Atma Samyama Yoga

अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः। स सन्न्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः॥ 6:1॥

He who {honestly} performs the duties, remaining indifferent to the fruits of actions is {not only} a true Action Yogi but, {having renounced the attachment to worldly acts and their fruits} is {also, in essence,} a Renunciant Yogi. This is because no one can become a renunciate merely by renouncing worldly duties {without renouncing the attachment to those duties and their expected outcome} and by abandoning fire. (6:1)

यं सन्न्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव। न ह्यसन्न्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन॥ 6:2॥

And O, Arjuna, the Son of Pāndu! Understand that what is called sannyāsa or renunciation is, in essence, {Action-} Yoga, as no one can truly become a renunciate without shedding worldly attachments, {akin to what an Action Yogi accomplishes}. (6:2)

आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते। योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते॥ 6:3॥

For {an aspiring renunciant sage} beginning his journey on the Path of {Meditative} Yoga, {meditative} action and efforts are said to be the means; but when that sage has succeeded in Yoga, peace and serenity are said to be the means. (6:3)

यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते। सर्वसङ्कल्पसन्न्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते॥ 6:4॥

One is said to have firmly stabilized in the {Meditative} Yoga {experiencing the union of the soul with the Supreme Spirit God} when he is not drawn anymore to hedonistic pleasures and worldly acts and has forsaken all temporal resolves. (6:4)

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥ 6:5॥

A man should lift himself {from the abyss of earthly existence to the realm of the ethereal} and not push himself further down {into the abyss}; man is his best friend and worst enemy. (6:5)

बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः। अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्॥ 6:6॥

The man who has conquered himself—his mind and senses—is his best friend, but the one who has not subordinated one's {lower} self is like his own worst foe. (6:6)

जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः। शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु तथा मानापमानयोः॥ 6:7॥

The serene sage, having mastered the self, remains ever immersed in the Supreme Self, undisturbed by extremes of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, praise and insult. (6:7)

ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रियः। युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः॥ 6:8॥

The Yogi, enveloped in the bliss of Truth and firmly rooted in his true Self, is said to be in communion with God. By conquering his senses, he perceives clay, stone, and gold with equal regard. (6:8)

सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु। साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते ॥ 6:9॥

The sage who views friends and foes, neutrals and intermediaries, lovers and critics, saints and sinners with impartiality is truly exceptional in the eyes of the Divine. (6:9)

योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः। एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः॥ 6:10॥

Mastering his body and mind, divesting himself of all dispensable belongings, harboring no expectations, the {Meditative} Yogi should retreat to a solitary place and unceasingly strive to access the Real Self within. (6:10)

शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः। नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम्॥ 6:11॥

In a pure and sacred environment, a Meditative Yogi should establish a stable seat, neither too elevated nor too low. Layering it with kusha grass, deerskin, and a cloth, one atop the other, he should take his place upon this seat. Here, by restraining the restlessness of the mind and senses and channeling their focus, he should engage in the practice of Yoga for inner purification (6:11, 12).

तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः। उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये॥ 6:12॥

06:11:00

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः। सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्॥ 6:13॥

Firmly holding the body (spine), neck, and head erect and still, the Yogi should focus his eyes at the starting point of the nose (between the two eyebrows) without gazing around in different directions. (6:13)

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः। मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः॥ 6:14॥

With a profoundly serene mind and devoid of any lingering fears, steadfast in the commitment to celibacy, having harnessed the mind's faculties, and with unwavering consciousness focused on Me, one should assume a meditative posture, dedicating their entire being to Me. (6:14)

युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः। शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति॥ 6:15॥

In this way, the Yogi, who incessantly directs his Self toward the Supreme Self with a well-tuned and unwavering mind, is able to access the most profound peace of Nirvāna that resides in Me. (6:15)

नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः। न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन॥ 6:16॥

Arjuna, this state of Yoga remains beyond the reach of those who practice extreme abstinence from food or indulge excessively, who completely forgo sleep or oversleep. (6:16)

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु। युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा॥ 6:17॥

This state of Yoga, which extinguishes all suffering, can only be achieved by individuals who maintain disciplined routines in their dietary habits, physical exercise, sleep, and put forth sincere efforts in their work. (6:17)

यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते। निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा॥ 6:18॥

The one who, liberated from all material desires, has mastered oneself and tunes the heart and mind to remain steadfastly connected to the inner Self—the soul—is considered firmly established in Yoga. (6:18)

यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता। योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युंजतो योगमात्मनः॥ 6:19॥

A steadfast Yogi's unwavering mind in meditation resembles the steady flame of a lamp in a tranquil place untouched by the winds, sheltered from all disturbances. (6:19)

यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया। यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति॥ 6:20॥

With the mind's wanderings completely curbed {through the practice of Meditative Yoga}, one perceives the Self through the self, rejoicing in the Self (6:20).

सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद्बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम्। वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः॥ 6:21॥

In this state, supreme bliss unfolds beyond the grasp of the senses, accessible solely through intuitive wisdom. Once established, the meditative Yogi remains unshaken in divine realization. (6:21)

यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः। यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते॥ 6:22॥

In this state, one recognizes there's no greater attainment and remains impervious to the deepest sorrows. (6:22)

तं विद्याद्दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसञ्ज्ञितम्। स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा॥ 6:23॥

This state, untouched by sorrow and suffering, is known as Yoga. One should seek to understand and practice this Yoga without succumbing to boredom and impatience. (6:23)

सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः। मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः॥ 6:24॥

{To reach this state} Forsaking without exception all desires born of {misdirected} will, restraining with the mind all the senses on every side; (6:24)

शनैः शनैरुपरमेद्बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया। आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किंचिदपि चिन्तयेत्॥ 6:25॥

Slowly and gradually, one must withdraw from the external world with the aid of intelligence. With great patience, one must keep the mind focused on the inner Self without thinking of anything else. (6:25)

यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चंचलमस्थिरम्। ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत्॥ 6:26॥

The restless mind, prone to leaping from one thought to another, must be calmed and redirected from those objects, firmly placed under the exclusive dominion of the inner Self. (6:26)

प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम्। उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम्॥ 6:27॥

The Yogi whose mind has become perfectly still, whose RajoGuna (the outgoing action-activating element of Nature) has subsided, and who has lost all impurities of mind—such Yogi, who has become one with Supreme Divine, experiences the highest bliss. (6:27)

युंजन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी विगतकल्मषः। सुखेन ब्रह्मसंस्पर्शमत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते॥ 6:28॥

The sin-free Yogi, who joyfully keeps his Self immersed in divine consciousness, attains the highest state of happiness, establishing a close connection with the Supreme Spirit. (6:28)

सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि। ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः॥ 6:29॥

{As this close communion with the Supreme Spirit deepens} The one who is dedicated to Yoga and views all beings equally starts experiencing his Self in all beings and all beings in his Self. (6:29)

यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति। तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति॥ 6:30॥

{Thus, having discovered the Oneness of his soul and the souls of all others with the Supreme Soul, God} One starts perceiving Me in everything and everything in Me. Such a Yogi never loses sight of Me, and I never let him slip out of my heart. (6:30)

सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः। सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते॥ 6:31॥

The Yogi who has realized such Oneness and, therefore, worships Me in all living beings where I am present as their soul, resides in Me, regardless of his physical abode. (6:31)

आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन। सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं स योगी परमो मतः॥ 6:32॥

{Having recognized that all embodied souls are fundamentally one} The Yogi regards each individual's joy and suffering as if it were his own. Such a one embodies the perfect Yogi. (6:32)

योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्तः साम्येन मधुसूदन। एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चंचलत्वास्थितिं स्थिराम्॥ 6:33॥

O, Madhusudana! This system of Yoga of even-mindedness that you spoke of does not seem to me, due to my mind being unsteady, to be an enduring one. (6:33)

चंचलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम्। तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम्॥ 6:34॥

The mind is inherently capricious, restless, agitated, powerful, and unyielding, O, Krishna. I believe that taming the mind is as challenging as controlling the wind. (6:34)

असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम्। अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते॥ 6:35॥

O, Mighty-armed! The mind is indeed volatile and hard to control. But one can conquer it through practice {of Yoga} and by snapping the thread of attachment {to the external world}. (6:35)

असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः। वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः॥ 6:36॥

It is hard to succeed in Yoga for a man who lacks self-control, but, in my judgment, it is attainable through self-mastery by a man who makes requisite efforts and adheres to the correct technique. (6:36)

अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः। अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति॥ 6:37॥

O, Krishna! What becomes of a Yogi who earnestly embarks on the path of Yoga but finds his mind straying midway, thus failing to attain the desired Self-realization? (6:37)

कच्चिन्नोभयविभ्रष्टश्छिन्नाभ्रमिव नश्यति। अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि॥ 6:38॥

O, Mighty-armed Krishna! Doesn't this deluded Yogi, drawn away from the path of God-realization and thus having become without a shelter, face ruination like a dissipated cloud, losing both the worlds {spiritual and temporal}? (6:38)

एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः। त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते॥ 6:39॥

O, Krishna! Only you can completely clear my doubts. There is none other than you who could drive away my skepticism. (6:39)

पार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते। न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्चिद्दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति॥ 6:40॥

O, Son of Prithā! That fallen Yogi faces ruination neither in this world nor in the other world because no one on the path of enlightenment ever attracts woes. (6:40)

प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः। शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते॥ 6:41॥

Entering and inhabiting for a long time the ethereal planets (like heaven) meant for the virtuous souls, the deviant Yogi is reborn in a pious and prosperous home. (6:41)

अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम्। एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम्॥ 6:42॥

Else, {instead of going to such ethereal planets,} one is born into the families of spiritually enlightened Yogis. Such birth, however, is rare. (6:42)

तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं लभते पौर्वदेहिकम्। यतते च ततो भूयः संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन॥ 6:43॥

{In this new life} The Yogi regains the spiritual progress achieved in the previous existence. O, Kurunandana (Arjuna), driven by past impressions, the Yogi resumes his journey toward complete Self-and-God-realization. (6:43)

पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः। जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते॥ 6:44॥

He is propelled on his onward path by his previous spiritual practice, as if involuntarily, and such seeker of union with God transcends the Holy Vedas. (6:44)

प्रयत्नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संशुद्धकिल्बिषः। अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम्॥ 6:45॥

Through his diligent efforts and practice, the Yogi, perfected by the efforts of many past lives and purged of sin, finally attains Nirvāna. (6:45)

तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः। कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन॥ 6:46॥

The Yogi surpasses those who engage in rigorous austerities, those with profound {scriptural} knowledge, and even those committed to {ritualistic Vedic} karmas (actions). Therefore, O, Arjuna, aspire to become a Yogi. (6:46)

योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना। श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः॥ 6:47॥

The one whose inner Self is immersed in God-consciousness and who regards Me with shraddhā (love, faith, and reverence) is, in my view, the best among all the Yogis. (6:47)