Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 35

English Translation

The Blessed Lord said O mighty-armed one, undoubtedly the mind is untractable and restless. But, O son of Kunti, it is brought under control through practice and detachment.

Detailed Commentary

।।6.35।। 'असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम्' – Here, the address 'Mahabaho' is to signify Arjuna's valor. Its meaning is that one should never tire while practicing. Arjuna had previously stated that it is difficult to control the mind due to its fickleness. The Lord says that your point is correct, because the mind is very restless (chanchala) and it is indeed difficult to control it. 'अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते' – Arjuna's mother, Kunti, was very discerning (vivekavati) and detached (virakta) from worldly enjoyments. By addressing him as 'Kaunteya', the Lord reminds him that just as his mother was detached, so too should he become detached from the world and engage with the Paramatma. The mind should be withdrawn from the world and fixed upon the Paramatma. Repeatedly fixing the mind on the goal (dhyeya) is called 'abhyasa'. The perfection of abhyasa comes with dedicated time and should be performed continuously. There should be a sense of importance and reverence (adar-buddhi) towards one's goal. Practicing in this manner strengthens the abhyasa. Abhyasa has two types: (1) Fixing the mind on one's aim (lakshya, dhyeya) and being indifferent (udasina) to other mental states (vritti). (2) Wherever the mind wanders, perceiving one's aim there. There are several methods for fixing the mind, such as: (1) The practitioner (sadhaka) sits for meditation and perceives that they have removed the world from their mind and will only contemplate (chintana) on the Lord. (2) Chanting (japa) the Lord's Name, maintaining focus on one sacred Name, and also mentally chanting. (3) Mentally counting the japa. (4) Chanting verbally and mentally in distinct ways. (5) Performing kirtan (devotional singing) of the Name with melodies (raga-ragini) in the mind. (6) Contemplating (chintana) on the divine form (svarupa) of the Lord. (7) Meditating on the Lord, believing "The Lord is before me." Methods of Vairagya: (1) Consider that the world is transient (kshanabhangura) and the Atma is unknowable (agñeya) and immortal. Such contemplation leads to detachment (vairagya) from the world. (2) Serve family members and fulfill their desires, but renounce one's own desires concerning them. (3) Reflect that all faults (dosha), sins (papa), and sorrows (duhkha) arise from attachment (raga) to the world, and happiness (sukha) and peace (shanti) are attained by being free from attachment. Connection: In the previous verse, the discussion was about the control (nigraha) of the mind through abhyasa and vairagya. Now, further on, the Lord presents His view on the attainment of Dhyana Yoga.