CH 6 Verses 20, 21 & 22

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Chapter 6

Verse 20

 

Yatr'oparamate chittam niruddham yoga-sevayaa /

yatra ch'aiv'aatmanaatmaanam pashyann aatmani

tushhyati //

 

When the mind restrained by the practice of Yoga

withdraws (from the objects) and when seeing the Self,

one rejoices in his own Self;

 

Verse 21

 

Sukham aatyantikam yat tad.h buddhi-graahyam

ateendriyam /

vetti yatra na ch'aiv'aayam sthitash chalati tattvatah

//

 

When he experiences that infinite joy, beyond the

reach of the senses, perceived by the intellect

(purified), and having become steadfast, he never

departs from the reality;

 

Verse 22

 

Yam labdhvaa ch'aaparam laabham manyate n'aadhikam

tatah /

yasmin sthito na duhkhena gurunaa'pi vichaalyate //

 

When after obtaining which, he regards no other gain

greater than that, and when therein established, he is

not shaken even by heavy sorrow.

 

LESSONS FROM BHAGAVAD GITA – 59

As taught by Parama Pujya Sri Swamiji

Compiled by: Swami Dattananda

Bhaktimala, June-July 1998

 

"When the mind restrained by the practice of Yoga

withdraws (from the objects) and when seeing the Self,

one rejoices in his own Self;"

 

"When he experiences that infinite joy, beyond the

reach of the senses, perceived by the intellect

(purified), and having become steadfast, he never

departs from the reality;"

 

"When after obtaining which, he regards no other gain

greater than that, and when therein established, he is

not shaken even by heavy sorrow" (Chapter 6, Verses

20, 21 & 22).

 

The above three verses give us an idea of the

experience a Yogi has when his mind, like a lamp in a

windless place, becomes concentrated on the Self. At

this stage the Yogi gets supreme happiness, which an

ordinary man can never hope to experience. An ordinary

man enjoys pleasures through his mind and the sense

organs. For instance, the pleasure of eating a

delicious food is enjoyed though the sense organ

called tongue. In the same way the beauty of any form

is enjoyed through the sense called eye. But the

experience of happiness that is felt when one’s mind

is fully concentrated on the Self does not come

through the sense organs or the mind even. Mind and

the sense organs always get attracted by the external

objects. They can enjoy only the external objects.

They are incapable of experiencing the happiness of

the Self. Therefore, the happiness of the Self is

called Atendriya, which means that it is beyond the

reach of the senses.

 

Then how can we experience this happiness of the Self?

Sri Krishna says that this can be grasped through the

intellect (Buddhigamyam.) Intellect always remains

with the Self, as it does not go outwards in search of

sensual pleasures. When all the sense organs turn away

from their respective objects, the mind becomes

steady. As a result the intellect begins to work and

delights in the Self. Or, in other words, when the

mind becomes steady and gets concentrated in

meditation the intellect starts functioning. It

cognizes the Self and the Self is realized.

 

The happiness derived from the sense organs is short

lived. It also ends in misery. But the happiness of

the Self is everlasting and infinite (atyantikam.)

Being established in this blissful state, the Yogi

does not slip from that reality.

 

By the practice of Yoga, one has to withdraw one’s

mind from all external movements and focus it on the

Self. The mind then merges in the Self and delights in

it. The idea is, when senses get restrained through

the practice of Yoga discipline, the mind easily turns

inwards and cognizes the Self. It then becomes one

with the supreme spirit of the Self and enjoys

permanent bliss. In this state, the Yogi enjoys the

absolute peace and eternal happiness. There is nothing

greater than this state. Even the possession of the

entire world and its wealth is nothing compared to

this state. When a man attains this status, he will

not be shaken by any sorrow or suffering. Even if his

body is going to be struck with weapons, he will not

feel sorry as he enjoys peace and bliss of the self.

 

 

 

 

 

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