utthana-path-tuesday
Archive for the 'Chapter 6' Category
The Restless Mind – Dhyana Yoga 34
In our previous post, we saw Arjuna saying that the mind is restless and he expects that the Lord will tell him to control the mind. Now, he wants to say why the control of the mind is very difficult.
In pursuit of Progress – Utthaana Path
It is after a long gap, I am picking up the thread of posts regarding उत्थान पथ (Path to a Spiritual High). Thanks to AjitJi for the reminder
Today’s post from utthaana path is the reading from Bhagvadgita for Mondays. Designated as उन्नति का मार्ग – the path to be followed in pursuit of [...]
Can there be order in Chaos? – Dhyana Yoga 33
In the last few posts, we had been discussing the process of controlling and quietening the mind in great detail. Now, Arjuna who had been listening to all this from the Lord, suddenly had a major doubt. Arjuna was an intellectual student and so he attempts to shake the basic statement of the teacher. He [...]
Do as you would be done by – Dhyana Yoga 32
In our previous post we saw how the Lord has given a carte blanche to a realized yogi because all his actions will be noble and selfless. Such a yogi, the lord knows, will only strive to serve all beings because he sees God in all beings. This master of yoga, this perfect yogi behaves [...]
Always with the Lord – Dhyana Yoga 31
In our last post, we talked about how the Yogi is able to see the Lord in everything and always acts in the best interest of others. We also discussed how we need to keep sight of the Big Picture while engaged in any activity. In this sloka, the Lord provides a guarantee, a virtual [...]
Keeping Sight of the “Big Picture” – Dhyana Yoga 30
This post talks about how one could lose track in various day to day tasks and the need to see the “Big Picture” as we move towards our Goals.
Never Look down! – Dhyana Yoga 29
In our last post we talked about God realization and goal realization and illustrated this with relation to the mythological story of Satyavan and Savitri. Once a yogi realizes God, what will his attitude be? There is a famous quote by Jesse Jackson that says “Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up”.. [...]
Goal Realization – Dhyana Yoga 28
In our last post on Chapter 6, we talked about progressing up the learning ladder as a person transitions from a stage of unconscious incompetence to unconscious competence.
In today’s post, we shall discuss how complete focus on a goal can help to achieve it, no matter how difficult it might seem and illustrate the [...]
Moving up the Learning Ladder – Dhyana Yoga 27
In this verse, we talk about how a mind that is free from the lower qualities becomes calm and focused towards achieving its goal.
प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम् ।
उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम् ॥६- २७॥
prashaantamanasaM hyenaM yoginaM sukhamuttamam.h .
upaiti shaantarajasaM brahmabhuutamakalmashham.h .. 6.27..
Supreme bliss truly comes to that yogi whose mind is calm, whose passions are subdued, [...]
The Monkey Mind – Dhyana Yoga 26
This post describes Verse 26 of Bhagavad Gita, Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga. This verse deals with the unsteady and restless mind and how to pull the reins to control it.
From Sound to Inner Silence – Guruji’s Gita in Practice – 6
CHAPTER 06
6. 1. Without expecting fruit of actions one who does work, he is a sanyasi and a (karma)yogi, not the one who has given up his sacred fire or all activities
6. 2. What is called sanyasa is also (karma)Yoga. One who have not given up the thoughts of the world can never be [...]
Nothing Else Matters – Dhyana Yoga 25
In our previous post, we talked about how the Yogi, through continuous practice is able to remove all traces of desire and restrain all his senses with his mind. The next Sloka describes how such a resolute Yogi remains firm in his conviction…
शनैः शनैरुपरमेद्बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया ।
आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किंचिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥६- २५॥
shanaiH shanairuparamed.h [...]
Mind Over Matter-Dhyana Yoga 24
In our last post, we discussed the importance of striving hard and persevering when striving for something. Very often, a person who is working hard on something gets distracted by various objects on account of his senses. In today’s post we discuss how to deal with these distractions..
संकल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः ।
मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः ॥६- २४॥
saN^kalpaprabhavaankaamaa.nstyaktvaa sarvaanasheshhataH [...]
Never say Never again – Dhyana Yoga 23
This Sloka talks about the need for persistence and determination in achieving one’s goal. The reward for success is first clearly identified and presented to the Yogi and the need to continue persevering and keep one’s focus and determination is then described.
तं विद्याद्दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम् ।
स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा ॥६- २३॥
taM vidyaad.h duHkhasa.nyogaviyogaM yogasa.nGYitam.h .
sa nishchayena [...]
Nothing Feared, Never Pained – Dhyana Yoga 22
In this post, we continue descrbing the state of contentment that a Yogi attains through meditation..
यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः ।
यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते ॥६- २२॥
yaM labdhvaa chaaparaM laabhaM manyate naadhikaM tataH .
yasminsthito na duHkhena guruNaapi vichaalyate .. 6.22..
And having obtained this state, the yogi does not think of any other gain [...]
