Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 24

English Translation

By totally eschewing all desires which arise from thoughts, and restraining with the mind itself all the organs from every side;

Detailed Commentary

[The state attained by the Karma Yogi who renounces the fruits of action (6.19) is the same state attained by one who meditates on Saguna Sakara Bhagavan (6.14-15), and by the Dhyana Yogi who meditates on their own true Self (6.18-23). Now, to explain that the same state is also attained by one who meditates on the Nirguna Nirakara, Bhagavan proceeds with the following section.] 'Sankalpa-prabhavān kāmāṁs tyaktvā sarvān aśeṣataḥ' – The various thoughts that arise in the mind concerning worldly objects, persons, substances, places, times, events, circumstances, etc., among which the thought that appears desirable, beautiful, and necessary takes the form of *sankalpa*. Similarly, a thought that carries the contrary notion – "these objects, persons, etc., are unfavorable, they are not useful to us" – also becomes *sankalpa*. From *sankalpa*, the 'desire' (*kāmanā*) "this should be so, and this should not be so" arises. Thus, desires born of *sankalpa* should be completely abandoned. Here, the word *kāmāṁ* is in the plural, yet giving the word *sarvān* with it means that no desire of any kind should remain. *Aśeṣataḥ* means that even the seed of desire (subtle *saṁskāra*) should not remain. Because from a single seed of a tree, a large forest can grow. Therefore, even desire in its seed form must be abandoned. 'Manasaiva indriyagrāmaṁ viniyamya samantataḥ' – The multitude of senses, through which sound, touch, form, taste, and smell – these objects are experienced, should be completely controlled by the mind. That is, with the mind, withdraw the senses from their respective objects. *Samantataḥ* means that there should be no contemplation of objects like sound, touch, etc., by the mind, and no attraction whatsoever towards worldly honor, praise, comfort, etc. The import is that the Dhyana Yogi should resolve to completely sever connection with objects through the senses and the *antaḥkaraṇa*. Connection – In the previous verse, Bhagavan spoke of resolving to abandon all desires and restrain the senses. Now, in the following verse, the means of how to abandon desires and restrain the senses are explained.