अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् |
अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय || 9||
atha chittaṁ samādhātuṁ na śhaknoṣhi mayi sthiram
abhyāsa-yogena tato mām ichchhāptuṁ dhanañjaya
atha—if; chittam—mind; samādhātum—to fix; na śhaknoṣhi—(you) are unable; mayi—on Me; sthiram—steadily; abhyāsa-yogena—by uniting with God through repeated practice; tataḥ—then; mām—me; ichchhā—desire; āptum—to attain; dhanañjaya—Arjun, the conqueror of wealth
Translation:
O Arjuna! If you are not able to fix the mind firmly in Me, then desire to reach Me by the yoga of constant practice. (Practise constantly and fix the mind in Me).
Commentary:
The Lord offers certain alternatives for those who are not able to follow the path pointed out in the previous verse. How much the Lord is interested in His devotees! How kind and compassionate He is to all! The mind is the cause of bondage or limitation.
Mana eva manusyanām
kāraṇam bandhamokshayoḥ
(Amrtabindupaniṣad).
So the mind should be dissolved in Paramatma, God, for attaining Moksha. The Lord exhorts. Arjuna to attain that state by the yoga of constant practice. There is no other way. Everyone should strive for this state by withdrawing the mind from external objects and fixing it in the Self. If, in the beginning, this is not possible, by slow and steady practice the mind should be trained to enter the inner sphere of Atma. As Moksha is nothing else but merging the mind in Atma, all seekers should achieve it sooner or later. In the Sixth Discourse, the Lord has already pointed out the truth.
Abhyasayogena: This yoga is the common ingredient in all the other yogas – Karma, Bhakti, Dhyana and Jnana. Without it, no yoga could develop and lead the person to the goal.
Generally, the seekers put this question to their Master (Guru) “Revered Sir! My mind is unsteady and I am not able to fix it in God. What shall I do?” The Lord gives the answer to such seekers here. He says that there is no other way except to control the mind by long and untiring practice. In the Sixth Discourse, Arjuna raises the same issue and the Master answers it clearly and finally.
Abhyasena tu kaunteya
vairagyena ca grhyate (6-35.)
As there is no other way, all men should try their best to control the mind by steady practice and dispassion.
Question: What should man do if the mind is unsteady and does not rest in Atma?
Answer: The aspirant should achieve that state by constant practice. There is no other way.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 12 🔻 (20 Verses)
