Chapter-6
DHYANA YOGA
Connection between Chapter 5 and Chapter 6 :
- Krishna, by discussing astanga-yoga, establishes it as an impractical path; and therefore one should reject it in favor of bhakti-yoga
- Astanga-yoga was mentioned in Text 5.27, to set a scene for Chapter 6
- Before practicing advanced stages of astanga-yoga (as described in Texts 5.27 – 5.28), one must become:
- Purified by ‘Niskama-karma-yoga’
- One must be in full control of mind
- One must be completely indifferent to and unaffected by all material things
BREAKDOWN OF CHAPTER-6
- (6.1 – 6.4) — ADVANCING IN YOGA THROUGH DETACHED WORK
- Astanga yogis, like niskama-karma-yogis, engage in detached work to advance
- (6.5 – 6.9) — THE YOGARUDHA STAGE – GIVING UP WORK
- A yogi may even give up niskarma karma yoga when his mental control reaches the stage of regarding well-wishers, the envious, the pious and sinners equally.
- Krishna describes the practices of astanga-yoga
- The result are ‘Yogarudha (the perfectional stage)’ and ultimately ‘the vision of the Supersoul’.
- (6.33 – 6.36) — NECESSITY OF CONTROLLING THE TURBULENT MIND
- Although control of mind is undoubtedly a difficult process, nevertheless…
- Control of mind is essential and obtainable only by constant practice and detachment.
- (6.37 – 6.45) —THE DESTINATION OF THE UNSUCCESSFUL YOGI
- Unsuccessful transcendentalists obtain either heavenly enjoyment followed by an aristocratic birth(if they are slightly advanced) or birth in a family of wise transcendentalists that bring them immediate further training (if they are more advanced)
- (6.46 - 6.47) — THE TOPMOST YOGI
- Yogis are greater than empiricists, fruitive workers and ascetics.
- Of all yogis, those who with full faith always think of Krishna and render transcendental loving service to Him, are the highest of all.
Summary of Chapter-6
ADVANCING IN YOGA THROUGH DETACHED WORK
(6.1 – 6.4)
From Niskama-karma-yoga to stage of meditation
Text (6.1)
One should not prematurely renounce his duties, because actually, it is by giving up the desire for fruits of one’s action and by working as obligated, one becomes a “true sannyasi” or a “true yogi”
Criteria of ‘perfect sannyasi’ and ‘perfect yogi’
- To work unattached to fruits of one’s work
- To work as he is obligated
- Not he who lights no fire and performs no duty
Text (6.2)
Detached action is same as renunciation because both require freedom from desire of sense gratification.
Text (6.3)
Two levels of yoga practice – In the beginning stages, one should continue to perform his activities, giving up the desire to enjoy the fruit
1. Yogaruruksa stage – “Beginning Stage” in which prescribed duties are essential to gradually purify one of fruitive desires
- Work, cultivating detachment
- Also practicing asanas, etc.
2. Yogarudha stage – “Advanced Stage”; after achieving freedom from desires that impel fruitive work, one retires from active duties for contemplation and meditation
- When pratyahara is perfect
- Stop Working (‘Dhyana’ stage)
Text (6.4)
This verse explains the Yoga-rudha stage – In later stages, when the practitioner is completely purified, he can also give up the work itself
- This is the stage when one:
- Renounces all material desires, and
- Neither acts for sense gratification, nor engages in fruitive acts
THE YOGARUDHA STAGE – GIVING UP WORK
(6.5 – 6.9)
Text (6.5 – 6.6)
Role of mind as friend/enemy in yoga
- Controlled mind as a friend:
Follows dictation of Supersoul
Detached from sense gratification
Result – Elevates us - Uncontrolled mind as an enemy:
Follows dictation of lust, anger, illusion, etc.
Attached to sense gratification
Result – degrades and entangles
Text (6.7 – 6.9)
Complete indifference to material existence by realized knowledge of Supersoul.
SUMMARISED THEME
SYMPTOMS OF YOGARUDHA STAGE (6.7 – 6.9)
- If the mind is made a friend as per Text 6.6, the following symptoms develop, as the realizations deepen and grow, in the following sequence:
- Completely neutral to all material existence and dualities (6.7)
- Sees all object equally – Pebbles, gold, stone (6.8)
- Fully satisfied by jnana and vijnana (6.8)
- Sees all people equally – “most advanced stage” (6.9)
FURTHER STAGES IN THE PRACTICE OF YOGA
(6.10 – 6.32)
SUBSECTION A: 6.10 – 6.17: Basic practices of meditation (Meditation is the advanced stage of astanga-yoga)
SUBSECTION B: 6.18 – 6.32: Perfection in meditation
Text (6.10)
One must be free of “possesiveness” and “material desires” to practice astanga yoga, in a secluded place where he can control mind by fixing on Supersoul
- It is the beginning of explanation for “How to practice in yogarudha stage”
Text (6.11 – 6.14)
One must sit down on a proper seat and fix the mind on one point (Study translations for the basic practices of astanga-yoga)
- Texts 6.11 – 6.12 describes the ‘manner of sitting’
- Texts 6.13 – 6.14 describes ‘how to meditate’
Text (6.15)
Thus Krishna describes the goal of astanga-yoga as attainment of the Kingdom of God by “cessation of material existence”.
