(Image Courtesy Mahanidhiswami)
Mastery of ‘Mind & Senses’ Leads to Success in Spiritual Path
रागद्वेषवियुक्तैस्तु विषयानिन्द्रियैश्चरन् |
आत्मवश्यैर्विधेयात्मा प्रसादमधिगच्छति || 2.64||
rāga-dveṣha-viyuktais tu viṣhayān indriyaiśh charan
ātma-vaśhyair-vidheyātmā prasādam adhigachchhati|| 2.64||
Shloka Translation
BG – Ch. 2- Ver. 64:
However, one who masters the mind and is free of attachment and repulsion, even when employing the senses, achieves God’s Grace.
Explanation
Happiness comes naturally to the soul. When we consider happiness in the right direction, namely, in God. We will develop an attachment to God if we can continuously rewrite the concept that happiness is found in him. This divine attachment, unlike worldly attachment, will not degrade the mind; rather, it will purify it. God is all-pure, and when we connect with him, our minds become pure as well.
When Shree Krishna tells us to let go of our attachments and desires, he solely means material attachments and desires. Spiritual attachment and desire should not be abandoned; in fact, they should be praised. They must be fostered and increased to purify the mind.
The more we build a passionate longing for God, the purer our minds will become.
Aversion and attachment are the two sides of the same coin. Aversion is the opposite of attachment. In the same way that the object of attachment keeps popping into one’s thoughts in attachment, the object of hatred keeps popping into one’s mind in aversion. As a result, attachment and aversion to material items both dirty the mind and drag it into the three phases of material nature.
When the mind is devoid of both attachment and aversion and is completely focused on devotion to God, one receives God’s grace and enjoys his limitless infinite bliss. Even while using the sense objects, the mind is no longer attracted to them after experiencing that higher bliss. As a result, the sthita praja, like all of us, is devoid of both attachment and aversion while tasting, touching, smelling, hearing, and seeing.
If one successfully brings senses and mind under control, one becomes devoid of attraction and revulsion. He can experience the material world without any problem, his mind becomes tranquil his intellect becomes steady, he has no more sorrow, he attains the state of happiness. If one continues to follow one’s svadharma and remains committed to a higher goal, equanimity emerges.
Verse & what we can learn
We achieve balance by bringing the senses and the mind under control.
What does Gita say about the mind? What is Krishna’s instruction on controlling the mind? How can I control my mind and senses? What does Bhagavad Gita say about emotions?
As sadhakas, we come across all these questions and Shri Krishna answers these questions and guides us on the path of progress. For controlling the senses Bhagavad gita gives us the way and the means, bhagavad gita on senses gives us an elaborate view and the solution as well to achieve mastery over them.
It is no doubt that achieving mastery over senses and mind leads to spiritual growth and daily meditation is the way to it. There are various types of meditation like Buddhist meditation, heartfulness meditation, mindfulness meditation, meditation for stress, and each meditation benefits are countless. There are 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 verse, Shri Krishna talks to Arjuna about divine grace.
Let’s learn to live with “The Gita” via Meditation Affinity…