Chapter 6 आत्मसंयमयोग – Aatma Samyama Yoga The Yoga of Meditation and Self Realisation
6:01 श्रीभगवानुवाच | अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः | स संन्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः || ६ १ || Sri Bhagavaan uvaacha: anaashritaha karmaphalam kaaryam karma karoti yaha sa sannyaasi cha yogee cha na niragnirna chaakriyaha (SBG 6:01)
Bhagavan Shri Krishna said: He who performs his obligatory duty unattached to the fruit of his work is a Sannyasi and Yogi following the way to attain Ultimate Consciousness. He is not just someone who has merely renounced action.
—————————— 6:02 यं संन्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव | न ह्यसंन्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन || ६ २ || yam sannyaa-samiti praahur- yogam tam viddhi paandava na hyasannyasta-sankalpo yogee bhavati kash-chana (SBG 6:02)
You should know that renunciation is the same as Yoga which connects oneself with the Supreme. No one can become a Yogi unless one renounces the desire for the fruit of action.
For a sage who has just begun in the eight fold system of Yoga, action is said to be the means. But for the one who has already attained Yoga, the cessation of all material activities is said to be the means.
—————————— 6:04 यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते | सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते || ६ ४ || yadaa hi nendri-yaartheshu na karmasvanu-shaj-jate sarva-sankalpa sannyaasii yogaa-rood-has-tadochyate (SBG 6:04)
When a man is neither attached to the sense objects nor to actions and has renounced all thoughts, he is said to have attained to Yoga.
The mind is the greatest friend for the one who has conquered it. But for the one who has not done so, the mind is the greatest enemy.
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6:07 जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः | शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु तथा मानापमानयोः || ६ ७ || jitaat-manah prashaan-tasya paramaatmaa samaahitaha sheetoshNa-sukha-duhkheshu tathaa maanaa-pamaana-yoho (SBG 6:07)
The one who has conquered the mind has already reached Superconsciousness. Such a person has crossed all dualities such as cold and heat; pleasure and pain; honour and dishonour; and is always balanced, peaceful and steadfast in devotion.
The Yogi whose Self is satisfied through knowledge and realisation, who is always steady and has his senses under control, to whom a clod of earth, stones and gold are of equal value, is said to be steadfast.
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6:09 सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु | साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते || ६ ९ || suhrin-mitraar-yudaaseena- madhyastha-dveshya-bandhushu saadhush-vapi cha paapeshu sama-buddhir-vishishyate (SBG 6:09)
One is considered distinguished among humans when he treats equally a well-wisher, a friend, an enemy, the indifferent, a neutral person, a hateful person, relatives, the righteous as well as the unrighteous.
The Yogi, with his mind and body under control, must have a steady mind, should not have any desires, remain in solitude, and must be free of lust, greed and possessiveness.
In order to practice Yoga, one must create a seat on a clean spot, neither too high nor too low, place a soft cloth on it and also place Kusha grass on the soft cloth. –
There, the Yogi must control his senses, purify his heart and with his mind fixed on a single point, must practise Yoga for the purification of the Self.
The Yogi must hold his body firm, keep his head and neck erect and stay perfectly still. He should look at the tip of his nose and must not look around.
Peaceful in the mind, fearless, firm in the vow of celibacy as a true Brahmachari, having controlled the mind, thinking of Me with the mind in perfect balance, a yogi should sit, having Me as his supreme goal.
Thus, always keeping the mind balanced, the Yogi, with the mind controlled, attains peace abiding in Me and this leads to liberation.
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6:16 नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः | न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन || ६ १६ || naathyash-nathastu yogo’sti na chaikaanta-manashnataha na chaa-tisvapna-sheelasya jaagrato naiva chaarjuna (SBG 6:16)
Yoga is never possible for a person who eats too much, who doesn’t eat at all, who sleeps too much or too less, O Arjuna.
When the person, through Yoga, controls his mind that rests in the Self alone and is free from longing for objects of desire, he is said to have attained Yoga.
Just as a lamp placed in a windless spot does not flicker, the Yogi with his mind under control is steady in meditation. Note: The Shloka above clearly shows that peace with one’s own mind can be achieved by shedding greed, lust and attachment and by focusing attention on one single point. This helps in clearing the mind of confusion.