Text (6.16 – 6.17)
Regulated lifestyle – A yogi must keep careful balance in eating, sleeping, recreation and work.
SUMMARIZED THEME COMPARING ASTANGA YOGA & KRISHNA CONCIOUSNESS IN TERMS OF PRACTICE (6.10 – 6.17) This table shows that all precautions and perfections for transcendentalists are perfectly executed when one is directly in Krishna consciousness. | ||
| Criteria | Astanga-Yoga | Krishna Consciousness |
| 1. Principle (6.10) | Constantly engage body, mind and self in relationship with Supreme | Constantly engage body, mind and self in relationship with Supreme |
| 2. Relationship with Supreme (6.10) | Impersonalists and yogis are partially, imperfectly and indirectly Krishna consciousness | Devotee is fully Krishna consciousness – perfect and direct relationship with Supreme |
| 3. Place of practice (6.10) | Live alone and secluded place Purpose: To avoid disturbance by external objects | Devotee – Stays in good association /Avoid unwanted association – Thus always aloof from material things |
| 4. Mind Control – First business of any transcendentalist (6.10) | Struggles hard to fix mind on Supersoul | Devotee always thinks of Krishna and never forgets Him (Concentration of mind on the Supreme is called Samadi) |
| 5.Consciousness Free of desire and possessiveness (6.10) | A prerequisite to practice yogarudha stage. In perfect determination, one should not hanker after unnecessary material things that entangle him by “feelings of material possessiveness” | Direct Krishna conciosness means “Self-abnegation” right in the beginning stages wherein there is very little chance for material possessiveness. Rupa Goswami’s “Yukta-Vairagya” principle (Study 6.10 purport) |
| 6. Manner of sitting (6.11-12) |
| No such specifications |
| 7.Celibacy (6.13-14) | Must for jnana and dhyana schools | Only school which allows Grhasta Brahmachari concept |
| 8. Fearlessness (6.13-14) | – | Full Krishna consciousness is the only basis of “fearlessness” |
| 9. Object of meditation (6.13-14) | To see “Vishnu-murti” (object of yoga practice) in the heart, an expansion of Krishna only | Devotee always sees Krishna everywhere |
| 10. Goal of life (6.13-14) | Krishna in the heart of every living entity (indicated by ‘mac-chitah’ and ‘mat-parah’ in Text 14) | Krishna |
| 11. Result – Ultimate goal of yoga practice (6.15) |
| Devotee is a perfect yogi because always absorbed in Krishna’s service and has perfect understanding of Krishna Ref. Ambarish Maharaja |
| 12. Regulation in lifestyle (6.16-17) | Extravagance in the 4 demands of the body – eating, sleeping, mating, defending – is a block in advancement of any yoga | |
| Quantity: Yogis should eat only what is required to keep body and soul together, anything more is “too much eating” Quality: | Quantity for a devotee: Eats only limited Fast only according to scriptural injunctions No artificial concocted fasting. Quality: |
| If more than 6 hours 1. Lazy 2. Dreaming | Following Avyartha-Kalatvam Eg: Rupa Goswami and Srila Haridasa Thakura (study purports) |
| – | Works only for Krishna; no desire for sense gratification, therefore no material leisure |
| Benefit of Regulation for a Krishna conscious person – Regulation in all above bodily activities brings to a state of no material misery | ||
Text (6.18)
A yogi becomes perfect when his consciousness remains perfectly fixed in the self.
Criteria for perfection of yoga:
- All mental activities disciplined
- Situated in transcendence
- Free of all material desires.
Text (6.19)
Krishna gives an Analogy to explain Text 6.18 i.e. perfection of yoga practice
- Just like a lamp in windless place – does not waver; similarly steady mind in samadhi does not waver.
- This ‘Perfection of yoga’ exhibited in Krishna consciousness – Truly Krishna conscious person practices constant undisturbed meditation on Supreme Lord.
SUMMARISED THEME
REALIZATIONS/VISIONS/ACTIONS OF A YOGI IN PERFECTION (STAGE OF SAMADHI)
- Realizations in stage of samadhi (6.20 – 6.23) – Status of actual freedom from all miseries arising from material contact
- Happiness – One experiences boundless transcendental happiness by direct experience of Soul and Supersoul within the heart.
