Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 52

English Translation

One who resorts to solitude, eats sparingly, has speech, body and mind under control, to whom meditation and concentration are ever the highest (duty), and who is possessed of dispassion;

Detailed Commentary

Connected with a purified intellect (Buddhyā viśuddhayā yuktaḥ) – The Sāṅkhya-yogī aspirant who desires to attain the Paramātman must possess an intellect that is pure (viśuddha) and sāttvic, entirely free from doubt. The intellect is primary, for it is within the intellect that discrimination (viveka) manifests. Through this discrimination, one renounces all materiality (jaḍatā). Firmly established in dispassion (Vairāgyaṁ samupāśritaḥ) – Just as worldly individuals rely on objects or persons with attachment (rāga), so too is the inherent nature of the Sāṅkhya-yogī aspirant to rely upon dispassion (vairāgya). One remains naturally unattached (nirlipta) to society and places. One possesses firm dispassion towards both worldly (laukika) and celestial (pāralaukika) enjoyments. One who resorts to solitude (Viviktasevī) – The Sāṅkhya-yogī aspirant prefers to dwell in solitude (ekānta). While one experiences joy upon finding solitude, one should not be perturbed if it is unavailable. Even amidst a crowd, if solitude is not found, one's mind should remain calm and continuously directed. One who eats lightly (Laghvāśī) – The aspirant's food should be light (laghu) and sāttvic. It should be conducive to health, neither excessive nor insufficient, and pure. Controlling oneself with firmness (Dhṛtyātmānaṁ niyamya ca) – Despite worldly temptations, one must not allow one's intellect to deviate from the Paramātman. The senses should be controlled so that they engage in nothing contrary to one's spiritual practice (sādhanā). One who has controlled speech, body, and mind (Yatavākkāyamānasaḥ) – It is essential to restrain the body, speech, and mind. The body should not wander aimlessly, nor should there be an excessive fondness for seeing and hearing. Speech should not be in vain, and the mind should not contemplate the world with attachment (rāga). One should not strive for external relationships. Having cast aside attraction and aversion (Rāgadveṣau vyudasya ca) – One should not assign importance to any object and remain free from attachment (rāga) and aversion (dveṣa), as these obstruct Dhyāna-yoga. Ever devoted to Dhyāna-yoga (Dhyānayogaparo nityam) – The aspirant should always remain steadfast in Dhyāna-yoga. Even during worldly interactions, the conviction should persist that nothing other than the Paramātman is true. Having abandoned egoism, force, arrogance... (Ahaṅkāraṁ balaṁ darpaṁ... vimucya) – The aspirant should renounce egoism (ahaṅkāra), self-importance arising from strength (bala), arrogance (darpa), desire (kāma), anger (krodha), and possessiveness (parigraha). Free from mineness (Nirmamaḥ) – There should be no sense of mineness (mamatva) towards the objects and resources we possess. Even if they are dear to us, they do not remain ours forever. Peaceful (Śāntaḥ) – Engaging with the world creates agitation. Being free from attachment (rāga) and aversion (dveṣa), the aspirant always remains peaceful. Becomes fit for becoming Brahman (Brahmabhūyāya kalpate) – A Nirmama (free from mineness) and Śānta (peaceful) aspirant becomes eligible for the attainment of Paramātman. As long as one's connection with unreal (asatya) objects persists, the attainment of Paramātman is not possible. Connection – What transpires upon achieving steadfastness through the aforementioned means is elucidated in the subsequent verse.