6:21 सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् | वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः || ६ २१ || sukha-maat-yantikam yattad buddhi graah-yama-teendriyam vetti yatra na chaivaa-yam sthitash-chalati tattvataha (SBG 6:21)
6:22 यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः | यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते || ६ २२ || yam labdhvaa chaaparam laabham manyate naadhikam tataha yasmin sthito na duhkhena guruNaapi vichaalyate (SBG 6:22)
6:23 तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम् | स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा || ६ २३ || tam vidyaad-duhkha-samyoga- viyogam yoga-samnyitam sa nishchayena yoktavyo yogo’nirviNNa chetasaa (SBG 6:23)
6: 20-23 The state of trance or Samadhi is reached when the mind is controlled by the practice of Yoga, in which, one’s individual consciousness is united with the Supreme Consciousness. In such a state, one is able to see the Self by the purified mind and relish in the Self. In this state, the person realises the same bliss, which can be experienced through the intellect. When one is established in it, one does not deviate from the truth and is not disturbed even by any calamitous situation. In such a state, one is disconnected from pain and is untouched by it. This Yoga should be practised with determination and with a mind that is not depressed or despondent.
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6:24 सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः | मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः || ६ २४ || sankalpa-prabhavaan-kaamaan- styaktvaa sarvaana-sheshataha mana-saivendriya-graamam viniyamya samantataha (SBG 6:24)
Yoga has to be practised after having completely renounced all desires born of fancy and by controlling the senses by the mind. —————————————- 6:25 शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया | आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किंचिदपि चिन्तयेत् || ६ २५ || shanaih shanair-uparamed buddhyaa dhriti-gruheetayaa aatma-samstham manah krutvaa na kinchidapi chintayet (SBG 6:25)
One should withdraw little by little, establishing the mind in the Self through the intellect regulated by concentration. He should not think of anything else.
Wherever and whenever the mind wanders restlessly because of its unsteady quality, it should be restrained and brought back under the control of the Self.
The Yogi whose Rajas or passion is pacified, has a tranquil mind, is sinless and is identified with the Supreme Brahman, attains the highest level of happiness.
One who is a Yogi, has his mind always engaged in the practice of Yoga, is freed from sins and he easily enjoys the infinite bliss of being one with the Eternal and Supreme.
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6:29 सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि | ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः || ६ २९ || sarva bhootas-thamaat-maanam sarva-bhootaani chaatmani eekshate yoga-yuktaatmaa sarvatra sama-darshanaha (SBG 6:29)
A yogi whose Self is united with Divine Consciousness, sees the Self abiding in all beings and all beings in the Self. Such a person sees the same everywhere.
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6:30 यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति | तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति || ६ ३० || yo maam pashyati sarvatra sarvam cha mayi pashyati tasyaaham na praNa-shyaami sa cha me na praNa-shyati (SBG 6:30)
A person who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, does not become separated from Me nor am I separated from him.
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6:31
सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः | सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते || ६ ३१ || sarva-bhoota-sthitham yo maam bhaja-tyekatva-maas-thithaha sarvathaa vartamaano’pi sa yogee mayi vartate (SBG 6:31)
The one who is in union with Me and worships Me residing in all beings, becomes a Yogi and, whatever circumstances the person may be in, resides in Me.
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6:32 आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन | सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं स योगी परमो मतः || ६ ३२ || aatmau-pamyena sarvatra samam pashyati yo’rjuna sukham vaa yadi vaa duhkham sa yogee paramo mataha (SBG 6:32)
He who sees the equality in all beings and responds to their joys and sorrows as if they were his own, is regarded by Me as a perfect Yogi.
Arjuna said: This Yoga of equanimity taught by You, O Krishna, I do not see its steady continuance, because of restlessness of the mind.
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6:34 चंचलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद् दृढम् | तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् || ६ ३४ || chanchalam hi manah krushNa pramaathi balavad drud-ham tasyaa-ham nigra-ham manye vaayoriva sudush-karam (SBG 6:34)
The mind is certainly restless, turbulent, strong and unyielding, O Krishna! I think it is extremely difficult to control it just as the wind is.
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6:35 श्रीभगवानुवाच | असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम् | अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते || ६ ३५ || Sri Bhagavaan uvaacha: asamshayam mahaabaaho mano durnigraham chalam abhyaasena tu kaunteya vairaagyeNa cha gruhyate fyoya(SBG 6:35)
The Blessed Lord said: Undoubtedly, O mighty armed one (Arjuna), the mind is difficult to control and restless but it can be restrained through practice and dispassion.
