Verse-57
Chapter 18 — Moksha Sanyasa Yoga
Verse 57
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
chetasā sarvakarmāṇi mayi sannyasya matparaḥ
buddhiyogamupāśritya maccittaḥ satatam bhava
🕉 English Translation
Mujhe saunp de tu karma apne sab,
Mere parayan hee ho ja tu ab.
Buddhi se samta ka le asara,
Nirantar tu mann apna mujh mein lagaa.
📜 Translation
English
Devoting all your actions mentally to Me, and dedicating yourself to Me, resorting to the yoga of equanimity which views all equally, ever fixing thoughts in Me.
If one has to reach the roof then one has to take the help of the ladder and keep every step firmly on every rung. In its absence, it is impossible to ascend to the height. In a similar manner if one has to reach the Supreme state or the state of Brahmic consciousness, at the practical level one has to be alert and careful in every action. For the state which is aimed at even at the practical behavioural level it is essential to maintain this spirit. One is aiming for the supreme status, but is still engrossed in the worldly uncertainities! One aims to attain Brahmn but in the thoughts 'Iness' and 'Myness' are holding sway. Think how it will be possible to make this attainment! Practical awareness is necessary for which this verse is meant.
While in the world do not let it be the centre of existence. It is not bad to live in the world. One has taken birth in the world; so long as the life lasts one remains in the world only. The issue to be taken care of is–one should live in the world but one should not belong to the world. One should belong to the One who can become ours, who can give us company in every situation and circumstance–He is the Supreme only. One should dedicate oneself to Him or take refuge in Him only. Even if we seek to depend on the world what will we gain out of it? Mental peace cannot be attained in the world nor can it give us company or last forever. All the objects, relations of the world and the world too, are for this world, from this world and till we are in this world. That is why though one may remain in this world one should take care that the world should not be inside us. There should prevail just emotions for the Lord! While transacting in the world there should be no ego, but the intellect abiding the spirit of surrender. I am not the doer. It is very essential to accept this truth as soon as possible. Be totally careful from the attitude of Me and myness. The knot of bondage starts from here.
This is the distinguishing feature of the inspirations from the Gita–the refuge of the Yoga of the Intellect! The Yoga of Intellect has been the priority of the preacher of the Gita while delivering the sermon of the Gita. He is the charioteer of Arjun at this point of time. In the language of the Upanishad, the intellect is the charioteer of the chariot of life–'buddhi tu sarathi viddhi' (Kathopanishad) so that the alertness, awareness of the intellect may not remain confined to decisions regarding the objects of enjoyment. His awareness creating address is essential and is also pleasing.
When the intellect is in the spirit of 'Yoga' and takes decisions in accordance with it, then definitely the mind will naturally dwell in the Supreme. Equanimity will be maintained in the eventuality of success and failure and favourability and unfavourability. The one-sided approach of the intellect increases the disbalance. With discord, agitation is a natural corollary. Mental stability cannot be maintained. The principal cause for the mind not being devoted to the Supreme is this mental instability. It is necessary that the Lord should be made to sit on the seat of the charioteer of the chariot of life. This is what is taking shelter in the Yoga of Intellect, as further the mind is only the rein (manah pragrah hamev cha); the mind in the form of rein will on its own reach the strong and safe hands. All agitations will cease; there will be no question of worry or tension; there would be no state of doubt or dilemma.