Message of Gita

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The Atma is not born nor does He ever die. He is unborn, eternal,

changeless, ancient and inexhaustible. He is not killed when the body

is killed. He slays not, nor is he slain.

 

A Sthitaprajna or Jivanmukta is free from desires, longings, fears,

mineness, 'I-ness' and attachment. He is satisfied in his own self.

He is indifferent amidst sensual pleasures. He is not elated by

getting desirable objects. He has a poised mind at all times and

under all conditions. He is centred in his own self.

 

Work incessantly without egoism and without expectation of fruits.

Have a balanced mind in success and failure. You will not be bound by

Karmas or actions.

 

The senses move among sense-objects. Seeing, hearing, touching,

smelling, eating, going, sleeping, breathing, speaking, sneezing,

opening and closing the eyes are the functions or Dharmas of the

organs only. In reality thou art the silent witness of the activities

of the senses and the modifications of the mind. Prakriti or Svabhava

does everything. The Atma is actionless (Nishkriya). In essence, thou-

art the Atma.

 

With the mind harmonised in Yoga, he who sees the Self in all beings

and all beings in the Self sees the same everywhere.

 

He who hates no creature, who is friendly and compassionate to all,

who is free from attachment and egoism, balanced in pleasure and

pain, forgiving, ever-content, steady in meditation, self-controlled,

possessed of firm conviction with mind and intellect dedicated to the

Lord, who neither rejoices nor hates, neither grieves nor desires,

who is full of devotion, who is the same to a foe and a friend in

honour and dishonour, who is the same in cold and heat, in pleasure

and pain, who is balanced in censure and praise, is a great devotee

or Gunatita. He is very dear to the Lord.

 

Doubtless the mind is fleeting like the air, impetuous and restless.

It is hard to be controlled. But by practice (Abhyasa) and dispassion

(Vairagya) it can be controlled.

 

Fix your mind on the Lord. Become His devotee. Sacrifice everything

unto the Lord. Bow down to Him. Surely you will attain Him. Abandon

the fruits of all works. Take refuge in the Lord alone. He will

liberate you from all sins.

 

Wherever is Krishna, the Lord of Yoga; wherever is Partha, the

archer; there is prosperity, victory, happiness and sound policy.

 

(Source: Essence of Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda)