Chapter 6 - Practice of Restraint

This chapter of 47slokas, known asaatma samyama yoga,Self Restraint, deals with all aspects of self-control needed for renunciation in action. Here Arjuna’s queries as to what would be the fate of man, were he to fail midway, in his efforts at self- control (s37). Even if it were the case, assures the Lord, still one wouldn't come to grief here or hereafter (s40). What is more, after being born many times over, eventually he attainsmoksha(s45). Further in s46, the Lord asserts that such a man is superior to the ritualistic character, and concludes in s47 that he remains His most blessed devotee.

Seen in this background, s 41 and s42 are clearly interpolations not only for affecting the continuity of the text but also for what they contain. S41 would have it that those who perform theasvamedha(ritualistic horse sacrifice) would reach heaven to be born again rich. Likewise s 42 would have us that, or such would be born in learned homes. It would seem that s46-s47 are digressions, but in effect they carry forward the Lord’s discourse from s32, at which point Arjuna interrupted Him with his queries.

S10-s17 deal with aspects of ascetic practice and do seem to be interpolations, even going by what is stated in the very opening verse, besides breaking the continuity in the proposition.

1

Thus spoke the Lord:

Forego none if forsake chores

Eye not gain ’n thou be freed.

2

If thou let go its godly

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Makes that hard thy self-interest.

3

Uphill though the way forsake

As ’n when thou make it there

Stay thus put with no more strain.

4

Reining senses sans motive

Wise on selfless deeds focus.

5

Noble or naughty it’s thy make

Self thus thine but shapes thyself.

6

Mind if reined, it’s thy friend

Foe it turns, let when loose.

7

Overcome if vicissitudes

Vibe thee well with Me Supreme.

8

Valuable or be otherwise

Treat all alike self-realized

Thus they remain ever even.

9

Wise is one, folks who treats

None the fear ’n sans favour.

18

With no longing freed of want

It’s then thou reach yogic state.

19

Rooted in self yogi true

Lamp he likens in still air.

20

Restrain mind in self-focus

Beatitude of life that makes.

21

Transcends senses if thy mind

It’s then thou reach state of bliss.

22

Rooted so on peak of bliss

Wise not bother lows of life.

23

So to live in yogic state

Untie wise from life's bothers.

24

Wise keep tabs on self-impulse

Affects to without are they immune.




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