Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 19

English Translation

As a lamp kept in a windless place does not flicker, such is the simile thought of for the yogi whose mind is under control, and who is engaged in concentration on the Self.

Detailed Commentary

।।6.19।। Explanation—'Yathā dīpo nivātastho... yuñjato yogamātmanaḥ'—Just as a lamp placed in a windless spot does not flicker, similarly, he whose mind is absorbed in the contemplation of the Atmaswaroop (true Self) and who practices Yoga, his Chitta (mind-consciousness) also remains steady. This means that the Yogi's mind remains fixed on a single form, where no other thought arises. The term 'yatachittasya' used here refers to the Yogi whose mind was described as disciplined in the previous verse. No place is entirely devoid of wind. Wind is everywhere, sometimes gentle, sometimes almost imperceptible. Therefore, 'nivātasthaḥ' does not mean the absence of air, but rather the absence of disturbing wind. Why was the Chitta compared to a lamp's flame instead of stable objects like a mountain? Because a lamp's flame can flicker with wind, whereas a mountain remains steady. But a mountain is naturally stable and inert, while a lamp's flame is flickering (chapal) and luminous (prakashmān). It is more difficult to keep a flickering object steady. The Chitta, by its very nature, is also flickering (chapal), which is why it is compared to a lamp's flame. Secondly, just like a lamp's flame, the Yogi's Chitta is also luminous and remains conscious of the principle of the Paramatma (Supreme Self). This awareness is not like sleep. In both sleep and Samadhi, the cessation of worldly thoughts is similar, but in sleep, the Chitta merges into Avidya (ignorance), preventing the recognition of one's true nature (Swaroop). However, in Samadhi, the Chitta remains awake and there is realization (bodha) of the true nature (Swaroop). Therefore, the example of a lamp's flame is given here. This point is mentioned in the twenty-seventh verse of the fourth chapter using the word 'jñānadīpite'. Connection—The state that grants perfection will be described in detail in the next verse.