Restraining the Mind Through Meditation

In this sections we will try to understand the verses centered around the method of meditation.

The mind is restless, difficult to restrain.

चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम्।
तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् ॥६:३४॥

Arjun says to Lord Krishna:
The mind is indeed restless and troubling, O Krishna. Forcing it to firmness, I think, is very difficult like restraining the wind.

The wandering mind can be restrained by practice.

श्रीभगवानुवाच -
असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम् ।
अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते ॥६:३५॥

Lord Krishna says to Arjun:
Undoubtedly the wandering mind is difficult to restrain, O mighty armed (O Arjun). But by practice and by asceticism, O son of Kunti (O Arjun), can be domesticated (controlled).

Establish a seat over the deerskin over the Kush grass at a clean location.

शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः।
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥६:११॥

Lord Krishna says to Arjun:
Locating a clean spot for oneself, neither very high nor very low, with cloth fur or deerskin over the sacred Kush (Desmostachya bipinnata) grass.

Practice yoga on that seat, controlling the senses and purifying yourself.

तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः ।
उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये ॥६:१२॥

Lord Krishna says to Arjun:
Seated at that spot, having an attentive mind, controlling the feelings due to activities of senses, practicing Yog or union, purifying oneself.

Hold the back straight, gazing at the tip of the nose not letting the eyes wander.

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः ।
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥६:१३॥

Lord Krishna says to Arjun:
Holding the body straight to the head and neck, staying still, gazing at the tip of the nose, and not letting the sight wander in other (its own) directions.

Having controlled the mind with devotion, the soul will be in peace, and the fears gone.

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः ।
मनः संयम्य मच्चितो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥६:१४॥

Lord Krishna says to Arjun:
The calm soul, with the fears gone, staying in avowed celibacy, having controlled the mind, seating me in the heart and engaged in devotion to me.

The Yogi (ascetic), having controlled the mind, comes to my company, achieving the ultimate peace.

युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः ।
शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ॥६:१५॥

Lord Krishna says to Arjun:
The ascetic, always practicing with disciplined mind, is liberated peacefully and becomes my companion.