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6:36 असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः | वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः || ६ ३६ || asamya taatmanaa yogo dush-praapa iti me matihi vash-yaatmanaa tu yatataa shakyo’vaaptu-mupaa-yataha (SBG 6:36)
Yoga is difficult to attain for a person whose mind is not controlled. But it is possible for one who has his mind under control and works through prescribed means.
Arjuna said: He who is unable to control himself although he has the faith, and whose mind wanders away from Yoga, what end does he meet, having failed to attain perfection in Yoga, O Krishna?
Fallen from Yoga and Meditation, does he not perish like a detached cloud without any support, being deluded on the path of the Ultimate Truth, O Krishna?
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6:39 एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः | त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते || ६ ३९ || etanme samshayam krushNa cchettu-marhasya-sheshataha tvadanyah samshaya-syaasya cchetthaa na hyupapadyate (SBG 6:39)
Please remove this doubt of mine completely, O Krishna, There is no one else who can remove it but You.
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6:40 श्रीभगवानुवाच | पार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते | न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्चिद् दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति || ६ ४० || Sri Bhagavaan uvaacha: paartha naiveha naamutra vinaashas tasya vidyate na hi kalyaaNakrut-kash-chid durgatim taata gacchati (SBG 6:40)
Bhagavan Krishna said: O Arjuna, neither in this world, nor in the next world is there destruction for him; because the one who does good, O My dear, never comes to evil.
After having attained the worlds of the righteous and after having dwelt there for many years, he who fell from Yoga, is reborn in the house of the pure and the prosperous.
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6:42 अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् | एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् || ६ ४२ || athavaa yoginaa-meva kule bhavati dheemataam etaddhi durlabhataram loke janma yadee-drusham (SBG 6:42)
Or he is born in a family of even the wise Yogis which is a kind of birth that is very difficult to obtain in this world.
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6:43 तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं लभते पौर्वदेहिकम् | यतते च ततो भूयः संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन || ६ ४३ || tatra tam buddhi samyogam labhate paurva-dehikam yatate cha tato bhooyaha samsiddhau kuru-nandana (SBG 6:43)
There, his previous divine consciousness is revived and he comes in contact with the knowledge acquired in his former body. He then works even harder in order to achieve perfection, O Arjuna.
With the divine consciousness from the previous birth, a person gets attracted to Yogic principles as they will come to him even if he does not go behind them. Such a person strives for yoga and is steadfast in Yogic principles. Note: A person, who has fallen from Yoga or the path of Self Realisation, is taken with the help of Yoga, towards his goal which he left incomplete in his previous birth. However, some past negative Karma may hold the person back from fully adopting Yogic principles.
But, the Yogi who strives sincerely, is purified of all sins and he is gradually perfected through many births and finally, he reaches the Supreme goal.
The Yogi is thought to be superior to the ascetics and even superior to men who have obtained knowledge by studying scriptures. He is also superior to men who are devoted to work. Therefore, be a Yogi, O Arjuna!
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6:47 योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना | श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः || ६ ४७ || yoginaa-mapi sarveshaam madgate-naan-taraat-manaa shraddhaavaan bhajate yo maam sa me yuktatamo mataha (SBG 6:47)
Among all Yogis, he who engages himself sincerely with devotion and total faith in Me, will be purified of all sins and he will attain the Supreme goal.
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ॐ तत्सदिति श्रीमद् भगवद्गीतासूपनिषत्सु ब्रह्मविद्यायां योगशास्त्रे श्रीकृष्णार्जुनसंवादे आत्मसंयमयोगो नाम षष्ठोऽध्यायः || ६ ||
Hari Om Tat Sat Iti Srimad Bhagavadgeetaasoopanishatsu Brahmavidyaayaam Yogashaastre Sri Krishnaarjunasamvaade Aatmasamyamayogo Naama Shashtho’dhyaayaha
Thus ends the sixth part of the Bhagavad Gita “The Yoga of Meditation and Self-Realisation” -The Science of the Eternal, the Scripture of Yoga, the dialogue between Shri Krishna and Arjuna.
TVM Gita Samiti 