Arjuna, for a practical mind, there can be only one philosophy of life, a theoretical mind branches out endlessly in many directions.And there are ignorant people who talk of the Vedas in flowery language, they, full of greed, seeking heaven for enjoyment and prosperity, perform all sorts of rituals. Those whose minds are obsessed with enjoyments and luxury will not be able to concentrate on any one practical course.
Vedas, deal with worldly desires; you must rise above them, Arjuna! Be above these pairs of pleasure and grief, be self-possessed,self-confident, and do not worry about acquiring and maintaining wealth. For a brahmana who knows, all the Vedas are only of as much use as a well when there is water everywhere.
Your duty is to act, not worry about result. Do not engage in action just for the result; do not be attached to inaction either. Steadfast in the practice of yoga, act without attachment, composed in successor failure. Equanimity is what yoga is. Far inferior is action to yoga which is based on understanding. Take refuge in intellect; pitiable are those who hanker only after results. An intelligent man does not worry about past actions, good and bad.
Therefore, Arjuna, practise yoga. Yoga is nothing but skill in action. Wise men, not caring about the result of past actions, and thus free of the bonds of life,reach the highest state of happiness. When the mind moves out of the jungle of ignorance, you will be above all that has been heard or still to be heard. And when, undistracted by the Vedas, your mind stands firm and focused, then will you attain yoga.
Arjuna: How do you define a man of focused mind, how will such a man behave, standing, walking or talking?
Krishna: When a person gets rid of all passions from his mind, and finds happiness in himself, then he is said to be a focused man. Not dejected in trouble, disinterested in pleasures,devoid of passion and anger, and of few words- such a one is called a focused man. Who is detached from all things, not over-joyed in gain, nor dejected in loss, his mind is focused. When he withdraws his senses from sense-objects, like a turtle which draws its limbs in from all sides, then he is really focused.
Sense-objects can be kept away, if one abstains; but the appetite remains. The appetite also will go, when you realize the ultimate truth. The senses forcefully pull the mind of even the most learned man, and make him restless, however much he strives. Control all of them, and rest with full trust in me. He whose senses are under control, such a man's mind is focused.
If a man thinks always of sensual pleasures, he gets addicted to them. From addiction comes passion and from passion,anger. Anger leads to confused mind, and from it, erratic memory.Memory- loss means death of all thinking power and that is the end of existence. Your mind will become unruffled and clear, if you master your self and enjoy objects with senses under control. All sorrows end when the mind is unruffled. One will be able to think properly, when the mind is clear.
No learning is possible for the undisciplined, no thinking, and no peace of mind for unthinking man. How can there be any happiness for a disturbed soul? If one's mind is subject to the vagaries of the senses, it pulls one's intelligence out of course,like a wind which scatters a ship. Therefore, it is a man whose senses are under control that can be said to be of steady mind. When it is night for others,then yogi remains awake. And where the others are awake, that is the yogi's night.
The man who gives up all passions, has no desires,no possessiveness, and who is not ego-centric, he attains ultimate peace.This is the highest spiritual state; having reached it, none falls into confusion. Even if it is only at the time of death, he becomes one with the universal soul.
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