Shrimad Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 18: Mokṣha Sanyasa Yogam Verse 57:
(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
Yoga, Means “Union,” Buddhi Yoga Means “Having The Intellect Connected With God”
चेतसा सर्वकर्माणि मयि सन्न्यस्य मत्पर: |
बुद्धियोगमुपाश्रित्य मच्चित्त: सततं भव || 18.57||
chetasā sarva-karmāṇi mayi sannyasya mat-paraḥ
buddhi-yogam upāśhritya mach-chittaḥ satataṁ bhava|| 18.57||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 18- Ver. 57:
Mentally surrender control of all acts to me, identify me to be your ultimate aim, and centre your attention on me by relying on intellectual yoga.
Explanation
Buddhi yoga refers to “having the intellect joined with God,” while yoga denotes “union.” When the intellect is firmly convinced that everything in the universe has come from God, is related to him, and was created with his fulfillment in mind, then this intellectual union takes place. Let’s examine how the intellect functions within our internal structure.
The subtle anta kara, also known as the etheric heart or the heart, resides within our body. It has four different aspects. Mana, or mind, is the term used when it generates thoughts. We refer to it as intellect, or buddhi, when it thinks and makes decisions. We refer to it as chitta when it becomes linked to something or someone. We refer to it as ahankara, or ego, when it starts to take pride in the physical characteristics of the body.
The intellect occupies a key position in this internal system. It makes decisions, and the mind seeks things in line with those decisions, leading to the chitta’s attachment to the things it is attracted to. For instance, the mind would always seek for security in life if the intellect determines that security is the most important thing in the world. We humans use our brains to manage our minds throughout the day. Because of this, rage moves downward.
In order to use the intellect to direct the mind in the right direction, we must cultivate it with appropriate knowledge. This is what Shree Krishna means by buddhi yoga—making a firm intellectual decision that everything and everything’s purpose is to please God. The chitta is a person of strong intellect who easily becomes attached to God.
Verse & what we can learn
In this shloka, Shri Krishna summarizes karma yoga and bhakti yoga. As we saw in the preceding shloka, we must continue doing our duty, not stress out too much if we unintentionally engage in an unlawful activity, and think of Ishvara as the one and only aashraya, the supreme shelter. How does this function in reality? This shloka outlines a step-by-step process for doing karma yoga and bhakti yoga for the convenience of the seeker.
The seeker should first identify Ishvara as his ultimate objective. This is a mat paraha, a person who is entirely focused on Ishvara. The next step for such a seeker is to give Ishvara control over every activity.
Whatever you do, whatever you eat, whatever you give or offer, and whatever penance you undertake, surrender it to me, Shri Krishna had commanded in the ninth chapter. The sarvakarmaani sanyasya is this. Nothing is done with the intention of achieving personal gain, such as money, status, power, or vanity. Nothing is done besides for Ishvara.
Now, the seeker needs to develop a strategy for dealing with obstacles in life. The solution is equanimity. All actions are carried out fully conscious and consciously as a sacrifice to Ishvara. Nothing is done carelessly. When an action is finished, the seeker shouldn’t become tied to either success or failure. Only through considering each thing, person, and circumstance met in life as a gift or prasada from Ishvara can one come to possess such a mindset.
To acquire knowledge and to implement that knowledge in life one needs to be mentally and physically active and healthy and for that daily meditation is a great tool.
There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There is also numerous meditation techniques for beginners which help in practicing daily meditation so go ahead and start your journey towards a peaceful and balanced life.
In the next shloka Shri Krishna talks about divine grace.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…