Bhagvad-Gita: Treatise of self-help by BS Murthy                                                                       <<Back to Chapter 5 Chapter-6: Practice of Restraint  This chapter of 47 slokas, known as aatma 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, asures the Lord, still one wouldn't come to grief here or hereafter (s40). What is more, after being born many times over, eventually he  attains moksha(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 the asvamedha (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 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. 25             Wed wise focus with calm mind Makes that life of theirs tranquil. 26 Pulled by wants as trips the mind   Gain ground wise by self-leverage. 27    Passions languid, mind tranquil Keep man ever on blissful course. 28 Mind that's pure with self-control Leads that man to State Brahman. 29 Espy wise in right outlook  Others in self ’n vice versa. 30    Discern Me in what they see Ever they find Me nearby them. 31    Me who sees in all beings He’s the one that dwells in Me. 32    He’s the yogi self-feels who Joys of others ’n grief as well. 33    Thus spoke Arjuna: Frail being man, fail I see Yoga Thou espouse, lasting in practice. 34    Can one ever tame his mind Like the wind that yields to none? 35    . Thus spoke the Lord: Calm ’n custom bring in ropes Tough ask though to subdue mind. 36     Fail keep going unruly  Persevere self-willed all the way. 37    . Thus spoke Arjuna: What if one Throws up all Lacks who zeal Hath though faith? 38    Resolve if dissolves in mid-course Won’t that be like scattered clouds? 39    Kindly dispel all my doubts  Think I none of else for that. 40    Thus spoke the Lord: Strives if one to enrich self Ends not in grief here or there.  43   Harnessed habit, of births past Helps man strive to self-realize. 44 With the reason thus imbibed Realized outwit scholars there.   45    Awareness of  births of yore Helps the striving gain moksha. 46    Ahead in protocol comes yogi  Learned, ascetics, as all sticklers for rituals. 47    He’s the yogi of yogis Self-inner who fills with Me.   Ends thus: Practice of Restraint, The Sixth Chapter  Of Bhagavad-Gita, Treatise of self-help. (cont...) <<Back to Chapter 5 Introduction  Chapter 1   Chapter 2    Chapter 3    Chapter 4    Chapter 5    Chapter 6  Chapter 7  Chapter 8    Chapter 9   Chapter 10 Chapter 11   Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14  Chapter 15  Chapter 16  Chapter 17  Chapter 18 Hinduism main page