Mastering yourself
Self-control is the foundation of all achievement. Learn to align your actions with your highest intentions.
Uddhared atmanatmanam natmanam avasadayet, atmaiva hy atmano bandhur atmaiva ripur atmanah
Elevate yourself through the power of your mind, and not degrade yourself. The mind can be the friend and also the enemy of the self.
Bandhur atmatmanas tasya yenatmaivatmana jitah, anatmanas tu shatrutve vartetatmaiva shatru-vat
For those who have conquered the mind, it is their friend. For those who have failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy.
Asanshayam maha-baho mano durnigraham calam, abhyasena tu kaunteya vairagyena ca grhyate
The mind is restless and difficult to restrain, but it is subdued by practice and detachment.
Yato yato nishcharati manash chanchalam asthiram, tatas tato niyamyaitad atmany eva vasham nayet
Whenever and wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, one should bring it back to focus on the self.
Evam buddheh param buddhva samstabhyatmanam atmana, jahi shatrum maha-baho kama-rupam durasadam
Thus knowing the soul to be superior to the material intellect, O mighty-armed Arjuna, subdue the self by the self and conquer lust, the formidable enemy.
Vishaya vinivartante niraharasya dehinah, rasa-varjam raso 'py asya param drishtva nivartate
The objects of the senses turn away from those who abstain from them, but the taste remains. However, even this taste ceases for those who have seen the Supreme.
Yatato hy api kaunteya purushasya vipashcitah indriyani pramathini haranti prasabham manah
The senses are so strong and turbulent that they can forcibly carry away the mind even of a person of discrimination who is endeavoring to control them. Even those actively practicing self-control can be overwhelmed by the power of the senses. This verse illustrates why constant vigilance and earnest effort are essential in spiritual practice.
Tani sarvani samyamya yukta asita mat-parah vashe hi yasyendriyani tasya prajna pratishthita
One who restrains his senses, keeping them under full control, and fixes his consciousness upon Me, is known as a man of steady intelligence. The path to steadiness of wisdom is through disciplined control of the senses combined with devotional focus on the Divine. These two together — restraint and devotion — stabilize the mind.
Indriyanan hi caratam yan mano 'nuvidhiyate tad asya harati prajnam vayur navam ivambhasi
Just as a strong wind sweeps away a boat on the water, even one of the roaming senses on which the mind focuses can carry away a person's intelligence. The analogy is vivid and powerful — a single sense faculty, when allowed to dominate the mind, can hijack one's entire wisdom and throw one off the path of liberation.
Tasmad yasya maha-baho nigrhitani sarvashah, indriyanindriyarthebhyas tasya prajna pratishthita
Therefore, O mighty-armed Arjuna, one whose senses are completely restrained from their objects is established in steady wisdom.
Sa nishchayena yoktavyo yogo 'nirvinna-cetasa, sankalpa-prabhavan kamams tyaktva sarvan asheshatah, manasaivendriya-gramam viniyamya samantatah
Yoga should be practiced with firm determination and without despondency; desires born of imagination should be completely abandoned and the multitude of senses restrained on all sides by the mind alone. Firm determination — not wavering or discouragement — is the attitude required for the long journey of meditation.
Shanaih shanair uparamed buddhya dhriti-grihitaya, atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet
Gradually, step by step, with the intellect endowed with steadiness, one should bring the mind to stillness, and think of nothing else.
Tasmat tvam indriyany adau niyamya bharatarshabha, papmanam prajahi hy enam jnana-vijnana-nashanam
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, at the outset control the senses and slay this destroyer of knowledge and self-realization, the embodiment of sin.
Indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah, manasas tu para buddhir yo buddheh paratas tu sah
The senses are superior to the gross body, the mind is superior to the senses, the intellect is superior to the mind, and the soul is superior to the intellect.
Shaknothaiva yah sodhum prak sharira-vimokshanat, kama-krodhodbhavam vegam sa yuktah sa sukhi narah
One who is able to withstand the impulse of desire and anger even before giving up the body — that person is a yogi and is happy. The capacity to endure these powerful inner forces without being swept away is the very definition of yogic mastery.
Abhayam sattva-samsuddhir jnana-yoga-vyavasthitih, danam damas cha yajnas cha svadhyayas tapa arjavam
Fearlessness, purity of heart, steadfastness in knowledge and yoga, charity, self-control, sacrifice, study of scriptures, austerity, and straightforwardness.
Ahimsa satyam akrodhas tyagah shantir apaishunam, daya bhuteshv aloluptvam mardavam hrir achapalam
Non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, renunciation, tranquility, absence of slander, compassion toward all, absence of greed, gentleness, modesty, and steadiness.
Tejah kshama dhritih shaucham adroho nati-manita, bhavanti sampadam daivim abhijatasya bharata
Vigor, forgiveness, fortitude, purity, absence of malice, and absence of pride—these qualities belong to those endowed with divine nature, O Arjuna.
Deva-dwija-guru-prājña-pūjanaṁ śhaucham ārjavam, brahmacharyam ahinsā cha śhārīraṁ tapa uchyate
Worship of the deities, the twice-born, teachers, and the wise; purity, straightforwardness, celibacy, and non-violence—these are said to be austerity of the body.
Anudvega-karam vakyam satyam priya-hitam cha yat, svadhyayabhyasanam chaiva van-mayam tapa ucyate
Speech that does not cause distress, is truthful, pleasant, beneficial, and includes the regular recitation of scriptures—this is said to be austerity of speech.
Read slowly and contemplate. Don't rush through these verses. Pick one that resonates and sit with it for a few minutes.
Return regularly. Ancient wisdom reveals itself gradually. Come back to these verses when you need them.
Apply to your situation. Consider how each teaching relates specifically to what you're experiencing right now.
Share what helps. If a verse brings you peace or clarity, share it with others who might need it.