Eternal Bliss – Dhyana Yoga 21
The nature of the joy experienced in this stage is elaborated further in the next sloka.
सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् ।
वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः ॥६- २१॥
sukhamaatyantikaM yattad.h buddhigraahyamatiindriyam.h .
vetti yatra na chaivaayaM sthitashchalati tattvataH .. 6.21..
In this state, the soul experiences joy which is permanent and beyond the reach of the senses. This can [...]
Rejoice in Oneself – Dhyana Yoga 20
In the previous verses, we discussed that the yogi who disciplines his mind and is able to focus his thoughts on God alone, is said to be established in yoga. His mind becomes as steady as a lamp in a windless place, because his mind is sheltered by meditation from the winds of desire and [...]
Candle in the wind – Dhyana Yoga 19
The nature of a Yogi’s mind is further described in the next verse using a beautiful example.
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता ।
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः ॥६- १९॥
yathaa diipo nivaatastho neN^gate sopamaa smR^itaa .
yogino yatachittasya yuJNjato yogamaatmanaH .. 6.19..
The mind of the yogi practicing meditation on God is so disciplined and unwavering, like a light [...]
Measuring Progress in Meditation – Dhyana Yoga 18
In the last few verses, there were detailed instructions on how to meditate and even what precautions to follow in terms of food, actions and sleep. Now, how can a person know, if his meditation is progressing well? This is answered in the next Sloka
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते ।
निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ॥६- १८॥
yadaa viniyatam [...]
Regulate Excess to achieve Success – Dhyana Yoga 17
The theme of moderation which was advocated in the previous sloka is now extended to this Sloka as well..
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥६- १७॥
yuktaahaaravihaarasya yuktacheshhTasya karmasu .
yuktasvapnaavabodhasya yogo bhavati duHkhahaa .. 6.17..
Yoga, which removes sorrow is possible only for that person who is regulated in diet and recreation, regulated in performing [...]
Moderation is the Key to Meditation – Dhyana Yoga 16
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः ।
न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥६- १६॥
The Lord now describes the regulations that a yogi must follow in the next two verses.
naatyashnatastu yogo.asti na chaikaantamanashnataH .
na chaatisvapnashiilasya jaagrato naiva chaarjuna .. 6.16..
Arjuna, this yoga is neither for one who overeats, nor for one who starves himself. It is neither for [...]
The Road to Eternal Peace – Dhyana Yoga 15
In slokas 10 to 13, there are detailed descriptions of the setting and process of meditation. The Lord describes, where the yogi must sit, how he must sit and how he should focus his mind and concentration. Then, the fourteenth verse describes the process of meditation on God. The Lord asks the yogi to keep [...]
Calmness is the key to Meditation – Dhyana Yoga 14
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः ।
मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥६- १४॥
prashaantaatmaa vigatabhiirbrahmachaarivrate sthitaH .
manaH sa.nyamya machchitto yukta aasiita matparaH .. 6.14.
The yogi should sit absorbed in thoughts of Me, firm in the vow of brahmacharya and fearless, keeping himself perfectly calm and with the mind held in restraint and fixed on Me (the Lord).
brahmachaarivrite – [...]
Shri Hari Gita 6
Chapter 6 of Bhagvadgita and Shri Hari Gita by Pandit Deena Nath Bhargava “Dinesh.”
The importance of right posture – Dhyana Yoga 13
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः ।
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥६- १३॥
samaM kaayashirogriivaM dhaarayannachalaM sthiraH .
saMprekshya naasikaagraM svaM dishashchaanavalokayan.h .. 6.13.
The yogi should keep the trunk, head and neck straight and steady, remain firm and fix the gaze at the tip of the nose and not look in any other direction.
kayashirogriivaM – the trunk of the body, [...]
Of Focussed Minds & Pure Hearts – Dhyana Yoga 12
तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः ।
उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये ॥६- १२॥
tatraikaagraM manaH kR^itvaa yatachittendriyakriyaaH .
upavishyaasane yuJNjyaad.h yogamaatmavishuddhaye .. 6.12.
After occupying the seat, concentrating the mind and controlling the functions of the mind and senses, he should practice yoga for self purification.
tatra aasane – on that seat : upavishya – sitting : yatachittendriyakriyaH – having controlled the activities [...]
How to Meditate – Step by Step – Dhyana Yoga 11
शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः ।
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥६- ११॥
shuchau deshe pratishhThaapya sthiramaasanamaatmanaH .
naatyuchchhritaM naatiniicha.n chailaajinakushottaram.h .. 6.11.
The yogi should firmly fix his seat in a clean place. The seat should consist of kusha grass, a deer skin and a cloth one over the other, and it should not be too high or too low.
shuchau deshe [...]
Far From the Madding Crowd – Dhyana Yoga 10
In the previous post, we discussed how a dhyaanayogi is able to have the same outlook towards all people.
This is such a difficult quality. All of us like some people, while we simply hate others. If we dislike somebody, then our attitude to them is also bad. Once a friend told me, ” I [...]
