya-kriyaḥ upaviśhyāsane yuñjyād yogam ātma-viśhuddhaye
Sanskrit recitation
Practice sitting with the mind · 6.10–6.28 · Teaching
Translation
There, having made the mind one-pointed, with the actions of the mind and senses controlled, let him, seated on the seat, practice Yoga for the purification of the self.
Meaning
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
After Swami Sivananda
Practice sitting with the mind· 6.10–6.28→
Teachers usually read this idea across several verses together, one shared reflection covers the whole unit.
- 6.10Let the yogi constantly strive to keep the mind steady, remaining in solitude, alone, with the body and mind controlled, and free from hope and greed.
- 6.11In a clean spot, having established a firm seat of his own, neither too high nor too low, made of cloth, skin, and kusha grass layered one over the other.
6.12There, having made the mind one-pointed, with the actions of the mind and senses controlled, let him, seated on the seat, practice Yoga for the purification of the self.
- 6.13Let him firmly hold his body, head, and neck erect and still, gazing at the tip of his nose without looking around.
- 6.14Serene-minded, fearless, firm in the vow of a Brahmachari, having controlled their mind, thinking of Me and balanced in mind, let them sit, having Me as their supreme goal.
- 6.15Thus, always keeping the mind balanced, the yogi, with the mind controlled, attains the peace abiding in Me, culminating in liberation.
- 6.16Verily, Yoga is not possible for him who eats too much, nor for him who does not eat at all, nor for him who sleeps too much, nor for him who is always awake, O Arjuna.
- 6.17Yoga becomes the destroyer of pain for him who is moderate in eating and recreation (such as walking, etc.), who exercises moderation in action, and who is moderate in sleep and wakefulness.
- 6.18When the perfectly controlled mind rests in the Self alone, free from longing for any of the objects of desire, then it is said, 'He is united'.
- 6.19As a lamp placed in a windless spot does not flicker, so is the Yogi of a controlled mind, who practices Yoga in the Self, compared.
- 6.20When the mind, restrained by the practice of yoga, attains quietude, and when one sees the Self by the Self, they are satisfied in their own Self.
- 6.21When he (the Yogi) feels that infinite bliss which can be grasped by the pure intellect and which transcends the senses, and is established therein, never moving away from the reality.
- 6.22Having obtained it, he thinks there is no other gain superior to it; established in it, he is not moved even by heavy sorrow.
- 6.23Let this be known by the name of Yoga, the severance from union with pain. This Yoga should be practiced with determination and with an undespairing mind.
- 6.24Abandoning unreservedly all desires born of Sankalpa (thought and imagination) and completely restraining the whole group of senses by the mind from all sides.
- 6.25Little by little, let him attain steadiness of the intellect by holding it firmly; having made the mind establish itself in the Self, let him not think of anything else.
- 6.26From whatever cause the restless and unsteady mind wanders away, let him restrain it from that and bring it under the control of the Self alone.
- 6.27Supreme Bliss indeed comes to this Yogi whose mind is made peaceful, whose passion is quelled, who has become Brahman, and who is free from sin.
- 6.28The yogi, always engaging the mind thus (in the practice of yoga), is freed from sins and easily enjoys the infinite bliss of contact with Brahman (the Eternal).
Word-by-word→
- tatra
- there
- āsane
- on the seat
- indriya
- senses
- manaḥ
- mind
- kriyaḥ
- activities
- eka-agram
- one-pointed
- kṛitvā
- having made
- upaviśhya
- being seated
- yata-chitta
- controlling the mind
- yuñjyāt yogam
- should strive to practice yog
- ātma viśhuddhaye
- for purification of the mind
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