Hari Gopinath Das

This chapter focuses on the practical application of yoga, particularly the meditative process, and how it leads to self-realization and connection with the Supreme.

I. The True Yogi (Verses 1-4):Renunciation vs. Action: Krishna clarifies that a true renunciant (sannyasi) or yogi is not one who simply gives up fire sacrifices or external activities, but one who acts without attachment to the fruits of his work. The focus is on the internal attitude of detachment.Karma-yoga as the Beginning: For one new to the yoga system, karma-yoga (action without attachment) is the means to reach the stage of dhyāna-yoga (meditation). For one already advanced, cessation of material activities is the means.No Material Desire: A person is considered to be advanced in yoga when he has given up all material desires and is no longer attached to sense gratification or fruitive activities.

Prabhupada’s Purport: Prabhupada emphasizes that the karma-yogi is a true renunciant because he acts without personal motivation, dedicating everything to Krishna. He clarifies that dhyana-yoga is difficult without first purifying the mind through karma-yoga.

II. Elevating the Self by the Self (Verses 5-9):The Mind as Friend or Enemy: One must elevate oneself by one’s own mind, and not degrade oneself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul when it is controlled, but an enemy when it is uncontrolled.Mastery Over the Mind: For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind remains the greatest enemy.Symptoms of Self-Realization: One who has controlled the mind attains tranquility, remains undisturbed in heat and cold, happiness and distress, honor and dishonor. Such a person is situated in samadhi (trance).Equal Vision: A yogi is superior when he regards equally honest well-wishers, affectionate benefactors, the neutral, mediators, the envious, friends, and enemies, as well as the pious and the sinners.

Prabhupada’s Purport: Prabhupada highlights the crucial role of the mind. The mind is a powerful tool, and if trained in Krishna consciousness, it becomes the greatest ally. Without mind control, spiritual progress is impossible. He explains that samadhi in this context means being absorbed in the Supersoul (Paramatma) or Bhagavan.

III. The Process of Dhyana-yoga (Verses 10-19):Solitude and Austerity: A yogi should always try to concentrate his mind on the Supreme Self, living alone in a secluded place, constantly controlling his mind, free from desires and proprietorship.Setting the Asana: He should sit on a soft, clean cloth or deer skin, neither too high nor too low, in a sacred place.Bodily Posture: He should hold his body, neck, and head erect and steady, gazing at the tip of the nose, not looking about.Mind Control and Fearlessness: With a serene, fearless, and celibate mind, always thinking of Krishna and Him alone, one should sit in yoga.Regulation of Habits: This yoga is not for one who eats too much or too little, sleeps too much or too little. It requires regulated habits in eating, sleeping, recreation, and work.Perfection of Yoga: When the yogi practices steadily, his mind becomes stable like the flame of a candle in a windless place, fixed on the Supreme. At this stage, he experiences transcendental pleasure, is never bewildered, and considers the greatest gain.

Prabhupada’s Purport: Prabhupada emphasizes that these strict rules are for the hatha-yoga and rāja-yoga systems, which aim for impersonal liberation. However, he strongly asserts that in the current age, these practices are practically impossible to execute perfectly. He repeatedly points out that bhakti-yoga (devotional service), particularly chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, is the most practical and effective form of meditation for everyone, leading directly to the same goal with much less difficulty. He notes that the ultimate goal of all yoga is to fix the mind on Vishnu (Krishna).

