BHAGAVAD GITA - CHAPTER 6

THE YOGA OF MEDITATION

By performing one's duty, without expectation of its fruit, one becomes a yogi. By renouncing all worldly thoughts, by constantly remembering God, through study of scriptures, japa, kirtan and meditation one becomes a sannyasi. When one controls the lower self by the higher Self, the mind, senses and body will be controlled. The Self becomes one's friend; otherwise, this same Self will be one's enemy. He who controls his body, mind and senses can remain calm in pleasure and pain, heat and cold, honour and dishonour. The perfected yogi or saint sees God in everything.

After describing the prerequisites for dhyana yoga, Krishna explains the method of practice. He should spread his seat of kusha grass, deer-skin and a cloth, one over the other, in a secluded and clean spot. Occupying that seat in a comfortable pose, holding the body, head and neck erect, he must make the mind one-pointed by concentration between the eyebrows. Controlling the thoughts and senses he must practice meditation for the purification of the soul. Thus he attains supreme peace or liberation.

The aspirant should adopt the middle path in daily activities, e.g. sattvic diet, moderate sleeping and waking hours, asanas, pranayama, satsang, swadyaya, etc.

The mind must be made to rest in God like a lamp placed in a windless place. When the mind is restrained by practice of meditation, it realizes the Self within. When the mind tastes such bliss that it will feel there is nothing else in the three worlds worth possessing, it won't be disturbed even by the bitterest sorrow of the world.

Sadhana is a lifelong process. Every moment one should think of God. Whenever the mind, due to previous habits, strays away from the object of meditation, it should be fixed back on that object, with effort. By constant practice, the meditator and the meditated object will become one, and one will enjoy supreme bliss. The yogi, with mind harmonized, will see the Self in all beings and all beings in the Self. The yogi or perfected saint will act as an instrument in the hands of God.

Arjuna asks what happens to a person who does not succeed in yoga. Will he be deprived of both God-realisation and heavenly enjoyment? Krishna says that the practitioner, who falls from the path of yoga, will take birth in the family of the pious and wealthy, or of yogis, and again strive to pursue the path of liberation.

Krishna says that that person who is devoted to Him is the best among yogis and asks Arjuna to become such as yogi.

Chapter 6 teaches that meditation is the means to attain God-consciousness, the purpose of all yogas. When the mind is directed towards God, with a comprehensive understanding, then one's perception, attitude and desires for the world change automatically. 'The objects of the senses turn away from him who is abstemious, but taste for objects persists. On beholding the Supreme, even this taste ceases." Thus, by experiencing God-consciousness through continuous meditation, one perceives the unity in diversity and all the desires come to an end.

IMPORTANT VERSES IN CHAPTER 6

16. Verily 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.

19. As a lamp placed in a windless spot does not flicker, to such is compared the yogi of controlled mind, practicing yoga in the Self (or absorbed in yoga of the Self).

23. Let that be known by the name of yoga, the severance from union with pain. This yoga should be practiced with determination and with undesponding mind.

30. He who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, never becomes separated from Me, nor do I become separated from him.

32. He who, through the likeness of the Self, O Arjuna sees equality everywhere, be it pleasure or pain, he is regarded as the highest Yogi.

34. The mind verily is restless, turbulent, strong and unyielding, O Krishna. I deem it as difficult to control it as to control the wind.

Questions:

1. What are exterior aids for meditation?
2. Which qualities does one need to develop?
3. How long does it take to attain perfection?
4. Why should one avoid extremes?
5. What does one have to do to control the mind?