योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थित: |
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रह: || 10||
yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ
ekākī yata-chittātmā nirāśhīr aparigrahaḥ
yogī—a yogi; yuñjīta—should remain engaged in meditation; satatam—constantly; ātmānam—self; rahasi—in seclusion; sthitaḥ—remaining; ekākī—alone; yata-chitta-ātmā—with a controlled mind and body; nirāśhīḥ—free from desires; aparigrahaḥ—free from desires for possessions
Translation:
Alone, stationed in a solitary place, self-controlled, free from desire, and not receiving anything from others, the yogi (Practising Dhyanayoga) should unite the mind with Atma.
Commentary:
From this verse onwards, the practice of Dhyanayoga is explained in detail. Here the word ‘Yogi’ does not refer to one who has already attained perfection. It applies to those only who are seeking yoga (union with the Self). Five conditions are mentioned for the practice of Dhyanayoga- 1. Solitude, 2. Living in a lonely place, 3. Control of mind and body 4. Desirelessness 5 Non-receiving.
Stationed in a Solitary place: The yogi should practise meditation in a lonely place. Pretenders who sit in yogic pose in public thoroughfares are cheats and beggars. The yogi practises meditation not to derive benefit or admiration from others. The aim of the yogi is to establish union between himself and God. So he should seek a solitary place where the mind is not distracted by the sights and sounds of worldly life. That is why the ancient sages sought for the solitude of mountain-caves and river-beds, to carry on their spiritual practice. The solitude of nature is itself a purifying influence, and the vast silence around induces the mood of meditation without much effort. The beauty of nature delights and calms the mind, and the turbulent impulses are subdued of their own accord. The house-holders can create solitude in their own homes by keeping a small enclosure for purposes of worship and dhyana. The images of saints and sages along with the Deity of family worship may be kept there and worshipped with flowers, incense, and camphor. Such a place will indeed be solitude. This is a liberal interpretation to undertake the practice of Dhyana for self-advancement.
Alone: Meditation has to be practised alone and not in the company of others. In Bhakti Yoga ‘samkirtan‘ and ‘bhajan’ could be carried with greater intensity by groups of like-minded devotees. Not so in Dhyana Yoga. Even the proximity of another is a disturbing factor. So in Dhyana Yoga the aspirant has to remain alone with his mind in communion with the Self.
Control of mind and desirelessness are again emphasised. The aspirant should not receive anything from others. If anything is offered for the bare maintenance of the body, it may be taken. Beyond this, nothing should be touched. If gifts are received, the mind begins to dwell on them, and ‘Dhyana’ is thereby disturbed. Non-receiving of gifts is one of the basic virtues in spiritual life. So dhyana requires complete absorption of the whole self in the Supreme Being without any kind of disturbance or distraction. Dhyana should be continuous and unbroken. Therefore the word ‘satatam‘ is used here. There is no fear the man who is ever wakeful and vigilant in spiritual life. The hostile forces (tamas and rajas) cannot enter the mind when it keeps continuous vigilance. When the light is kept burning always, there is no fear of darkness.
Question: What are the conditions for the practice of Dhyana Yoga?
Answer: The Yogi should live in solitude. He should be all alone. He should control the mind and body. He should not have any desire. He should not receive any gifts from others.
Question: Following these conditions, what should the Yogi do?
Answer: He should merge his mind in Atma.
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 6 🔻 (47 Verses)