IV. Difficulties and Failures in Yoga (Verses 20-36):The Steadied Mind: When the mind is withdrawn from material activities through yoga practice, the yogi becomes fully absorbed in the self by the pure mind.Supreme Happiness: In this stage of perfect samadhi, one experiences unbounded transcendental happiness, knows that there is nothing greater, and is never shaken, even in the midst of the greatest difficulty.Determination and Perseverance: One must practice yoga with determination and faith, without deviation, gradually withdrawing the mind from material engagements.Restraining the Fickle Mind: Wherever the mind wanders, it should be brought back and fixed on the Self.Transcendental Bliss: The yogi whose mind is fixed on Krishna (or the Supersoul) attains the highest perfection of transcendental happiness, being free from passion and all sinful reactions.Equal Vision of the Yogi: A true yogi sees Krishna in everything and everything in Krishna, always seeing the Supreme Lord everywhere.Arjuna’s Doubt about the Mind: Arjuna expresses his doubt about controlling the mind, calling it restless, turbulent, obstinate, and very strong, like trying to control the wind.Krishna’s Concession: Krishna agrees that the mind is indeed very difficult to control, but confirms that it can be controlled by constant practice and detachment.

Prabhupada’s Purport: Prabhupada again reinforces that for the present age, the mind is extremely difficult to control through mechanical yoga practices. He reiterates that engaging the mind directly in Krishna’s service (chanting, hearing, serving) is the most effective and natural way to control it. He highlights the compassion of Krishna in acknowledging the difficulty, while still providing the solution.

V. The Fate of the Unsuccessful Yogi (Verses 37-47):Arjuna’s Question about the Fallen Yogi: Arjuna inquires about the fate of one who begins the path of yoga but fails to achieve perfection due to an uncontrolled mind, falling away from the path.No Loss of Progress: Krishna assures that such an unsuccessful yogi never meets with destruction, either in this life or the spiritual world. He is given the opportunity to take birth in a righteous or wealthy family.Birth in a Devotional Family: Or, he may take birth in a family of transcendentalists (devotees), which is even more rare and valuable.Resumption of Practice: In such a favorable birth, he automatically revives his divine consciousness from his previous life and strives for further advancement towards perfection.Superiority of the Yogi: A yogi is greater than the ascetic, the empiricist, and the fruitive worker. Therefore, Arjuna, be a yogi.The Topmost Yogi: And of all yogis, he who always abides in Me with great faith, worshiping Me in transcendental loving service, is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all.

Prabhupada’s Purport: Prabhupada concludes the chapter by unequivocally stating that bhakti-yoga (devotional service to Krishna) is the highest form of yoga. He emphasizes that a sincere attempt in spiritual life, especially in Krishna consciousness, is never wasted. Even if one falls down, the progress made is preserved, and one is guaranteed another opportunity to continue.

The final verse (6.47) is presented as the culmination of the entire chapter, explicitly identifying the bhakta (devotee) as the supreme yogi, thus linking dhyana-yoga directly to bhakti-yoga.

In summary, Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad-gita, as explained by Srila Prabhupada, details the process of dhyana-yoga (meditation) but ultimately culminates in the superiority and practicality of bhakti-yoga. It teaches how to control the mind, attain spiritual equilibrium, and achieve liberation, all while emphasizing that the most effective and recommended path in this age is to fix one’s mind directly on Lord Krishna in loving devotional service.

5 important slokas

1

Chapter 6, Text 5

uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayetātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥTranslation:One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.

2

Chapter 6, Text 6

bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥanātmanas tu śatrutve vartetātmaiva śatru-vat

Translation:For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his very mind will be the greatest enemy.

3

Chapter 6, Text 16

nāty-aśnatas ‘tu yogo ‘sti na caikāntam an-aśnataḥna cāti-svapna-śīlasya jāgrato naiva cārjuna

Translation:There is no possibility of one’s becoming a yogī, O Arjuna, if one eats too much or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough.

4

Chapter 6, Text 26

yato yato niścarati manaś cañcalam asthiramtatas tato niyamyaitad ātmany eva vaśaṁ nayet

Translation:From wherever the mind wanders due to its flickering and unsteady nature, one must certainly withdraw it and bring it back under the control of the self.

5 Chapter 6, Text 47

yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanāśraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ sa me yuktatamo mataḥ

Translation:And of all yogīs, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me — he is the most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.

Jaya Srila Prabhupada!!