NECESSITY OF CONTROLLING THE MIND (6.33 – 6.36)

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.35 & 6.36: Krishna continues instructing Arjuna on the importance of mind control in the next verse.

Text 6.36

THEME : Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work.

Learnings from Purport (6.36)

(a) Analogy: Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite fire while pouring water on it

(b) Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time

Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative but it is useless as far as spiritual realisation is concerned

(c) Krishna consciousness offers a practical solution

Only way to steadily control the mind is by engaging in the transcendental loving service of the Lord

(d) Krishna consciousness compared to a yoga practitioner

A Krishna conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga-practice without separate endeavor
But a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Krishna conscious

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.36 & 6.37: After understanding the formidability of the obstacles to progress in yoga and after hearing of the processes to remove them, Arjuna speaks the next verse.

(a) ‘Practice’ recommended for modern age – nine types of devotional service

First and foremost practice is hearing (sravanam)
Hearing is a powerful method for purging the mind of all misgivings
o Effect of hearing – The more one hears, the more one becomes enlightened and detached from everything that draws the mind away from Krishna

(b) ‘Detachment’ – It implies detachment from matter and engagement of the mind in spirit

By detaching the mind from activities not devoted to the Lord and getting attached to devotional activities, one can very easily learn vairagya
Impersonal spiritual detachment is more difficult than attaching the mind to the activities of Krishna

(c) ‘Paresanubhava’ – Spiritual satisfaction achieved by positive attachment of service

It is practical because by hearing about Krishna one becomes automatically attached to the Supreme spirit
Analogy: Hungry man satisfied with food feels satisfaction and nourished
Anology: Devotional service compared to curing a disease by the process called Krishna consciousness
o Expert treatment for the mad mind – Hearing of the transcendental activities of Lord Krishna
o Diet – Eating foodstuffs offered to Krishna

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.35 & 6.36: Krishna continues instructing Arjuna on the importance of mind control in the next verse.

Text 6.36

THEME : Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work.

Learnings from Purport (6.36)

(a) Analogy: Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite fire while pouring water on it

(b) Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time

Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative but it is useless as far as spiritual realisation is concerned

(c) Krishna consciousness offers a practical solution

Only way to steadily control the mind is by engaging in the transcendental loving service of the Lord

(d) Krishna consciousness compared to a yoga practitioner

A Krishna conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga-practice without separate endeavor
But a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Krishna conscious

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.36 & 6.37: After understanding the formidability of the obstacles to progress in yoga and after hearing of the processes to remove them, Arjuna speaks the next verse.

(a) Mind is restless and turbulent like the wind –

For a man in the practical world who has to fight so many opposing elements, it is very difficult to control the mind
Artificially one may establish a mental equilibrium towards friends and enemies, but ultimately no worldly man can do so, for this is more difficult than controlling the raging wind

(b) Mind as strong and obstinate – Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind but the mind often overcomes one’s own intelligence

Analogy: Just like an acute infection may surpass the efficacy of medicine, a strong mind may overcome one’s own intelligence

(c) Analogy: Mind as driving instrument of a chariot (Ref. Katha Upanisad 1.3.3–1.3.4)

Individual soul – Passenger of the chariot
Body – Chariot
Intelligence – Driver
Mind – Driving instrument
Senses – Horses

(d) Easiest way to control the mind – Chant Hare Krishna in all humility

As suggested by Lord Caitanya
Ref. SB 9.4.18-20 “sa vai manah…” Ambarisha Maharaja fixed his mind on Krishna

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.34 & 6.35 : Texts 6.33 and 6.34 are Arjuna’s response to Krishna’s question:
“Why don’t you just control your mind with your intelligence?” The next verse answers the following question: “If controlling the mind is possible, by what means can I do it?”

