Bhagavad Gita Chapter 12, Verse 9

English Translation

If, however, you are unable to establish the mind steadily on Me, then, O Dhananjaya, seek to attain Me through the Yoga of Practice.

Detailed Commentary

Commentary on Bhagavad Gita 12.9: "If you are unable to fix your mind on Me, then, O Dhananjaya, desire to attain Me through Abhyasa Yoga." Here, the word 'chittam' means 'mind'. However, since this verse relates to the means described in the previous verse, 'chittam' can be understood to encompass both mind and intellect (buddhi). Lord Krishna tells Arjuna that if you find yourself unable to establish your mind and intellect in Me, then desire to attain Me through Abhyasa Yoga. 'Abhyasa' and 'Abhyasa Yoga' are distinct. Repeatedly focusing attention on a particular goal is called 'Abhyasa,' while equanimity is termed 'Yoga.' Therefore, practicing Abhyasa while maintaining equanimity is known as 'Abhyasa Yoga.' Bhajans, chanting of names (nama-jap), and similar practices performed solely with the objective of attaining the Lord constitute 'Abhyasa Yoga.' If Yoga is not conjoined with Abhyasa, the seeker's goal will remain worldly. When the world is the objective, numerous desires for spouse, children, wealth, property, honor, praise, health, favorable circumstances, etc., will arise. The actions of a person driven by desires will also have varied objectives. Consequently, there will be no Yoga in the actions of such an individual. Yoga will only manifest when the sole objective of the action is the Supreme Self (Paramatma). When a seeker repeatedly attempts nama-jap and similar practices with the aim of attaining Bhagavan, other thoughts (sankalpas) also continue to arise in their mind. Therefore, the seeker should firmly resolve that their sole aim is the attainment of Bhagavan and should keep away from all other thoughts. Through the word 'mamichchhaptaum' (desire to attain Me), the Lord indicates 'Abhyasa Yoga' as an independent means for His attainment. In the previous verse, the Lord had instructed one to offer their mind and intellect to Him. Now, in this verse, He speaks of Abhyasa Yoga. This might lead to the misconception that Abhyasa Yoga is a means to offer the mind and intellect to the Lord, and thus, first through Abhyasa, the mind and intellect will be offered to the Lord, and then the Lord will be attained. However, it is not necessarily the case that offering the mind and intellect directly leads to the attainment of Bhagavan. According to the Lord, if the sole objective is the attainment of Bhagavan and the seeker is entirely focused on achieving it, then Bhagavatprapti is possible even through Abhyasa alone. When a seeker repeatedly performs nama-jap, bhajan-kirtan, shravan (listening), etc., with the aim of attaining Bhagavan, their mind becomes pure and the desire to attain Bhagavan awakens. When one remains equipoised in worldly success and failure, the intense desire to attain Bhagavan increases. From this desire arises an intense yearning (vyakulata) to meet Bhagavan. This yearning destroys all remaining worldly attachments and sins. When sins and worldly delusion (moha) are eradicated, their complete love becomes fixed on Bhagavan, and they cannot bear separation (viyoga) from Him. When the devotee cannot live without Bhagavan, Bhagavan also does not delay in meeting them. The reason for the delay in the seeker's attainment of Bhagavan is that they are tolerating separation from Bhagavan. If they become intolerant of separation from Bhagavan, there will be no delay in meeting Him. The distance from Bhagavan is not due to space, time, object, person, etc. Wherever the seeker is, there Bhagavan is. The delay in Bhagavatprapti occurs only due to a lack of eagerness (utsukata) in the devotee. Due to the desire for worldly pleasures and enjoyments, it is assumed that Bhagavatprapti will happen in the future. When there is an intense desire and yearning (vyakulata) to attain Bhagavan, the desire for pleasures and enjoyments will automatically be destroyed, and Bhagavatprapti will occur at that very moment. If from the very beginning, the seeker has the firm resolve that they only wish to attain Bhagavan (regardless of any worldly perspective), then they can quickly attain Bhagavatprapti through any path, be it Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, or Bhakti Yoga.