Bhagavad Gita Chapter 2, Verse 61

English Translation

Controlling all of them, one should remain concentrated on Me as the supreme. For, the wisdom of one whose organs are under control becomes steadfast.

Detailed Commentary

Explanation: 'तनि सर्वाणि संयम्य युक्त आसीत मत्परः' — The senses that forcibly agitate the mind should be controlled with vigilance, and one should surrender oneself to God. When a *sadhaka* (spiritual aspirant) brings the senses under control, an ego of his own strength arises within him, which distances him from God. Therefore, the *sadhaka* should not harbor pride in his own strength while restraining the senses, but should understand it as a result of divine grace (*Bhagavad-kripa*). Only by being solely devoted to God (*Bhagavad-parayana*) in this manner does his *sadhana* (spiritual practice) succeed. The meaning of '*Matparah*' is that human life, interest in *sadhana*, inclination towards *sadhana*, and its accomplishment, all depend solely on divine grace (*Bhagavad-kripa*). However, due to ego (*abhimana*), less attention is paid to this. Among *Karma Yogis*, action (*karma*) is predominant, and they consider it the result of their own endeavor (*purushartha*). Therefore, Bhagavan, out of special grace, tells the *Karma Yogi sadhaka* about being solely devoted to Him. Being solely devoted to God (*Bhagavan*) means to give importance only to God and consider Him as one's own, not the world (*samsara*). Because God is always with us, while the world is not. The *sadhaka*'s 'I-ness' (sense of self) should remain attached only to God. The glory of *Bhagavad-parayanata* (sole devotion to God) is extolled in the Gita, for instance, 'Among all *yogis*, he who worships Bhagavan with faith and love is the most superior' (6.47). 'वशे हि यस्येन्द्रियाणि तस्य प्रज्ञा प्रतिष्ठिता' — Previously, Bhagavan stated that even upon detachment of the senses from their objects, steady wisdom (*sthita-prajnata*) does not arise; and now He says that only he whose senses are under control is of steady wisdom (*sthita-prajna*). This means that there (in 2.59), even though the senses are detached from their objects, the inner taste (*rasa-buddhi*) for them persists, and therefore the senses are not truly under control. However, here, the *sthita-prajna* person's senses are under control, and his *rasa-buddhi* has completely ceased. Therefore, it is not a rule that *sthita-prajnata* immediately arises upon the detachment of senses from their objects, because *rasa-buddhi* can still remain. But once *sthita-prajnata* is achieved, the senses will certainly be under control. Connection: Only by being solely devoted to Bhagavan can the senses be brought under control and *rasa-buddhi* eliminated. But what happens when one is not solely devoted to Bhagavan, is explained in the next verse.