CH 5, Verses 27 & 28

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Chapter 5

Verse 27

 

Sparshaan kritvaa bahir baahyaa.nsh chakshush

cha'ivaantare bhruvoh /

praan'aapaanau samau kritvaa

naas'aabhyantara-chaarinau //

 

Verse 28

 

Yat'endriya-mano-buddhir munir moksha-paraayanah /

vigat'echchhaa-bhaya-krodho yah sadaa mukta eva sah //

 

Keeping out external objects, fixing the gaze on the

center of the eyebrows, controlling the incoming and

outgoing breaths equally; controlling the senses, mind

and intellect, free from desire, fear and wrath, the

sage with Moksha (liberation) as the supreme goal, is

emancipated forever.

 

LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAD GITA – 53

>From the discourses of Pujya Sri Swamiji

Compiled by: Swami Dattananda

Bhakti Mala, May 1997

 

The Lord has hitherto explained in detail how Karma

Yoga or actions dedicated to God lead to liberation

through the stages of purification of heart,

attainment of knowledge and renunciation of all

actions. Now the Lord gives instruction on the yoga of

meditation, which is the proximate discipline for

ultimate realization.

 

"Keeping out external objects, fixing the gaze on the

center of the eyebrows, controlling the incoming and

outgoing breaths equally; controlling the senses, mind

and intellect, free from desire, fear and wrath, the

sage with Moksha (liberation) as the supreme goal, is

emancipated forever” (Chapter 5, Verses 27 & 28).

 

To one who does not pay attention to the external

objects like form, sound etc. brought to the mind

through eyes, ears etc., the objects verily become

kept outside. This is the idea expressed in the

opening line of this verse, which is 'keeping out

external objects.' Boycotting enjoyment of sensual

objects like form, sound, taste, smell and touch is

the basic discipline needed to get concentration in

meditation.

 

Having turned away from all sense contacts, the

ascetic fixing his gaze between the eyebrows

equalizes, rather regularizes the outgoing and

incoming breaths that move through the nostrils.

 

For most people, the flow of breath in and out may not

be regular or balanced. But it can be regularized by

the practice of Pranayama, which would be a great help

in the concentration of the mind. As the mind and the

vital breath (prana) are interlinked when breath is

controlled, the mind also automatically comes under

control. (But practice of breath control has to be

done only under the direct supervision of an expert

Yoga teacher. Otherwise it may lead the practitioner

to some serious mental disorder.)

 

Thus by regularizing the outgoing and incoming breaths

and then by controlling his sense organs, mind and

intellect, the ascetic should be fully intent on

liberation (Moksha.) That is, keeping the body in the

above said posture, the silent ascetic (Muni) should

have liberation itself as the supreme goal (Moksha

paraayanah.) He should be free from desire, fear and

anger (vigata ichchaa bhaya krodhah.) The ascetic who

lives thus is indeed liberated.

 

 

 

 

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