Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 51

English Translation

Being endowed with a pure intellect, and controlling oneself with fortitude, rejecting the objects-beginning from sound [Sound, touch, form and colour, taste and smell.-Tr.], and eliminating attachment and hatred;

Detailed Commentary

Buddhyā Viśuddhayā Yuktaḥ (Endowed with purified intellect): The Sāṅkhya Yogi seeker who wishes to attain the Paramātman, his intellect (*buddhi*) should be pure, meaning *sāttvic*. His intellect should possess clear understanding and be free from any doubt. In Sāṅkhya Yoga, the importance of *buddhi* is highlighted first, as all thoughts manifest from the intellect. Through this realization, he relinquishes inertness. Vairāgyaṁ Samupāśritaḥ (Having taken refuge in dispassion): Just as people in the world rely on objects and individuals, so too the Sāṅkhya Yogi seeker considers *vairāgya* (detachment/dispassion) as his support. He should naturally maintain distance from worldly affairs and places. He should possess firm *vairāgya* towards both worldly and transcendental enjoyments. Viviktasevī (Dwelling in solitude): The seeker should naturally incline towards solitude. He finds joy in solitude, yet even amidst noise, he remains undisturbed. The seeker should have an affinity for dwelling in solitude, but even if solitude is unavailable, his mind should remain unagitated. Laghvāśī (Eating sparingly): The seeker should consume minimal and *sāttvic* food. The food should be suitable for the body, neither too much nor too little. Food should be solely for the sustenance of the body, like medicine. The food should be pure. Dhṛtyātmānaṁ Niyamya Cha (Controlling oneself with firmness): Even amidst worldly temptations, the intellect should not be allowed to deviate from the Paramātman. The senses should be controlled daily. Yatavākkāyamānasaḥ (Having controlled body, speech, and mind): Restraining the body, speech, and mind is essential for the seeker. One should not wander aimlessly with the body, nor utter unnecessary words. One should not engage in worldly thoughts with the mind, but keep it focused on the Paramātman. Śabdādīn Viṣayāṁstyaktvā (Renouncing sound and other sense objects): During meditation, all external sense objects should be relinquished. One cannot practice Dhyāna Yoga while engrossed in external pleasures. Rāgadveṣau Vyudasya Cha (Having cast aside attachment and aversion): Worldly *rāga* (attachment) and *dveṣa* (aversion) should be renounced, as they obstruct Dhyāna Yoga. Dhyānayogaparo Nityam (Ever devoted to Dhyāna Yoga): The seeker should always be absorbed in Dhyāna Yoga and understand that nothing exists as an independent entity apart from the Paramātman. Ahaṅkāraṁ Balaṁ Darpaṁ Vimucya (Having relinquished ego, might, and pride): The seeker renounces *ahaṅkāra* (ego), *bala* (force/strength), *darpa* (arrogance), *kāma* (desire), *krodha* (anger), and *parigraha* (possessiveness). Nirmamaḥ (Free from possessiveness): The seeker should have no sense of *mamata* (possessiveness) towards his body and possessions. Rather than considering them as 'mine', he should merely use them. Śāntaḥ (Peaceful): Maintaining relationships with the world brings unrest to the mind. When these relationships are severed, the seeker abides in peace. Brahmabhūyāya Kalpate (Becomes fit for becoming Brahman): A seeker free from *mamata* and endowed with peace becomes fit for the attainment of Brahman. Connection: What happens upon achieving steadfastness through the aforementioned means is explained in the subsequent verse.