Srimad Bhagavad-Gita : Chapter-18, Slokam - 33.

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Sunday, August 21. 2022. 06:30. 

Chapter-18.  Moksha-sannyasa-yogam.

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Slokam-33 :

"Dhrtya   yaya   dharayate   manahpranendriyakriyah,

yogenavyabhicarinya   dhrtih   sa   partha   sattviki."

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Translation of slokam :

"Arjuna, that determination which is unbreakable, which is sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice, and thus controls the mind, life, and the acts of the senses, is satvic gunam." 

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Translation : 

Partha  =  Arjuna!

yogena  =  by  yoga  practice;

avyabhicarinya  =  without any break;

yaya   dhrtya   =  by  which  determination;

manah  prana  idriya  kriyah  =  activities  of  mind,  jiva,  and  senses;

dharayate  =  is sustained;

sa   dhrtih  sattviki  =  that  determination  is  satvikam.

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Commentary :

The potency of unwavering meditation and pranayama or breath control by which one enables and directs all the energies of the mind and controls the senses is an auxillary of yoga the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness and is the only means of moksa or liberation from material existence. 

Bhakti yoga is exclusive loving devotion to the Supreme Lord Krishna or any of authorised avatars or incarnations as revealed in Vedic scriptures. 

This is absolutely the only way one may be freed from the enslavement of samsara the perpetual cycle of birth and death. 

There is no other alternative. 

Bhakti is glorious and sanctified, bestowing beatific bliss upon the performer and blessings upon all creation and is the only means for attaining the ultimate goal of all existence. 

On who has cast all other conceptions and designations far away and exclusively engages in bhakti yoga to the Supreme Lord with their mind, senses and body has their dhriti or determination situated fully in sattva guna the mode of goodness. 

Of the three types of dhriti or determination influenced by the three gunas or modes of material existence, Lord Krishna first begins with sattva guna the mode of goodness. 

The proposed activity which is unwavering in its resolve, focused in mind one pointedly without deviation or cessation by utilising the yoga of meditation and pranayama or breath control to direct the function of the senses such dhriti is invariably situated in sattva guna.

Although consciousness has many functions such as desire and aversion, it is buddhi intellect and dhriti determination which lead to righteousness and happiness whereas their absence leads to unrighteousness and despair. 

Of the various functions of the consciousness buddhi and dhriti are the chief ones that determine the others and so the influence of the three gunas or modes of material nature have been specifically explained in this light by Lord Krishna.

The threefold influence of the three gunas or modes of material nature beginning with sattva guna mode of goodness on dhrita or determination is illustrated by unwavering concentration upon the goal to be achieved by the aid of yoga or the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness by meditation and breathing exercises known as pranayama by which the senses are brought under complete control and directed to focus fully upon the goal. 

Such dhrita possessed by a jiva or embodied being is situated in sattva guna.

To be continued  ...

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