यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता |
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मन: || 19||
yathā dīpo nivāta-stho neṅgate sopamā smṛitā
yogino yata-chittasya yuñjato yogam ātmanaḥ
yathā—as; dīpaḥ—a lamp; nivāta-sthaḥ—in a windless place; na—does not; iṅgate—flickers; sā—this; upamā—analogy; smṛitā—is considered; yoginaḥ—of a yogi; yata-chittasya—whose mind is disciplined; yuñjataḥ—steadily practicing; yogam—in meditation; ātmanaḥ—on the Supreme
Translation:
Just as a lamp in a windless place does not flicker, so the disciplined mind of a yogi remains steady in meditation on the Supreme.
Commentary:
The mind of the yogi in meditation is compared to a steady light kept in a windless place. The illustration is fascinating and appropriate. Like the lamp, the mind of the yogi is effulgent with the light of knowledge, and it is also steady. The windows of the senses through which the objective world gets into the mind causing destruction are closed by perfect self-control, and so the mind remains steady and firm in meditation. Just as the orb of the Sun is clearly reflected in a pure calm lake when there are no ripples or waves, so also the Self is clearly reflected in a pure calm mind. The impure mind is unsteady and restless due to the winds of desire blowing constantly, like the light placed in a windy place.
Sri Ramakrishna Says —
In order to perform the worship of God you will be preoccupied for a long time with such religious duties as plucking flowers, making sandal-paste, polishing the utensils of worship, and arranging offerings. As you perform these duties your mind will naturally be directed to God. You will get rid of meanness, anger, jealousy, and so forth. When you two sisters talk to each other, always talk about spiritual matters.
“The thing is somehow to unite the mind with God. You must not forget Him, not even once. Your thought of Him should be like the flow of oil, without any interruption. It you worship with love even a brick or stone as God, then through His grace you can see Him.
“Remember what I have just said to you. One should perform such worship as the Siva Puja. Once the mind has become mature, one doesn’t have to continue formal worship for long (BG 3.17, BG 3.18). The mind then always remains united with God; meditation and contemplation become a constant habit of mind.” (Source: Gospel of Sri Ramakrishna)
Question: To what is the meditating mind of the yogi compared?
Answer: It is compared to a lamp kept in a windless place. The idea is, that the mind of the yogi is steady and illumined with the light of Knowledge.
Question: How should the mind be when it is to be merged in Atma?
Answer: It should be perfectly controlled and free from any kind of disturbance resulting from the play of the senses.
(47 Verses)