BHAGAVAD-GITA 6:24

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BHAGAVAD-GITA 6:24

 

sa niscayena yoktavyo

yogo 'nirvinna-cetasa

sankalpa-prabhavan kamams

tyaktva sarvan asesatah

manasaivendriya-gramam

viniyamya samantatah

 

WORD FOR WORD

 

sah--that; niscayena--with firm determination; yoktavyah--must be

practiced; yogah--yoga system; anirvinna-cetasa--without deviation;

sankalpa--mental speculations; prabhavan--born of; kaman--material

desires; tyaktva--giving up; sarvan--all; asesatah--completely;

manasa--by the mind; eva--certainly; indriya-gramam--the full set of

senses; viniyamya--regulating; samantatah--from all sides.

 

TRANSLATION

 

One should engage oneself in the practice of yoga with determination

and faith and not be deviated from the path. One should abandon,

without exception, all material desires born of mental speculation and

thus control all the senses on all sides by the mind.

 

PURPORT

 

The yoga practitioner should be determined and should patiently

prosecute the practice without deviation. One should be sure of

success at the end and pursue this course with great perseverance, not

becoming discouraged if there is any delay in the attainment of

success. Success is sure for the rigid practitioner. Regarding

bhakti-yoga, Rupa Gosvami says:

 

utsahan niscayad dhairyat

tat-tat-karma-pravartanat

sanga-tyagat sato vrtteh

sadbhir bhaktih prasidhyati

 

"One can execute the process of bhakti-yoga successfully with full-hearted

enthusiasm, perseverance, and determination, by following the

prescribed duties in the association of devotees and by engaging

completely in activities of goodness." (Upadesamrta 3)

 

As for determination, one should follow the example of the sparrow who

lost her eggs in the waves of the ocean. A sparrow laid her eggs on

the shore of the ocean, but the big ocean carried away the eggs on its

waves. The sparrow became very upset and asked the ocean to return her

eggs. The ocean did not even consider her appeal. So the sparrow

decided to dry up the ocean. She began to pick out the water in her

small beak, and everyone laughed at her for her impossible

determination. The news of her activity spread, and at last Garuda,

the gigantic bird carrier of Lord Visnu, heard it. He became

compassionate toward his small sister bird, and so he came to see the

sparrow. Garuda was very pleased by the determination of the small

sparrow, and he promised to help. Thus Garuda at once asked the ocean

to return her eggs lest he himself take up the work of the sparrow.

The ocean was frightened at this, and returned the eggs. Thus the

sparrow became happy by the grace of Garuda.

 

Similarly, the practice of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga in Krsna

consciousness, may appear to be a very difficult job. But if anyone

follows the principles with great determination, the Lord will surely

help, for God helps those who help themselves.

 

Copyright 1983 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with

permission.