THE HOLY YOGA, CHAPTER NUMBER 06, DHYANA YOGA OR THE YOGA OF MEDITATION, VERSE NUMBER 18

THE HOLY GITA

CHAPTER NUMBER 06

DHYANA YOGA OR THE YOGA OF MEDITATION:

VERSE NUMBER 18

Text in Transliteration:

yadaa viniyatam cittam aatmany evaa ‘vatisthate

nihsprhah sarvakaamebhyo yukta ity ucyate tadaa

Text in English:

When the disciplined mind rests in the Self alone, free from desire for objects, then is one said to be established in yoga.

COMMENTARY BY SWAMI SIDBHAVANANDA:

Wind creates storm in the sea. The wind of desire creates commotion in the mind. Desirelessness makes the mind constant and pure. Fixed in yoga is that mind which is impregnable against all desires with such a sterling mind is naturally an adept in meditation.

SRI RAMAKRISHNA AS QUOTED BY SWAMI SIDBHAVANANDA:

The mustard that gets scattered from a torn bag, cannot easily be gathered again. Likewise, the mind dissipated in worldly things does not come under easy control. Possession of the mind in its entirety is yoga.

COMMENTARY BY DR.S.RADHAKRISHNA:

 Complete effacement of the ego is essential for the vision of truth. Every taint of individuality should disappear, if truth is to be known. There should be an elimination of all our prejudices and idiosyncrasies.

In these verses, the teacher gives the procedure by which the seeker can gain the experience of the Essential Self. In the ordinary experience of the outer or the inner world, the Self in union with the body is immersed in phenomenal multiplicity and remains veiled because of it. We should fist of all empty the soul of every specific operation, rid it of every image, of every particular representation, of every distinct operation of mind. This is a negative process. It may be thought that by draining our consciousness of every image, we end in a pure and simple nothingness. The teacher makes out that the negative process is adopted to apprehend the Pure Self, to achieve the beatific vision. The silence is made perfect and the void is consummated through this apparently negative but intensely vital mystical contemplation, involving a tension of the forces of the soul. It is an experience which transcends all knowledge; for the Self is not an object expressible in a concept of presentable to mind as an object. It is inexpressible subjectivity.

COMMENTARY BY SWAMI SIVANANDA:

Perfectly controlled mind: The mind with one-pointedness.

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.  

Comments by the blogger:

The discipline has already been pointed out clearly by Sri Krishna in the previous verses. The mind must be serene and fearless. The practitioner should be firm in the vow of a Brahmachari. One should sit in yoga with a subdued mind. The practitioner should think of the Lord only. Keeping himself ever steadfast in this manner, the yogi attains peace which abides in the Lord. This should culminate in Nirvana. For this, the practitioner should not eat too much neither desist from food too much. He should not sleep too much neither be wakeful too much. Thus the practitioner should be moderate in eating and recreation. He should be temperate in actions.

When the mind is disciplined this way, it cannot be difficult for the mind to rest in the Self alone free from desire for objects. Such a mind and practitioner of Yoga is said to be established in yoga.