Bhagavad Gita Chapter 18, Verse 53

English Translation

(That person,) having discarded egotism, force, pride, desire, anger and superfluous possessions, free from the idea of possession, and serene, is fit for becoming Brahman.

Detailed Commentary

**Explanation:** **Endowed with a purified intellect (Buddhya vishuddhaya yuktah):** The yogi-sadhaka who desires to attain the Paramatman must possess a pure and sattvic buddhi. There should be no trace of doubt within it. In Sankhyayoga, the necessity of viveka (discrimination) manifests within the buddhi itself, and through it, one renounces inertness (jada-bhava). **Resorting to Vairagya (Vairagyam samupashritah):** Just as people in the world consider objects and individuals as their support, similarly, the yogi-sadhaka relies on Vairagya and naturally remains unattached to crowds, places, and so forth. He possesses firm Vairagya towards both worldly and otherworldly enjoyments. **Dwelling in solitude (Viviktasevi):** The sadhaka's nature is to reside in solitude. While an inclination for solitude is beneficial, there should be no rigid insistence on it. Even if solitude is not available, he is not perturbed. Even if a crowd is encountered without insistence (on solitude), the sadhaka remains equipoised. **Eating lightly (Lagvashi):** The sadhaka's nature should be to consume little and sattvic food. Food should be neither excessive nor insufficient, but only that much which sustains the body. One should consume food like medicine, not for pleasure. **And restraining the self with steadfastness (Dhritatmanam niyamya cha):** The sadhaka should steadfastly keep his buddhi connected with Paramatman and control the senses. There should be no endeavor by the senses contrary to the spiritual practice (sadhana). **With body, speech, and mind controlled (Yatavakkayamanasah):** It is essential to keep the body, speech, and mind disciplined. One should refrain from wandering aimlessly, speaking unnecessarily, and uttering falsehoods. The mind should harbor thoughts of Paramatman, not of the world. **Having abandoned sense objects like sound (Shabdadinvishayamstyaktva):** During meditation, all sense objects (vishayas) should be relinquished. Indulgence in sense objects obstructs Dhyanayoga. **And casting off attachment and aversion (Ragadveshau vyudasya cha):** Worldly objects are not important. One should remain free from raga (attachment) and dvesha (aversion). The sadhaka should neither be attached nor averse. **Constantly devoted to Dhyanayoga (Dhyanayogaparo nityam):** The sadhaka should constantly remain devoted to Dhyanayoga. In reality, there is no existence other than the one Paramatman. **Relinquishing ego, strength, arrogance (Ahamkaram balam darpam vimuchya):** Ego (Ahamkara) arising from qualities, strength (bala), arrogance (darpa), desire (kama), anger (krodha), and acquisitiveness (parigraha) should be abandoned. **Free from possessiveness (Nirmamah):** There should be no possessiveness (mamata) towards the body and objects. One should not be attached to things that were never one's own and will not remain so in the future. **Peaceful (Shantah):** The cause of restlessness is one's connection with the world. When there is a complete renunciation of inertness (jada-bhava), the sadhaka attains peace (shanti). **Becomes fit for Brahma-bhava (Brahmabhuyaya kalpate):** When possessiveness (mamata) and restlessness are renounced, the sadhaka becomes worthy of attaining Paramatman. **Connection:** What happens after steadfastness is attained through the aforementioned practices is described in the subsequent verse.