Text 6.35

THEME : Solution to mind-control – Krishna agrees that mind control is very difficult, but suggests the possibility of control by suitable practice and detachment

Learnings from Purport 6.35

(a) ‘Practice’ recommended for modern age – nine types of devotional service

First and foremost practice is hearing (sravanam)
Hearing is a powerful method for purging the mind of all misgivings
o Effect of hearing – The more one hears, the more one becomes enlightened and detached from everything that draws the mind away from Krishna

(b) ‘Detachment’ – It implies detachment from matter and engagement of the mind in spirit

By detaching the mind from activities not devoted to the Lord and getting attached to devotional activities, one can very easily learn vairagya
Impersonal spiritual detachment is more difficult than attaching the mind to the activities of Krishna

(c) ‘Paresanubhava’ – Spiritual satisfaction achieved by positive attachment of service

It is practical because by hearing about Krishna one becomes automatically attached to the Supreme spirit
Analogy: Hungry man satisfied with food feels satisfaction and nourished
Anology: Devotional service compared to curing a disease by the process called Krishna consciousness
o Expert treatment for the mad mind – Hearing of the transcendental activities of Lord Krishna
o Diet – Eating foodstuffs offered to Krishna

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.35 & 6.36: Krishna continues instructing Arjuna on the importance of mind control in the next verse.

Text 6.36

THEME : Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work.

Learnings from Purport (6.36)

(a) Analogy: Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite fire while pouring water on it

(b) Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time

Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative but it is useless as far as spiritual realisation is concerned

(c) Krishna consciousness offers a practical solution

Only way to steadily control the mind is by engaging in the transcendental loving service of the Lord

(d) Krishna consciousness compared to a yoga practitioner

A Krishna conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga-practice without separate endeavor
But a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Krishna conscious

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.36 & 6.37: After understanding the formidability of the obstacles to progress in yoga and after hearing of the processes to remove them, Arjuna speaks the next verse.

(a) Mind is restless and turbulent like the wind –

For a man in the practical world who has to fight so many opposing elements, it is very difficult to control the mind
Artificially one may establish a mental equilibrium towards friends and enemies, but ultimately no worldly man can do so, for this is more difficult than controlling the raging wind

(b) Mind as strong and obstinate – Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind but the mind often overcomes one’s own intelligence

Analogy: Just like an acute infection may surpass the efficacy of medicine, a strong mind may overcome one’s own intelligence

(c) Analogy: Mind as driving instrument of a chariot (Ref. Katha Upanisad 1.3.3–1.3.4)

Individual soul – Passenger of the chariot
Body – Chariot
Intelligence – Driver
Mind – Driving instrument
Senses – Horses

(d) Easiest way to control the mind – Chant Hare Krishna in all humility

As suggested by Lord Caitanya
Ref. SB 9.4.18-20 “sa vai manah…” Ambarisha Maharaja fixed his mind on Krishna

Text 6.35

THEME : Solution to mind-control – Krishna agrees that mind control is very difficult, but suggests the possibility of control by suitable practice and detachment

Learnings from Purport 6.35

(a) ‘Practice’ recommended for modern age – nine types of devotional service

First and foremost practice is hearing (sravanam)
Hearing is a powerful method for purging the mind of all misgivings
o Effect of hearing – The more one hears, the more one becomes enlightened and detached from everything that draws the mind away from Krishna

(b) ‘Detachment’ – It implies detachment from matter and engagement of the mind in spirit

By detaching the mind from activities not devoted to the Lord and getting attached to devotional activities, one can very easily learn vairagya
Impersonal spiritual detachment is more difficult than attaching the mind to the activities of Krishna

(c) ‘Paresanubhava’ – Spiritual satisfaction achieved by positive attachment of service

It is practical because by hearing about Krishna one becomes automatically attached to the Supreme spirit
Analogy: Hungry man satisfied with food feels satisfaction and nourished
Anology: Devotional service compared to curing a disease by the process called Krishna consciousness
o Expert treatment for the mad mind – Hearing of the transcendental activities of Lord Krishna
o Diet – Eating foodstuffs offered to Krishna

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.35 & 6.36: Krishna continues instructing Arjuna on the importance of mind control in the next verse.

Text 6.36

THEME : Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work.

