Chapter 6 Shlokas 13, 14

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिर:।

सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्।।१३।।

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थित:।

मन: संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्पर:।।१४।।

Speaking further about the mode of meditation, the Lord says:

Holding the body, head and neck erect, motionless and firm; gazing at the tip of the nose and not in any other direction, steady in continence, fearless, serene, restrained in mind and with concentration focused on Me, such a one, united with Me, should conform himself to Me.

Chapter 6 Shlokas 13, 14

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिर:।

सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्।।१३।।

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थित:।

मन: संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्पर:।।१४।।

Speaking further about the mode of meditation, the Lord says:

Holding the body, head and neck erect, motionless and firm; gazing at the tip of the nose and not in any other direction, steady in continence, fearless, serene, restrained in mind and with concentration focused on Me, such a one, united with Me, should conform himself to Me.

Little one, once the inner ‘seat’ is readied in preparation for yoga, the Lord now discusses the external pre-requisites.

The sadhak must interact in the world ‘with the body, head and neck steadied and motionless, with gaze fixed on the tip of the nose’ – these words indicate that the sadhak must not allow his attention to stray in the direction of the world, i.e. his mind must not dwell on sense objects. There should be nothing that he wishes to obtain from the world, so that:

a) his intellect concentrates only on the Atma;

b) he is able to identify with the Atma;

c) his mind is focused solely on the Atma;

d) he can view both truth and falsehood impartially.

The Lord has stipulated that one must focus oneself on the Atma with a tranquil mind. One must be fearless and renounce the body idea; one must be established in Brahmcharya, having taken the vow of continence.

Brahmchari (ब्रह्मचारी) (See also Chp.8, shloka 11, Chp.17, shloka 14)

1. The Brahmchari is one who has taken a vow to protect virtue.

2. He is one who ever emulates the principles of supreme conduct as set forth by Brahm and uses that supreme code in life.

3. He who endeavours to lead a life imbued with the supreme values is a Brahmchari.

4. His conduct is Brahm-like.

5. A Brahmchari is one whose constant endeavour and practice is to emulate Brahm.

6. He who goes through life with his gaze fixed only on the Atma, is a Brahmchari.

7. He who follows the path of Truth in order to manifest the Supreme, is a Brahmchari.

8. He who constantly endeavours to merge in the Atma is a Brahmchari.

9. The Yogi, or the one who has been absorbed in his Supreme Goal, is a Brahmchari.

The Lord clarifies, that he who has taken such a vow of Brahmcharya and has controlled his mind, whose mind-stuff is focused on the Lord’s Supreme Essence and who identifies himself with That Atma and then interacts in the world, is truly a Yogi.

Little one, in order to understand these shlokas, keep in mind that the Lord is specifying here the method whereby the jiva can become an Atmavaan, whereby he can renounce his body idea and merge in the Supreme Atma.

Let us revise what the Lord has said:

1. “Meditate on the Atma always and in solitude.” (Chp.6, shloka 10)

2. “Upon the pure soil of the mind-stuff, spread the cloth of detachment from the sensory world; thereafter, spread upon it the ‘hide’ of the body and the ‘kusha’ of one’s innate tendencies that dwell in the mind and intellect, aroused through previous association with the world. The Yogi must place himself upon this seat, and then meditate.” (Chp.6, shloka 11)

3. “Sitting upon that seat with a focused mind, the practicant of yoga must make endeavours for internal purity.” (Chp.6, shloka 12)

4. “Keeping the body motionless, he must not look elsewhere. Even though the body engages in all tasks, the gaze of the practicant must be fixed on the Atma.” (Chp.6, shloka 13)

5. “Having taken the vow of Brahmcharya, the tranquil and fearless Yogi must meditate on his true Essence – the Atma. He must align himself with Me and be steadfast.” (Chp.6, shloka 14)

Such a Yogi, despite performing all actions in the world, will not claim doership. After a prolonged period of such practice, he will renounce identification with the body and become an Atmavaan Yogi.