Verse-42
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 42
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
śamo damastapaḥ śaucam kṣāntirārjavameva ch
jñānam vijñānamāstikyam brahmakarma svabhāvajam
🕉 English Translation
Vash mein ho taan mann shama bhav ho,
Mann shudh, tap,saraal bhav ho.
Ho gyan- vigyan shraddha bhi jab,
Brahmin ke swabhavic yeh karma sab.
📜 Translation
English
To control the mind, to restrain the senses, to bear difficulties for the protection of righteousness, maintain purity outwardly and inwardly, to forgive the wrongs of others, to maintain straightforwardness of the mind, senses, etc., to have knowledge of the Vedas, the scriptures and God, an attitude of reverence with faith, to experience the essence of Divinity–all of them are the natural deeds of a Brahmin.
Observe the depth of this verse. What are the functions which are natural for the Brahmins? What kinds of functions have to be performed by the Brahmins? One is not a Brahmin just by caste but according to the nobility of the actions he performs. The fragrance of being a Brahmin should be emitted from conduct! It is good to organize the rituals, etc but one should also observe the conduct of one's life, and this verse should act like a mirror. One should see one's life in it. Each and every expression is so significant. The profundity of the spirit of the philosophy of the thoughts of the Gita can be clearly experienced. The Brahmins are superior, but when and why? A glimpse of that can also be caught in this verse.
There should be no subjugation to the mind; the mind should be under one's control. There should be protection from useless worries, desires and cravings, the uncertainties of disposition and a serene mind. The senses should not be enamoured of the external material objects. Such conduct should follow from the senses that they become a means for the upward progress and elevation in life in the form attainment of the Absolute and not a means for fall. Whatever adversities or difficulties and sufferings are faced, the eagerness for moving on the path of righteousness should be maintained; there should be no slackness in effort for the same. The nature of facing the difficulties smilingly, which are encountered on the path of truthfulness, goodness and kindness should be there. One should remain pure outwardly and inwardly. One should keep eating and drinking habits, the way of living life, conduct, body, etc also remain alert towards the purity of the inner-self. One should make such an effort that inside there is no accumulation of the impurities of tendencies and deformities.
If someone is not favourably disposed towards us and is criticizing or insulting us, if the attitude of someone is not that of respecting us, even then there should be no inclination to penalize him or to get him penalized; The nature should be of forgiving happily. There should be no trace in the conduct or nature whatsoever of complications, harshness, haughtiness, stubbornness. The nature and attitude should be simple and straight. There should be a feeling of reverence with faith towards one's culture and cultural traditions, towards the Lord, the world beyond, holy scriptures, not just the emotion of faith–even their knowledge and not just knowledge but the experience of the Truth principle. There should also be dedication to give practical effect to the knowledge described in the scriptures–in the form of practical inspiration from the Gita; all of these are the natural functions of a Brahmin.