Chapter 18, Verse 33
Moksha Sanyaas Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
dhṛityā—by determining; yayā—which; dhārayate—sustains; manaḥ—of the mind; prāṇa—life-airs; indriya—senses; kriyāḥ—activities; yogena—through Yog; avyabhichāriṇyā—with steadfastness; dhṛitiḥ—determination; sā—that; pārtha—Arjun, the son of Pritha; sāttvikī—in the mode of goodness
English translation
The unwavering firmness, through which Yoga restrains the functions of the mind, life-force, and senses—that firmness, O Arjuna, is Sattvic (pure).
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 18.33
Commentary
When firmness is awakened in the mind; the activities of the mind; the lifeforce and the senses are brought under control. The senses are withdrawn into the mind. The Prana and the Apana pass into the Sushumna Nadi. Yoga Samadhi or concentration of the mind. You cannot restrain the mind; the lifeforce and the senses by mere firmness. You can control them only by firmness which is ever accompanied by concentration of the mind. When the mind; the lifeforce and the senses are curbed by unwarvering firmness; they cannot run towards external sensual objects; they cannot do any mischief; they cannot move in ways which are opposed to the scriptures; they will be absorbed into their respective causes and their outgoing tendencies will be totally checked. This firmness is not repression or suppression; but an intelligent sublimation and inner transformation.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
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