Learnings from Purport (6.36)

(a) Analogy: Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite fire while pouring water on it

(b) Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time

Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative but it is useless as far as spiritual realisation is concerned

(c) Krishna consciousness offers a practical solution

Only way to steadily control the mind is by engaging in the transcendental loving service of the Lord

(d) Krishna consciousness compared to a yoga practitioner

A Krishna conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga-practice without separate endeavor
But a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Krishna conscious

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.36 & 6.37: After understanding the formidability of the obstacles to progress in yoga and after hearing of the processes to remove them, Arjuna speaks the next verse.

(a) Which yoga system is being reject here

The one described by Lord Krishna from Text 6.11 (“sucau dese…”) to Text 6.32 (“…yogi paramah”)

(b) Preaching application: If Arjuna rejects, what to talk of modern man with all incapabilities of Kaliyuga

Characteristics of Kali-yuga
o Bitter struggle for a life of short duration
o People are not serious about self-realisation even by simple practical means,
o What to speak this difficult yoga system which regulates the mode of living, the manner of sitting, selection of place, and detachment of the mind from material engagements
Superexcellent abilities of Arjuna as compared to men of Kali-yuga
o He belongs to the royal family
o He was a great warrior
o He had great longevity and
o Above all he was the intimate friend of Lord Krishna

(c) Modern imitation yoga schools are thus condemned because they are completely ignorance of the desired goal

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.33 & 6.34: Arjuna thus points out why maintaining this outlook is so problematic.

Text 6.34

THEME : Nature of mind

Restless and turbulent – like wind (Analogy)
Strong and obstinate

Learnings from Purport 6.34

(a) Mind is restless and turbulent like the wind –

For a man in the practical world who has to fight so many opposing elements, it is very difficult to control the mind
Artificially one may establish a mental equilibrium towards friends and enemies, but ultimately no worldly man can do so, for this is more difficult than controlling the raging wind

(b) Mind as strong and obstinate – Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind but the mind often overcomes one’s own intelligence

Analogy: Just like an acute infection may surpass the efficacy of medicine, a strong mind may overcome one’s own intelligence

(c) Analogy: Mind as driving instrument of a chariot (Ref. Katha Upanisad 1.3.3–1.3.4)

Individual soul – Passenger of the chariot
Body – Chariot
Intelligence – Driver
Mind – Driving instrument
Senses – Horses

(d) Easiest way to control the mind – Chant Hare Krishna in all humility

As suggested by Lord Caitanya
Ref. SB 9.4.18-20 “sa vai manah…” Ambarisha Maharaja fixed his mind on Krishna

Text 6.35

THEME : Solution to mind-control – Krishna agrees that mind control is very difficult, but suggests the possibility of control by suitable practice and detachment

Learnings from Purport 6.35

(a) ‘Practice’ recommended for modern age – nine types of devotional service

First and foremost practice is hearing (sravanam)
Hearing is a powerful method for purging the mind of all misgivings
o Effect of hearing – The more one hears, the more one becomes enlightened and detached from everything that draws the mind away from Krishna

(b) ‘Detachment’ – It implies detachment from matter and engagement of the mind in spirit

By detaching the mind from activities not devoted to the Lord and getting attached to devotional activities, one can very easily learn vairagya
Impersonal spiritual detachment is more difficult than attaching the mind to the activities of Krishna

(c) ‘Paresanubhava’ – Spiritual satisfaction achieved by positive attachment of service

It is practical because by hearing about Krishna one becomes automatically attached to the Supreme spirit
Analogy: Hungry man satisfied with food feels satisfaction and nourished
Anology: Devotional service compared to curing a disease by the process called Krishna consciousness
o Expert treatment for the mad mind – Hearing of the transcendental activities of Lord Krishna
o Diet – Eating foodstuffs offered to Krishna

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.35 & 6.36: Krishna continues instructing Arjuna on the importance of mind control in the next verse.

Text 6.36

THEME : Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work.

Learnings from Purport (6.36)

(a) Analogy: Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite fire while pouring water on it

(b) Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time

Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative but it is useless as far as spiritual realisation is concerned

(c) Krishna consciousness offers a practical solution

Only way to steadily control the mind is by engaging in the transcendental loving service of the Lord

(d) Krishna consciousness compared to a yoga practitioner

A Krishna conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga-practice without separate endeavor
But a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Krishna conscious

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.36 & 6.37: After understanding the formidability of the obstacles to progress in yoga and after hearing of the processes to remove them, Arjuna speaks the next verse.

