Gita 6.33:
अर्जुन उवाच |
योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्त: साम्येन मधुसूदन |
एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात्स्थितिं स्थिराम् || 33||
arjuna uvācha
yo ’yaṁ yogas tvayā proktaḥ sāmyena madhusūdana
etasyāhaṁ na paśhyāmi chañchalatvāt sthitiṁ sthirām
Arjun, in this context, is expressing a sincere concern about the practicality of achieving the state of perfection in Yoga as outlined by Shree Krishna. Krishna's teaching from verse 6.10 onward lays out a path for spiritual discipline, but it demands a high level of mental control and detachment. The key practices Krishna mentions are:
- Subduing the senses – This means not allowing the senses to dominate the mind, but rather maintaining control over them.
- Giving up all desires – Renouncing worldly attachments and cravings, which are major distractions in the spiritual path.
- Focusing the mind on God alone – Cultivating a singular focus on the Divine as the ultimate goal.
- Thinking of God with an unwavering mind – Developing concentration that is constant and not influenced by external circumstances.
- Seeing everyone with equal vision – Developing a non-judgmental, unbiased view of others, rooted in the understanding that the Divine is present in all beings.
Arjun’s doubt stems from the recognition that none of these can be achieved without mastering the mind. The mind, by its nature, is restless, wandering, and hard to control. Arjun points out that if one cannot control the mind, then the senses will not be subdued, desires will persist, focus will be scattered, and equanimity toward others will be difficult to maintain. In essence, Arjun is saying that the human mind is inherently unruly, and unless that challenge is overcome, the spiritual practices that Krishna has outlined may remain unattainable.
This sentiment resonates with many seekers of spiritual growth, as controlling the mind is often considered one of the greatest challenges in any spiritual or meditative discipline. Arjun's response is honest and humble, recognizing the difficulty of the path that Krishna has laid out, and he seeks further guidance on how to practically manage the mind's restlessness.
Gita 6.34: Restlessness of the Mind:
चञ्चलं हि मन: कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम् |
तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् || 34||
chañchalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛiṣhṇa pramāthi balavad dṛiḍham
tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva su-duṣhkaram
Arjun explains that the mind is naturally restless because it constantly shifts from one subject to another, unable to remain still or focused for long.
Turbulence in Consciousness:
The mind creates turbulence by stirring negative emotions like hatred, anger, lust, greed, envy, anxiety, fear, and attachment. These emotions disrupt inner peace and clarity.
Strength of the Mind:
The mind is extremely strong, often overpowering the intellect. It prevents rational thinking and sound judgment, leading to impulsive decisions and actions.
Obstinacy of the Mind:
The mind is also obstinate. When it gets fixated on harmful or unproductive thoughts, it refuses to let go, continuing to dwell on them even when the intellect knows they are harmful.
Comparison to the Wind:
Arjun likens the mind to the wind, saying it is even more difficult to control. This is a powerful analogy because no one can think of controlling the mighty wind, highlighting the seemingly impossible task of mastering the mind.
Invocation of Krishna's Name:
Arjun calls upon Krishna, whose name signifies “the one who attracts the minds of even the most powerful yogis and saints” (paramahansas). By invoking Krishna’s name, Arjun is subtly requesting that Krishna attract and control his restless, turbulent, strong, and obstinate mind, just as Krishna attracts the minds of other great spiritual practitioners.
Gita 6.35:
श्रीभगवानुवाच |
असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम् |
अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते || 35||
śhrī bhagavān uvācha
asanśhayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ chalam
abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa cha gṛihyate
In response to Arjun’s concern about the difficulty of controlling the mind, Shree Krishna addresses him as "Mahābāho," meaning "Mighty-armed one." By using this title, Krishna subtly encourages Arjun, suggesting, “You have defeated powerful warriors on the battlefield—surely, you can also conquer the mind.”
Krishna doesn’t dismiss Arjun’s statement by claiming that controlling the mind is easy. Instead, he acknowledges that it is indeed challenging, but not impossible. Many difficult tasks in life require perseverance and effort, yet people do not shy away from them. For instance, sailors know the dangers of the sea, such as the possibility of storms, but they don’t allow those dangers to keep them from setting sail. Similarly, Krishna reassures Arjun that although controlling the mind is hard, it can be achieved through vairāgya (detachment) and abhyās (persistent practice).
Vairāgya (Detachment):
- The mind tends to wander toward things it is attached to, following its habitual patterns. Vairāgya is the practice of detachment, which means cutting the ties of attachment to worldly objects and desires. When attachment is eliminated, the unnecessary wanderings of the mind are reduced, allowing for better focus.
Abhyās (Practice):
- Abhyās refers to a consistent and sustained effort to change old habits or develop new ones. Just like mastering any skill—whether it’s typing, playing an instrument, or any other activity—requires regular practice, the mind also requires constant effort to be disciplined. Through repeated practice, we can train the mind to rest on the higher goal of God. Krishna emphasizes that the mind, though turbulent, can be tamed over time with steady, disciplined practice.
By combining vairāgya and abhyās, one can bring the mind under control. Krishna’s guidance aligns with the teachings of Sage Patanjali, who states in the Yog Darshan:
“abhyāsa vairāgyābhyāṁ tannirodhaḥ” (Yog Darshan 1.12):
"The fluctuations of the mind can be stilled through persistent practice and detachment."
Gita 6.36:
असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मति: |
वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायत: || 36||
asaṅyatātmanā yogo duṣhprāpa iti me matiḥ
vaśhyātmanā tu yatatā śhakyo ’vāptum upāyataḥ
Shree Krishna, the Supreme Divine Personality, now explains the connection between controlling the mind and achieving success in the practice of Yog. He points out that without mastering the mind through abhyās (persistent practice) and vairāgya (detachment), the path of Yog becomes extremely challenging. However, those who have gained control over their mind through dedicated effort can attain success by following the proper techniques. These methods, which Krishna has already outlined in verses 6.10 to 6.32, include subduing the senses, renouncing desires, focusing solely on God, maintaining unwavering concentration on Him, and developing an equal vision toward all beings.
Krishna's explanation raises doubt in Arjun's mind about those sādhaks (spiritual practitioners) who struggle to control their minds. In response, Arjun prepares to ask Krishna about the fate of such practitioners who are unable to fully control their minds on the spiritual path.
Summary: JKYog India Online Class- Bhagavad Gita [English]- 05.10.2024
