“A man is once established in self-realization and he is called a Yogi or mystic when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization, such a man is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. For him it is identical in whether he perceives a pebble, a stone, or gold.”

Context of the Verse:

            This verse is from Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga (The Yoga of Meditation) and in this chapter, Lord Krishna explains about the characteristics of a true Yogi or one who is established in Yoga. The description of the man who has to control the mind and the senses being referred here, the verse here describes a man who has to keep the mind and the senses well-regulated.

Key Teachings in This Verse:

• Self-satisfaction through knowledge: The Yogi is self-content and self-satisfied through Gyana (theoretical knowledge) and Vigyana (realized knowledge).
• Equanimity: The Yogi makes no distinction between earth, stone, or gold – symbols of the lack of attachment to material value.
• Control of senses: You need to have a strong control over the senses for practicing spiritual discipline.
• Steadfastness: The word Kutasthah denotes that which does not shake – a consciousness which does not shake even while experiencing change.
• Real Yoga: Such a person is indeed described as Yuktah (coordinated/ Yogi) – one who is fully harmonized, fully integrated.

Relevance to Arjuna:

• The warrior on the battlefield is bewildered and his mind is distraught.
• This verse provides him with a model of spiritual centre he should be aiming for.
• Krishna is saying – it is the self-realization and not the collections or those worldly accomplishments that would determine the success of a warrior, or the success of a Yogi.
• Shows Arjuna that real strength is in inner equipoise, not just outer valour.

Explanation:

            So Krishna is describing the advancement which takes place in the ascending path of Yoga.

            First of all, you have to control the mind. Because unless mind is controlled, there is no question of coming to the Gyana platform. This Gyana program can be executed by the mind. If you want to come to the Gyana platform, you have to come by the path of I. There is no understanding even of theoretical prosses knowledge. Control the mind as such we will be able to interpret logics. But only knowing logics theory is of no use unless its application is understood that is Vigyan. That is called realization.

            We know fire is hot, but to touch and to feel the warmth, that is what we call Vigyan, that is realization. So this simply repetition “I am not the body” is not who could understand, one who could understand that I’m not this body, which is known as Vigyan, to act upon the platform of the spirit soul.

            So here it is explained. A man becomes a perfect Yogi when he sees a stone, a lump of earth and gold on the same level. This is what is known as advanced Yoga. Currently we don’t give a shit about stones and pebbles and we hope gold is really expensive. But when we become a Yogi, a perfect Yogi these will be our constants.

            But why it’ll be same for us? For as in the case of a man whether he has been well fed at a banquet. Regardless of whether you give him something he likes or he doesn’t like, two things are on the same level. He doesn’t have any interest in eating because he’s full and satisfied.

            So, a Yogi is perfectly contended with having gained that theoretical knowledge and practical knowledge of Gyan and Vigyan i.e self-realization. So, when one is actually situated in spiritual knowledge that is complete satisfaction. Then he can command his senses.

            If you are satiated, you have had your fill, it is very easy to keep the tongue and the belly. You cannot take anymore. So, easy for such a Yogi to delight in “the controlling of the sensor”! It’s hard at first. There is a stage we have to come to that we become fully satisfied. Then a Yogi advances further. We will prescribe that level in the next Verse.