In this chapter, Krishna says the path of action or karma also involves renunciation as the person is required to sacrifice their selfish intentions. The self consists of our mind, our senses and our body and all of these three can reach the soul. However, it is the same soul that resists a person from attaining the true self. Thus it is necessary to let our mind, souls and body control us than we controlling them.

 

Thus to practice yoga, a person should master the art of meditation. To meditate one must sit in a clean area which is covered with a clean cloth. He should sit in an upright posture, moderate his sleep and food and should keep concentration on just a single object. Meditation calms one down and brings peace to our lives and then it reveals the true Self. 

Also read: Deep Dive with Abhinav Khare: Path of renunciation or karma, as explained in Bhagvad Geeta

Meditation frees the self from all kinds of sufferings and sorrows. Arjun questions Krishna about the art of calming the mind as it is as difficult to master as the wind. Krishna answers that only through self-restraint and discipline can this be achieved. Arjun gets worried what will happen if a person has faith but have no self-discipline. Krishna reassures him that such a person is not lost as goodness leads to goodness only and he may attain the goal in a future life. 


Favourite Shlok

बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जित: |

अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्ते तात्मैव शत्रुवत् || - Shlok 6

The mind is a friend for those who could conquer their mind. The mind is an enemy for those who have failed to conquer their mind. 


Analysis

In this chapter, Krishna explains it in detail as to how one must practice meditation and what its necessary components are. In this chapter, Self and God are used almost interchangeably making it difficult to be comprehended. There are two schools of thoughts which have interpreted this text. The first is the non-dual school which says that both the Self and God are the same. The second is the Bhakti school, which believes that this implies a personal relationship with God. In this chapter, Krishna teaches Arjun that doing the right action will lead him to the path liberation and ultimately to god. This gave rise to these two concepts surrounding the Hindu tradition, but Krishna unites them all.

About Abhinav Khare:

Abhinav Khare is the CEO of AsiaNetNews Network and also the host of a daily show named Deep Dive with AK. AsiaNetNews is a leading media group of south India with highly valuable brands like AsiaNetNews, Suvarna News, Kannada Prabha, IndigoMusic, Indigo Radio, MyNation, NewsFast, IndigoXP Music lounges. 

He is a proud father of two beautiful daughters and resides in Bengaluru with his loving family and a lifetime collection of books and gadgets. An avid traveller, he has already pinged more than hundred cities from 5 major continents around the globe. 

A tech entrepreneur, who is passionate about policy, technology, economy and philosophy from ancient India. His favourite pastime is to research synergy between these facets of society. He earned his qualifications from the top 10 global universities; an MS Engineering from the ETH Zurich and an MBA Finance from the London Business School.