Gita in Daily Life: Ch.6 - Lord Krishna's Assurances to a Seeker!

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Namaste:

 

This chapter focuses on the distinction between `renunciation of the

fruits of action' and the `renunciation of action itself.' Lord

Krishna emphasizes that one who renounces the fruits of action is

known as a Yogi or Sanyaasi. The emphasis is on mind purification

and that is only possible when the mind frees itself from desires.

Only a purified mind, a mind free from desires, can engage itself in

constant meditation on the Atman. Desire corrupts the mind which

drives the Jiva into the field of action. Therefore, none can realize

permanent freedom without renouncing all desires. The renunciation of

the fruits of action is the first step to curtail all desires.

 

The lower self must be controlled by the higher Self. All the lower

impulses of the body, mind and senses must be controlled by the power

of the higher Self. Then the higher Self becomes one's friend. He who

has perfect control of the body, mind and senses and is united with

God, sees God in all objects and beings. He sees inwardly that there

is no difference between gold and stone, between friends and enemies,

between the righteous and the unrighteous. He is perfectly

harmonized.

 

The chapter also provides various practical hints as to the practice

of meditation. The aspirant should select a secluded spot where there

is no likelihood of disturbance. He should arrange his meditation

seat properly and sit in a comfortable posture, with head, neck and

spine erect but not tensed. He should fix his purified mind on the

Atman by concentrating between the eyebrows or on the tip of the

nose. The practice of Brahmacharyam is highly recommended as a

prerequisite for successful meditation. Fearlessness is quite

conducive for focusing one's mind on the almighty. Meditation also

requires faith in the sustaining protection and the Grace of God.

Seekers are advised to live a disciplined life by practicing

moderation in their daily habits—in eating, sleeping, recreation,

etc. Living a life of such moderation, and focusing the entire

energy directed towards meditation upon the Atman, the aspirant

gradually transcends the senses and intellect and merges himself in

the blissful Atman. The seeker finds that the bliss of the Atman is

incomparable, that there is no gain greater than the Self. Having

thus attained perfect union with the Self, the Yogi no more descends

into ignorance or delusion. Such a Yogi does not relish any more the

pleasures of the senses.

 

Lord Krishna again emphasizes that the concentration of the mind on

the Atman should be like a steady flame in a windless place. This

ultimately leads to the vision of the Lord in all beings and

creatures. Arjuna is doubtful whether it is at all possible to engage

the mind steadily on the higher Self, as its very nature seems to be

one of restlessness. Krishna assures Arjuna that the Sadhana

(practice) can succeed through Vairagya (dispassion), Shraddha (faith

with strong conviction) and with a purified mind.

 

Arjuna wishes to know the fate of the aspirant who fails to realize

the Supreme in spite of possessing the virtues that include Shraddha,

Vairgaya and the Yagna spirit. Lord Krishna assures that a seeker

with accumulated power of Yogic practices can spiritually grow and

attain more favorable conditions for Sadhana. The aspirant will then

be compelled to carry on the Yogic practices with greater vigor and

faith and will finally achieve God-realization.

 

Essentially in this chapter, Lord Krishna hints that spiritual growth

of a seeker takes time and efforts. Sooner or later (depends on the

level of Shraddha, Vairaghya and Sadhana) the seeker grows

spiritually and eventually achieve Self-realization. When the actions

are directed with right attitude and towards the inward directions,

Self-realization becomes the absolute reality!

 

regards,

 

Ram Chandran