- Fixed up – One’s focus never departs from truth
- Highest gain – One thinks no greater gain is possible
- Unshaken – One remains unshaken even amidst greatest difficulties
- Freedom – Free from all miseries arising from material contact
- Vision of a perfect yogi (6.29 – 6.30)
- Sees Supersoul in everyone’s heart and everyone being supported by Supersoul (6.29)
- Never loses sight of Supreme Lord and thus never falls from the path of Yoga (6.30)
- Actions of a perfect yogi (6.31 – 6.32)
- Realizes Krishna as origin of Supersoul – worships and serves Him in all circumstances (6.31)
- Sees equality of all beings – tries to help everyone (no enemy/friend distinction) by turning their consciousness to Krishna (6.32)
Text (6.20 – 6.23)
Realizations of a yogi in perfection
- He thereby relishes boundless transcendental happiness by directly experiencing soul and Supersoul within the heart
- Thinking that there is no greater joy than this his focus never departs from within, even amidst greatest difficulties
- Thus he escapes all miseries
Text (6.24 – 6.25)
Methods to attain yogarudha stage (Perfectional stage as described in Texts 6.18 – 6.23)
1. Patience (6.24)
2. Determination – Examples: Sparrow and Garuda (6.24)
3. Without deviation (6.24)
4. Faith – Be confident and pursue the path with great perseverance (6.24)
5. Control senses by mind (6.24)
6. Give up all material desires born of mental concoction (6.24)
7. Intelligence sustained by full conviction (6.25)
8. Mind fixed in oneself / not thinking anything else. (6.25)
9. Step by step one achieves success (6.25)
Text (6.26)
Means of Success
- Nature of mind – The mind is ‘flickering’ and ‘unsteady’
- Mind will fly away in beginning, but should not give up hope
- Bring mind back under the control of the self
Text (6.27 – 6.28)
Brahma-bhuta platform – Gradually one will experience: (6.27)
- Transcendental happiness
- Freedom from the modes of material nature and sinful reactions
- Realizes the self (qualitative oneness with the Supreme)
Brahma-samsparsha platform – One achieves full perfection and bliss by being in constant touch with the Supreme, and thus one engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. (6.28)
Text (6.29 – 6.30) focuses on “The vision of a perfect yogi”
A realized yogi sees the Supersoul in everyone’s heart and sees everyone being supported by the Supersoul. (6.29)
He thus never loses the sight of the Supreme Lord, and never falls from the path of yoga (6.30)
- For one who sees Me everywhere and seeing everything in Me, for him…
- I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me
Text (6.31 – 6.32) focuses on “Actions of a perfect yogi”
Realizing Krishna to be the origin of Supersoul, the perfect yogi worships and serves Him and thus always remains in Him in all circumstances (6.31)
Having experienced that in external consciousness there is no happiness and Krishna consciousness only gives true happiness, the yogi tries to help everyone, without distinction between friend and enemy, to become happy by turning their consciousness to Krishna. 6.32)
NECESSITY OF CONTROLLING THE MIND
(6.33 – 6.36)
Text (6.33)
Arjuna’s inquiry – this yoga is impractical and unendurable
- Because the mind is restless and unsteady
Text (6.34)
Nature of mind
- Restless and turbulent – like wind (Analogy)
- Strong and obstinate
Text (6.35 – 6.36)
Solution to mind-control – Krishna agrees that mind control is very difficult, but suggests the possibility of control by suitable practice and detachment. (6.35)
Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work. (6.36)
THE DESTINATION OF THE UNSUCCESFUL YOGI
(6.37 – 6.45)
Text (6.37 – 6.39)
Arjuna inquires about the fate of one fallen from the path of self realization. Is he a failure, both materially and spiritually?
- One may begin the process with faith, but later desist due to worldly mindedness (6.37)
- Analogy: Does such a man perish like a riven cloud with no position in any sphere? (6.38)
- Arjuna expresses that only Krishna can dispel this doubt completely (6.39)
Text (6.40)
Lord answers – A transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities meets no destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world.
Text (6.41 – 6.42)
Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after short practice: (6.41)
- Enjoys on heavenly planets for many many years
- Then again he is sent to this planet and takes birth in a rich (aristocratic merchants) or pious (righteous Brahman vaishnavas) family – to use the facilities to elevate to Krishna Consciousness.
Fate of unsuccessful yogi who falls after long practice: (6.42)
- Birth in the family of transcendentalists who are surely great in wisdom (6.42)
Text (6.43 – 6.44)
After getting opportunities in the appropriate families, they begin their yoga practice from wherever they left off
- One revives the divine consciousness of their previous lives
- Automatically they are attracted to yogic principles – Even without seeking them
- They always stand above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures
- Thus they try to make further progress to achieve complete success
Text (6.45)
Such a yogi ultimately achieves perfection and the Supreme goal after many many births of practice
- By making sincere endeavor
- After being washed of all contaminations
THE TOPMOST YOGI
(6.46 – 6.47)
Text (6.46)
Yogi is better than all others who endeavor perfection (Ascetic, empiricist, fruitive worker).
Text (6.47)
Even better than yogi is a devotee who worships Krishna. Topmost yogi is Bhakti-yogi – because…
- He has great faith in Krishna
- Takes shelter in Him (“Always abides in Me”)
- Always thinks of Him (“Always thinks of Me within Himself”)
- Renders loving service (“unto Me”)
SUMMARIZED THEME COMPARISON OF DIFFERENT YOGA SYSTEMS | ||
| SNo. | Karma, Jnana, Astanga Yoga etc | Bhakti-yoga |
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