Shrimad Bhagavad-gita

by Narayana Gosvami | 2013 | 327,105 words

The Bhagavad-gita Verse 6.36, English translation, including the Vaishnava commentaries Sarartha-varsini-tika, Prakashika-vritti and Rasika-ranjana (excerpts). This is verse 36 from the chapter 6 called “Dhyana-yoga (Yoga through the Path of Meditation)”

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration, Word-for-word and English translation of verse 6.36:

असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः ।
वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुम् उपायतः ॥ ३६ ॥

asaṃyatātmanā yogo duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ |
vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyo'vāptum upāyataḥ
|| 36 ||

asaṃyata-ātmanā–by one whose mind is uncontrolled; yogaḥ–connection with the Supreme Lord; duṣprāpaḥ–is difficult to achieve; iti–that; me–My; matiḥ–opinion; vaśya-ātmanā–by one whose mind is disciplined; tu–however; yatatā–and who strives; śakyaḥ–achievable; avāptum–to obtain; upāyataḥ–the (above-mentioned) means.

It is very difficult for one whose mind is not controlled to achieve self-realization through this yoga system. However, a person who has brought his mind under control and who strives by the proper means of constant practice and renunciation can attain perfection in yoga. This is My opinion.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Ṭīkā

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

Now Śrī Bhagavān is giving instruction on the subject of yoga. One who has not controlled his mind by constant practice (abhyāsa) and renunciation (vairāgya) does not become perfect in yoga. However, if one regulates his mind by practice and renunciation and constantly engages in sādhana over a prolonged period of time, he can attain yoga or samādhi, which is characterized by a controlled mind.

Commentary: Sārārtha-Varṣiṇī Prakāśikā-vṛtti

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

Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura quotes Kṛṣṇa as saying, “One who does not endeavour to control his mind by renunciation (vairāgya) and constant practice (abhyāsa) can never become perfect in the previously mentioned system of yoga. However, he who endeavours to control the mind by adopting the proper means can definitely attain perfection in yoga. When I say, ‘by the proper means’, I imply that he who tries to concentrate his mind by performing niṣkāma-karma-yoga and who practises meditating on Me, which is a limb of this yoga system, simultaneously accepting with detachment the sense objects required for his maintenance, gradually attains perfection in yoga.”

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