(a) Which yoga system is being reject here

The one described by Lord Krishna from Text 6.11 (“sucau dese…”) to Text 6.32 (“…yogi paramah”)

(b) Preaching application: If Arjuna rejects, what to talk of modern man with all incapabilities of Kaliyuga

Characteristics of Kali-yuga
o Bitter struggle for a life of short duration
o People are not serious about self-realisation even by simple practical means,
o What to speak this difficult yoga system which regulates the mode of living, the manner of sitting, selection of place, and detachment of the mind from material engagements
Superexcellent abilities of Arjuna as compared to men of Kali-yuga
o He belongs to the royal family
o He was a great warrior
o He had great longevity and
o Above all he was the intimate friend of Lord Krishna

(c) Modern imitation yoga schools are thus condemned because they are completely ignorance of the desired goal

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.33 & 6.34: Arjuna thus points out why maintaining this outlook is so problematic.

Text 6.34

THEME : Nature of mind

Restless and turbulent – like wind (Analogy)
Strong and obstinate

Learnings from Purport 6.34

(a) Mind is restless and turbulent like the wind –

For a man in the practical world who has to fight so many opposing elements, it is very difficult to control the mind
Artificially one may establish a mental equilibrium towards friends and enemies, but ultimately no worldly man can do so, for this is more difficult than controlling the raging wind

(b) Mind as strong and obstinate – Intelligence is supposed to direct the mind but the mind often overcomes one’s own intelligence

Analogy: Just like an acute infection may surpass the efficacy of medicine, a strong mind may overcome one’s own intelligence

(c) Analogy: Mind as driving instrument of a chariot (Ref. Katha Upanisad 1.3.3–1.3.4)

Individual soul – Passenger of the chariot
Body – Chariot
Intelligence – Driver
Mind – Driving instrument
Senses – Horses

(d) Easiest way to control the mind – Chant Hare Krishna in all humility

As suggested by Lord Caitanya
Ref. SB 9.4.18-20 “sa vai manah…” Ambarisha Maharaja fixed his mind on Krishna

Text 6.35

THEME : Solution to mind-control – Krishna agrees that mind control is very difficult, but suggests the possibility of control by suitable practice and detachment

Learnings from Purport 6.35

(a) ‘Practice’ recommended for modern age – nine types of devotional service

First and foremost practice is hearing (sravanam)
Hearing is a powerful method for purging the mind of all misgivings
o Effect of hearing – The more one hears, the more one becomes enlightened and detached from everything that draws the mind away from Krishna

(b) ‘Detachment’ – It implies detachment from matter and engagement of the mind in spirit

By detaching the mind from activities not devoted to the Lord and getting attached to devotional activities, one can very easily learn vairagya
Impersonal spiritual detachment is more difficult than attaching the mind to the activities of Krishna

(c) ‘Paresanubhava’ – Spiritual satisfaction achieved by positive attachment of service

It is practical because by hearing about Krishna one becomes automatically attached to the Supreme spirit
Analogy: Hungry man satisfied with food feels satisfaction and nourished
Anology: Devotional service compared to curing a disease by the process called Krishna consciousness
o Expert treatment for the mad mind – Hearing of the transcendental activities of Lord Krishna
o Diet – Eating foodstuffs offered to Krishna

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.35 & 6.36: Krishna continues instructing Arjuna on the importance of mind control in the next verse.

Text 6.36

THEME : Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work.

Learnings from Purport (6.36)

(a) Analogy: Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite fire while pouring water on it

(b) Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time

Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative but it is useless as far as spiritual realisation is concerned

(c) Krishna consciousness offers a practical solution

Only way to steadily control the mind is by engaging in the transcendental loving service of the Lord

(d) Krishna consciousness compared to a yoga practitioner

A Krishna conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga-practice without separate endeavor
But a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Krishna conscious

LINK BETWEEN TEXTS 6.36 & 6.37: After understanding the formidability of the obstacles to progress in yoga and after hearing of the processes to remove them, Arjuna speaks the next verse.