Chapter 6–Aatmasanyam Yoga | SHRIMAD BHAGWAD GITA

FRIEND AND FOE

Krishna said to Arjun, ‘Dhananjaya! One who performed his karma in unattached state of mind he is the real ascetic and true yogi. One who wishes to practise yoga, he must do selfless acts because this is real freedom from desires and the path to spiritual liberation.

Thus, true yogi is one who is free of desires and infatuations don’t shadow his karma.’ Thus, Krishna defined a yogi and made it indirectly clear that there were no friends or foes in the world. An individual is one’s own friend or foe. One who has conquered senses they are his friends. But if one is slave to his senses then they act as foes.

WINNING SENSES

The definition of a yogi revealed by Krishna raised questions in the mind of Arjun which were read by the former’s power of perception. So, he spoke on the ways to achieve victory over senses, ‘O Parth! To gain the victory overmind and senses, the seeker must select a sacred spot, a plain ground, spread out grass mat, a deer pelt over it and then material (preferably woollen) on top.

Sit over it and steady head, neck and straight back. Focus eyesight on the nose tip. During the exercise period, the seeker must remain celibate, free of fears, peaceful and mentally concentrated. So should be his physical and mental state. Avoid all sorts of excesses. Such yoga exercise can deliver the seeker from all woes.

I AM IN ALL AND ALL IN ME

The exercise in this way leads to a tranquil state of mind comparable to the flame of an oil lamp that is placed at a spot where the air is perfectly still. O Dhananjaya! Until this state is gained the seeker must keep patience and don’t let the mind wander away.

The mind is very finicky and impatient. Do not let it out of
sight. Vest the mind in soul thoughts and the nobility of your mission when it shows signs of tiredness (or
boredom). O Arjun! The yogi whose mind is vested in me steadily he gets the divine joy. A real yogi sees me in all the creatures and all creatures in me. For him I am never invisible in this way and for me he is never away or out of sight.’

FATE OF THE FAILED ONE

Arjun asked, ‘O Keshav! One whose mind does not get reined in, what is the fate of such failed one? It is not an impossibility in yoga exercise!’ Krishna replied, ‘Such a failed one lives through several heavenly domains enjoying the after-life pleasures and then takes birth in a noble family to resume his journey towards the union with Me doing selfless acts inspired by the sacred mission of the previous life brought forward. Such failed one gains the salvation through renewed exercises, resolve and true devotion to Me. And O Arjun, such a yogi is very dear to Me, because he is truly devoted to Me. You must try to become such a yogi.’

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