Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 14

English Translation

He should remain seated with a placid mind, free from fear, firm in the vow of a celibate, and with the mind fixed on Me by controlling it through concentration, having Me as the supreme Goal.

Detailed Commentary

।।6.14।। Explanation -- 'Prashānta Ātmā' -- One whose mind is free from attachment (rāga) and aversion (dveṣa) is called 'Prashānta Ātmā' (peaceful self/mind). For one whose sole aim is to attain the Paramātmā, their rāga-dveṣa gradually cease. With the eradication of rāga-dveṣa, peace naturally arises. Sorrow and joy, rāga-dveṣa, etc., arise solely due to worldly relations, and it is because of these that peace is disturbed. When these dualities (dvandva) cease, natural peace manifests. One who has attained this natural peace is called 'Prashānta Ātmā'. 'Vigata Bhīḥ' -- Fear arises solely from identifying the body as 'I' and 'mine'. But when a person abandons the sense of 'I' and 'mine' towards the body, then they become fearless. Their conviction is that whatever is destined to happen to the body, will happen. With this understanding, they become completely fearless. 'Brahmacārī Vrate Sthitaḥ' -- Here, 'Brahmacārī vrata' does not merely imply celibacy, but a restrained and disciplined life. A Dhyānayogī (meditative yogi) must also keep their life disciplined. Like a Brahmacārī, a Dhyānayogī should not indulge in any sense objects (viṣaya). If they indulge in sense objects with a mind for enjoyment (bhogabuddhi), then the perfection (siddhi) of Dhyānayoga will not be achieved. Therefore, it is essential for a Dhyānayogī to remain established in the Brahmacārī vrata. 'Manaḥ Saṁyamya Maccittaḥ' -- Restrain the mind and fix it on Bhagavān. Withdraw the mind from worldly things and contemplate on Bhagavān's attributes (guṇa), divine play (līlā), glory (mahimā), etc. Contemplation on worldly things is merely external, but contemplation on Bhagavān leads to true welfare (kalyāṇa). Therefore, one should withdraw the mind from worldly contemplation and fix it on Bhagavān. 'Yuktaḥ' -- Be vigilant during meditation; always remain aware to withdraw the mind from the world and fix it on Bhagavān. The alertness to fix the mind on Bhagavān should be maintained both in solitude (ekānta) and in daily activities (vyavahāra). Both are mutually supportive. 'Āsīta Matparaḥ' -- The sole object of meditation (dhyeya) should be Bhagavān; there should be no worldly desires (vāsanā) or longings (kāmanā). Do not hold any other desire or attachment (āsakti) in the mind besides Bhagavān. The process of Dhyānayoga has been explained through the phrases 'Yukta Āsīta Matparaḥ'.