Verse-36
Chapter 6 — Atma Sanyam Yoga
Verse 36
🕉 Original Sanskrit Shloka
asamyatatmana yogo duşprapa iti me matin
vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyo'vāptumupāyataḥ
🕉 English Translation
Vash mein kiyaa jisne mann ko nahin,
Kathin yoga ka panaa hai uska hee.
Yatna karke jo isko vash mein kare,
Paa leta veh yoga matt mein mere.
📜 Translation
English
One whose mind is not controlled, for him this yoga is difficult to attain. But by self-controlled striving, this attainment through properly directed efforts is possible; such is My view.
In the attainment of yoga the main factor is the control of the mind; the mind should not be undisciplined. The sight of any desirable sensual object should not awaken any greed for it. When such a discipline is perfected then the instability of the mind will be eliminated on its own. That the mind should not run after worldly things; that the attraction of the mind should not be towards sensual objects. This vigilance should be maintained. If the mind remains outgoing then who will and how will yoga be attained?
The Blessed Lord is stating his opinion clearly:
A thought-provoking hint-that there is no universal definition of the terms-difficult and easy; this should be kept in mind. Towards that to which one is interested and directs one's effort, that despite it being difficult will become easy. But where one is disinterested and does not want to make effort that work despite being simple will become difficult. In the words of an English poet:
What if your lesson is hard, You should not yield to sorrow. For he who works hard today, His task light seems tomorrow.
So what if a task appears to be difficult today? Do not allow yourself to yield to disappointment. Do not lose hope. Because the one who is trying hard firmly today, the task which appears to be difficult for him today will become easy tomorrow.
'Yatah' The Blessed Lord says that those who strive can attain yoga easily. Develop the spirit, create interest! Determine that my goal is not indulgence but yoga. I have been born to attain yoga and I have to direct effort towards it. I must do it and that too in this birth only. Keep your goal firm. Goal should be high, intention should be true, firm faith-success is sure; there is no room for doubt.
Arjun developed a dilemma in his mind in this regard. Towards one's mental state and attainment of yoga; he found some divergence, some doubt! He then put forward his mental thoughts in front of the Lord.