Bhagavad Gita 6.14प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः।मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥
praśhāntātmā vigata-bhīr brahmachāri-vrate
sthitaḥ manaḥ sanyamya mach-chitto yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ
Sanskrit recitation
Practice sitting with the mind · 6.10–6.28 · Teaching
Translation
Serene-minded, fearless, firm in the vow of a Brahmachari, having controlled their mind, thinking of Me and balanced in mind, let them sit, having Me as their supreme goal.
Hindi translation
जिसका अन्तःकरण शान्त है, जो भय-रहित है और जो ब्रह्मचारिव्रतमें स्थित है, ऐसा सावधान योगी मनका संयम करके मेरेमें चित्त लगाता हुआ मेरे परायण होकर बैठे।
Meaning
The spiritual aspirant should possess serenity of mind. The Divine Light can descend only in a serene mind. Serenity is attained by the eradication of Vasanas or desires and cravings. He should be fearless. This is the most important qualification. A timid man or a coward is very far from Selfrealisation.A Brahmachari (celibate) should serve his Guru or the spiritual preceptor wholeheartedly and should live on alms. This also constitutes the BrahmachariVrata. The aspirant should control the modifications of the mind. He should be balanced in pleasure and pain, heat and cold, honour and dishonour. He should ever think of the Lord and take Him as the Supreme Goal.Brahmacharya also means continence. Semen or the vital fluid tones the nerves and the brain, and energises the whole system. That Brahmachari who has preserved this vital force by the vow,of celibacy and sublimated it into Ojas Sakti or radiant spiritual power can practise steady meditation for a long period. Only he can ascend the ladder of Yoga. Without Brahmacharya or celibacy not an iota or spiritual progress is possible. Continence is the very foundation on which the superstructure of meditation and Samadhi can be built up. Many persons waste this vital energy -- a great spiritual treasure indeed -- when they become blind and lose their power of reason under sexual excitement
After Swami Sivananda
Practice sitting with the mind· 6.10–6.28→
Teachers usually read this idea across several verses together, one shared reflection covers the whole unit.
- 6.10Let the yogi constantly strive to keep the mind steady, remaining in solitude, alone, with…
- 6.11In a clean spot, having established a firm seat of his own, neither too high nor too low,…
- 6.12There, having made the mind one-pointed, with the actions of the mind and senses…
- 6.13Let him firmly hold his body, head, and neck erect and still, gazing at the tip of his…
6.14Serene-minded, fearless, firm in the vow of a Brahmachari, having controlled their mind,…
- 6.15Thus, always keeping the mind balanced, the yogi, with the mind controlled, attains the…
- 6.16Verily, Yoga is not possible for him who eats too much, nor for him who does not eat at…
- 6.17Yoga becomes the destroyer of pain for him who is moderate in eating and recreation (such…
- 6.18When the perfectly controlled mind rests in the Self alone, free from longing for any of…
- 6.19As a lamp placed in a windless spot does not flicker, so is the Yogi of a controlled mind,…
- 6.20When the mind, restrained by the practice of yoga, attains quietude, and when one sees the…
- 6.21When he (the Yogi) feels that infinite bliss which can be grasped by the pure intellect…
- 6.22Having obtained it, he thinks there is no other gain superior to it; established in it, he…
- 6.23Let this be known by the name of Yoga, the severance from union with pain. This Yoga…
- 6.24Abandoning unreservedly all desires born of Sankalpa (thought and imagination) and…
- 6.25Little by little, let him attain steadiness of the intellect by holding it firmly; having…
- 6.26From whatever cause the restless and unsteady mind wanders away, let him restrain it from…
- 6.27Supreme Bliss indeed comes to this Yogi whose mind is made peaceful, whose passion is…
- 6.28The yogi, always engaging the mind thus (in the practice of yoga), is freed from sins and…
Word-by-word→
- ātmā
- mind
- manaḥ
- mind
- āsīta
- should sit
- sanyamya
- having controlled
- yuktaḥ
- engaged
- sthitaḥ
- situated
- mat-paraḥ
- having me as the supreme goal
- praśhānta
- serene
- mat-chittaḥ
- meditate on me (Shree Krishna)
- vigata-bhīḥ
- fearless
- brahmachāri-vrate
- in the vow of celibacy
Related verses
- 2.49Far lower than the Yoga of wisdom is action, O Arjuna. Seek thou refuge in wisdom;…
- 4.22Content with what comes to him without effort, free from the pairs of opposites and envy,…
- 5.1Arjuna said, "O Krishna, you praise renunciation of actions and also yoga. Please tell me…
- 6.33Arjuna said, "O Krishna, I do not see how this Yoga of equanimity, which you have taught…