Meditation According to Bhagavad Gita (Handout of Talk)

(This is the handout prepared for a talk titled “Meditation According to Bhagavad Gita” at Vivekananda Study Circle, IISc, Bangalore.)

The audio of the 2-hour talk can be accessed here.

YouTube link to the video can be accessed here.

A guided meditation session to a different group on similar lines can be accessed here.

• Definition of Meditation:
  • Continuous flow of related thoughts as a purely mental activity
• Types:
  • Upāsana – imagination
  • Nididhyāsana – enquiry into truth
• Purposes:
  • Behaviour is driven by the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind can be reprogrammed by tuning the value system by retrospection and introspection using the intellect by the process of meditation. Meditation is a link between the conscious and subconscious minds.
  • Meditation gives inner joy by temporarily delinking from sense objects, just like in deep sleep. This will give a firsthand experience that we don’t depend on people, objects and situations outside for happiness. This will develop detachment. This will help us to see situations with a more balanced mind.
  • Meditation helps to develop a personal relationship with Ishvara
  • Meditation quietens the mind to that extent that, when we look within with such a mind, we can gain the knowledge of the real nature of ourselves. This will reveal that our individual identity is false. This knowledge will show us that intrinsically we are from all sorrow. This is called Moksha or Jnāna. After that, Meditation will help to imbibe the knowledge fully into the mind and become free from the defects of the mind like desire, anger, greed, jealousy, fear, anxiety, arrogance, etc. This is called Jivanmukti or Vijnāna.

Selected Verses

Hierarchy of Control

इन्द्रियाणि पराण्याहुरिन्द्रियेभ्यः परं मनः ।
मनसस्तु परा बुद्धिर्यो बुद्धेः परतस्तु सः ॥ ३-४२॥
indriyāṇi parāṇyāhurindriyebhyaḥ paraṃ manaḥ ।
manasastu parā buddhiryo buddheḥ paratastu saḥ ॥ 3-42॥
इन्द्रियाणि पराणि आहुः इन्द्रियेभ्यः परम् मनः ।
मनसः तु परा बुद्धिः यः बुद्धेः परतः तु सः ॥ ३-४२॥
indriyāṇi parāṇi āhuḥ indriyebhyaḥ param manaḥ ।
manasaḥ tu parā buddhiḥ yaḥ buddheḥ parataḥ tu saḥ॥ 3-42॥

Sense organs are higher than sense objects. Higher than sense organs is the mind. Higher than the mind is the intellect. The Jiva is higher than the intellect.

Regulation and Moderation

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥ ६-१७॥
yuktāhāravihārasya  yuktaceṣṭasya karmasu ।
yuktasvapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkhahā ॥ 6-17॥
युक्त-आहार-विहारस्य युक्त-चेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्त-स्वप्न-अवबोधस्य योगः भवति दुःखहा ॥ ६-१७॥
yukta-āhāra-vihārasya  yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu ।
yukta-svapna-avabodhasya yogaḥ bhavati duḥkhahā॥ 6-17॥

To the person who has regulation in eating, relaxing, working, sleeping and waking, Yoga becomes the destroyer of misery.

Solitude

योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः ।
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः ॥ ६-१०॥
yogī yuñjīta satatamātmānaṃ rahasi sthitaḥ ।
ekākī yatacittātmā nirāśīraparigrahaḥ॥ 6-10॥
योगी युञ्जीत सततम् आत्मानम् रहसि स्थितः ।
एकाकी यत-चित्त-आत्मा निराशीः अपरिग्रहः ॥ ६-१०॥
yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānam rahasi sthitaḥ ।
ekākī yata-citta-ātmā nirāśīḥ aparigrahaḥ  ॥ 6-10॥

The Yogi must always meditate within in the heart, remaining in solitude, alone, with body and mind under control, free from desires and possessions.

