Bhagavad Gita Chapter 8, Verse 12

English Translation

Having controlled all the passages, having confined the mind in the heart, and having fixed his own vital force in the head, (and then) continuing in the firmness in yoga;

Detailed Commentary

Explanation— 'Sarva-dvarani samyamya' — (At the time of death) one should control all the gateways of the senses; that is, withdraw the *Jnana-indriyas* (senses of knowledge) — ears, skin, eyes, tongue, and nose — from their five respective objects: sound, touch, form, taste, and smell; and completely withdraw the *Karma-indriyas* (organs of action) — speech, hands, feet, generative organ, and anus — from their five actions: speaking, grasping, walking, excretion, and elimination. Thus, the senses will remain in their own places. 'Mano hrudi nirudhya cha' — Stabilize the mind within the heart, meaning do not let the mind wander towards external objects. Thus, the mind will remain in its own place (the heart). 'Murdhnyadhay-atmanah pranam' — Hold the *Pranas* (life-breaths) in the head, meaning, by gaining control over the *Pranas*, stop them at the tenth gate — the *Brahmarandhra*. 'Asthito yoga-dharanam' — Thus, one should establish oneself in *Yoga-dharana* (yogic concentration). To cease all activity of the senses, to stop all mental *sankalpa* (thoughts) and *vikalpa* (doubts), and to gain complete control over the *Pranas* — this is what it means to be established in *Yoga-dharana*. 'Om ity ekaksharam brahma vyaharan mam anusmaran' — Thereafter, one should mentally chant the single-syllable *Brahman*, 'Om,' and remember Me, that is, the *Nirguna-Nirakara Param Akshara Brahma* (the attributeless, formless, supreme imperishable *Brahman*), which has been described in the third verse of this very chapter. To hold the conviction that the one *Sat-Chit-Ananda Paramatma* alone pervades as the essence of existence in all places, times, objects, individuals, events, circumstances, etc. — this is to remember Me. 'Yah prayati tyajan deham sa yati paramam gatim' — One who, remembering the *Nirguna-Nirakara* in the aforementioned manner, abandons the body — that is, releases the *Pranas* through the tenth gate — attains the supreme goal, meaning the *Nirguna-Nirakara Paramatma*. Connection— One who possesses the strength of *Yoga* and has control over the *Pranas* certainly attains the *Nirguna-Nirakara*; however, this is difficult for everyone through prolonged practice. Therefore, in the subsequent verse, Bhagavan speaks of the easier attainment of Himself, that is, the *Saguna-Sakara* (with attributes and form).