Verse 2.64

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 2.64:

राग-द्वेष-विमुक्तैस् तु विषयान् इन्द्रियैश् चरन् ।
आत्म-वश्यैर् विधेयात्मा प्रसादम् अधिगच्छति ॥ ६४ ॥

rāga-dveṣa-vimuktais tu viṣayān indriyaiś caran |
ātma-vaśyair vidheyātmā prasādam adhigacchati || 64 ||

rāga–attachment; dveṣa–and aversion; vimuktaiḥ–free; tu–however; viṣayān–sense objects; indriyaiḥ–by the senses; caran–even while enjoying;ātma-vaśyaiḥ–which are under his control; vidheya-ātmā–a man of controlled senses; prasādam–joyfulness; adhigacchati–attains.

A man of controlled senses, however, who is free from attachment and aversion, attains the stage of joyfulness even while enjoying suitable objects through his senses.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Ṭīkā

(By Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura; the innermost intention of the commentary named ‘the shower of essential meanings’)

Previously, Arjuna asked, “How does one who is sthita-prajña behave?” In response to this question, Śrī Bhagavān speaks this verse beginning with rāga. Since the mind cannot directly accept sense objects, there is no fault in accepting sense objects with controlled senses. Vidheyātmā means ‘one whose mind is fixed in the instructions of Bhagavān only’. Prasādam adhigacchati implies that there is no fault if such qualified persons accept sense objects. In fact, it is specifically to their credit, because they see everything as related to Bhagavān. One who is sthita-prajña may or may not give up sense objects, and he may or may not be motivated to attain them. In any case, everything is auspicious for him.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti

(By Śrīla Bhaktivedānta Nārāyaṇa Gosvāmī Mahārāja; the explanation that illuminates the commentary named Sārārtha-varṣiṇī)

Even when the external senses are controlled by keeping them aloof from the sense objects, the mind does not stop thinking of them. Such renunciation is called phalgu (useless) or markaṭa-vairāgya (monkey-like renunciation). This is stated in the Gītā (3.6), karmendriyāṇi saṃyamya. When a sādhaka practises appropriate renunciation by engaging everything in the service of the Lord and worships Śrī Bhagavān, he can control his mind and absorb it in thinking of his worshipable deity. When he has reached such a stage, there is no fault in his accepting those sense objects that are favourable to his practice and rejecting those that are unfavourable.