A lifestyle of solitude is necessary to be able to meditate deeply. Different aspects of solitude are listed here:

1. Rahasi – Environmental solitude – meditate in a place where no one else is there
2. Sthitah – Physical solitude – be in a comfortable straight posture, in which you can forget the body and breathing
3. Ekāki – Relational solitude – forget all relationships, roles and responsibilities in the world during meditation
4. Yata citta ātmā – Emotional solitude – be free from all grudges, guilt, regrets, anxiety, fear, jealousy, hatred, etc.
5. Nirāshīh – Ambitional solitude – be free from all worldly agenda and ambitions during meditation
6. Aparigrahah – Possessional solitude – be free from all claims of ownership, trusteeship, controllership, etc.

When this solitude is attained, the mind will naturally settle on the Atman within.

Seat

शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः ।
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥ ६-११॥
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiramāsanamātmanaḥ ।
nātyucchritaṃ nātinīcaṃ cailājinakuśottaram ॥ 6-11॥
शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरम् आसनम् आत्मनः ।
न अति-उच्छ्रितम् न अति-नीचम् चैल-अजिन-कुश-उत्तरम् ॥ ६-११॥
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiram āsanam ātmanaḥ ।
na ati-ucchritam na ati-nīcam caila-ajina-kuśa-uttaram ॥ 6-11॥

In a clean place, establishing a firm personal seat, that is neither too high nor too low, made of a cloth, skin and grass placed one over the other …

Preparatory Practice

तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः ।
उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये ॥ ६-१२॥
tatraikāgraṃ manaḥ kṛtvā yatacittendriyakriyaḥ ।
upaviśyāsane yuñjyādyogamātmaviśuddhaye ॥ 6-12॥
तत्र एकाग्रम् मनः कृत्वा यत-चित्त-इन्द्रिय-क्रियः ।
उपविश्य आसने युञ्ज्यात् योगम् आत्म-विशुद्धये ॥ ६-१२॥
tatra ekāgram manaḥ kṛtvā yata-citta-indriya-kriyaḥ ।
upaviśya āsane yuñjyāt yogam ātma-viśuddhaye ॥ 6-12॥

There, concentrating the mind, controlling the activities of the senses and mind, sitting on the seat, you must practice Yoga for the purification of the mind.

Posture and Gaze

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः ।
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥ ६-१३॥
samaṃ kāyaśirogrīvaṃ dhārayannacalaṃ sthiraḥ ।
samprekṣya nāsikāgraṃ svaṃ diśaścānavalokayan॥ 6-13॥
समम् काय-शिरः-ग्रीवम् धारयन् अचलम् स्थिरः ।
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिक-अग्रं स्वम् दिशः च अनवलोकयन् ॥ ६-१३॥
samam kāya-śiraḥ-grīvam dhārayan acalam sthiraḥ ।
samprekṣya nāsika-agraṃ svam diśaḥ ca anavalokayan॥ 6-13॥

With body, head and neck in a straight line, holding steady without any movement, gazing at the tip of your nose, not looking in any other direction.

Process of Meditation

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः ।
मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥ ६-१४॥
praśāntātmā vigatabhīrbrahmacārivrate sthitaḥ ।
manaḥ saṃyamya maccitto yukta āsīta matparaḥ॥ 6-14॥
प्रशान्त-आत्मा विगत-भीः ब्रह्मचारि-व्रते स्थितः ।
मनः संयम्य मत्-चित्तः युक्तः आसीत मत्-परः ॥ ६-१४॥
praśānta-ātmā vigata-bhīḥ brahmacāri-vrate sthitaḥ ।
manaḥ saṃyamya mat-cittaḥ yuktaḥ āsīta mat-paraḥ ॥ 6-14॥

With serene mind (undisturbed by past), free from fear (and desire about the future), established in the vow of sense-control (at present), controlling the mind, with mind focused on Me, having Me as the Supreme Goal, sit (in meditation).

शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया ।
आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥ ६-२५॥
śanaiḥ śanairuparamed buddhyā dhṛtigṛhītayā ।
ātmasaṃsthaṃ manaḥ kṛtvā na kiñcidapi cintayet ॥ 6-25॥
शनैः शनैः उपरमेत् बुद्ध्या धृति-गृहीतया ।
आत्म-संस्थम् मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चित् अपि चिन्तयेत् ॥ ६-२५॥
śanaiḥ śanaiḥ uparamet buddhyā dhṛti-gṛhītayā ।
ātma-saṃstham manaḥ kṛtvā na kiñcit api cintayet॥ 6-25॥

Gradually attain quietude, by the intellect set in patient determination, by the mind established in the Self, don’t think about anything else.

यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् ।
ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत् ॥ ६-२६॥
yato yato niścarati manaścañcalamasthiram ।
tatastato niyamyaitadātmanyeva vaśaṃ nayet ॥ 6-26॥
यतः यतः निश्चरति मनः चञ्चलम् अस्थिरम् ।
ततः ततः नियम्य एतत् आत्मनि एव वशं नयेत् ॥ ६-२६॥
yataḥ yataḥ niścarati manaḥ cañcalam asthiram ।
tataḥ tataḥ niyamya etat ātmani eva vaśaṃ nayet ॥ 6-26॥

Wherever (and whenever, repeatedly) the unsteady mind wanders away restlessly, from there (and then) bring back the mind and put it in (the thought of) the Self.

Culmination

प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम् ।
उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम् ॥ ६-२७॥
praśāntamanasaṃ hyenaṃ yoginaṃ sukhamuttamam ।
upaiti śāntarajasaṃ brahmabhūtamakalmaṣam॥ 6-27॥
प्रशान्त-मनसम् हि एनम् योगिनम् सुखम् उत्तमम् ।
उपैति शान्त-रजसम् ब्रह्म-भूतम् अकल्मषम् ॥ ६-२७॥
praśānta-manasam hi enam yoginam sukham uttamam ।
upaiti śānta-rajasam brahma-bhūtam akalmaṣam॥ 6-27॥

One with tranquil mind, that Yogi, attains the supreme peace, with passions quietened, having become Brahman, is free from taint.

The sequence of attainments of the spiritual aspirant is enumerated here.

1. The mind becomes tranquil, free from all grudges, guilt, anxiety, fear, etc.
2. The mind enjoys inner peace, contentment and bliss
3. The passions of desire, anger, jealousy, greed, etc. get subdued
4. Knowledge of the identity of the Self and Brahman comes
5. Freedom from all pāpa and punya, and consequently freedom from rebirth is attained

Thus, Dhyāna Yoga results in the Supreme Goal of life.

Practice

• Get a spiritual practice from a Guru. Till then choose a spiritual practice. Don’t change your practice for a few years.
  • Choose an Ishta Devatā
  • Choose a mantra or name of God for constant chanting
  • Have a room or corner
  • Have an altar with pictures of your Ishta Devatā
• Choose a procedure for daily puja, chanting and meditation
  • Light a lamp. Place some flowers. Bow down
  • Sit straight on a rug, stretch and relax
  • Chant loudly. Do 2-3 rounds of prānāyāma
  • Wish everyone well. Thank life, people, God
  • Imagine golden yellow light in the center of a fully bloomed lotus in the center of the chest and invoke your Ishta devata as the light
  • Chant mentally, do rupa dhyāna, leela dhyāna or mānasa puja
  • Whenever mind wanders, bring back gently firmly repeatedly with no regret, and continue
  • Do japa of your mantra offering every utterance with love
  • Take a deep breath. Be aware of your surroundings. Open your eyes.
  • Thank your teachers and God. Bow down. Offer the fruits to God
• Lead a Meditation conducive lifestyle
  • When you wakeup, chant the name or mantra
  • Before breakfast, do your daily puja, chanting, meditation, etc.
  • Always before anything enters your mouth, offer it to the Lord
  • Chant the name or mantra when doing any work that does not
    need your full attention, like brushing, bathing, cooking, walking,
    Never leave the mind idle
  • Before dinner, do your daily puja, chanting, meditation, etc.
  • Chant before going to sleep
• Every month, take a day off for full-time spiritual sādhana. Every year, take a week off for spiritual sadhana

Expected Outcomes

• Deep love for God and living beings
• Deeper understanding of truth
• Free from hankering after pleasure
• Reduced expectation and attachment to people, objects and situations
• Greater enthusiasm and resilience in life
• Greater capacity to face adversities
• Reduced desire, greed, anger, jealousy, fear, sorrow, confusion, anxiety, etc.

Verses courtesy: sanskritdocuments.org