Transcript Bhagavad-Gita As It Is Chapter 6 Text 33-34 Flickery mind

Bhagavad-Gita As It Is
Chapter 6
Text 33-34
Flickery mind
and
superiority of Bhakti-Yoga.
Text 33
arjuna uväca
yo 'yaà yogas tvayä proktaù
sämyena madhusüdana
etasyähaà na paçyämi
caïcalatvät sthitià sthiräm
Arjuna said: O Madhusüdana, the
system of yoga which You have
summarized appears impractical
and unendurable to me, for the
mind is restless and unsteady.
The system of mysticism is rejected by Arjuna
• The system of mysticism rejected
by Arjuna out of a feeling of
inability.
• Arjuna thought it was impossible
to follow this system of yoga,
even though he was favorably
endowed in many ways.
• Therefore this system must be
considered generally impossible
in this Age of Kali.
Process of Yoga – strict rules
• One should go to a secluded place.
• Sit on the seat, which should be neither too
high nor too low and should be situated in a
sacred place.
• The yogé should practice yoga to purify the
heart by controlling his mind, senses and
activities and fixing the mind on one point.
• One should hold one's body, neck and head
erect in a straight line and stare steadily at the
tip of the nose.
• Thus, with an unagitated, subdued mind,
devoid of fear, completely free from sex life,
one should meditate upon Me within the heart
and make Me the ultimate goal of life.
Text 34
caïcalaà hi manaù kåñëa
pramäthi balavad dåòham
tasyähaà nigrahaà manye
väyor iva su-duñkaram
For the mind is restless, turbulent,
obstinate and very strong, O Kåñëa,
and to subdue it, I think, is more
difficult than controlling the wind.
Position of mind in relation to intelligence.
ätmänaà rathinaà viddhi çaréraà ratham eva ca
buddhià tu särathià viddhi manaù pragraham eva ca
indriyäëi hayän ähur viñayäàs teñu gocarän
ätmendriya-mano-yuktaà bhoktety ähur manéñiëaù
"The individual is the passenger in the
car of the material body, and
intelligence is the driver. Mind is the
driving instrument, and the senses are
the horses. The self is thus the enjoyer
or sufferer in the association of the
mind and senses. So it is understood
by great thinkers."
The mind is very strong and obstinate.
• Intelligence is supposed to direct
the mind, but the mind is very
strong and obstinate, and
overcomes intelligence.
• E.g. an acute infection may
surpass the efficacy of medicine.
• The easiest way to control the
mind, as suggested by Lord
Caitanya, is chanting "Hare Kåñëa,"
the great mantra for deliverance,
for all humility.