sarva-karmāṇi manasā sannyasyāste sukhaṁ vaśhī
nava-dvāre pure dehī naiva kurvan na kārayan
sarva — all;
karmāṇi — activities;
manasā — by the mind;
sannyasya — having renounced;
āste — remains;
sukham — happily;
vaśhī — the self-controlled;
nava-dvāre — of nine gates;
pure — in the city;
dehī — the embodied being;
na — never;
eva — certainly;
kurvan — doing anything;
na — not;
kārayan — causing to be done
In this verse from the Bhagavad Gita, we are told about the state of a person who is in full control of themselves and their thoughts. The 'nine gates' refer to the openings on our body: two eyes, two ears, two nostrils, one mouth, and the two lower openings. These are ways through which we interact with the world around us.
Now, when we talk about controlling nature, it means that a person can decide how to react to the things happening around them. For instance, they can choose not to get angry even when someone annoys them, or they can decide to stay calm instead of getting upset over small issues. This control brings internal peace and happiness.
Mentally renouncing actions means that instead of being swept away by every urge or desire—like the urge to react, to complain, or to always be busy with activities—this person has learned to find peace in simply being. They recognize that many of the activities that occupy our daily lives are not necessary for true happiness.
For example, think about how often we complain about work or our daily responsibilities. This verse speaks to a deeper understanding where someone realizes that true joy doesn't come from these external actions, but from within. They learn to be happier without needing to constantly do things or keep busy. Instead of feeling trapped by the pressures of work or social demands, they let go of the need to be involved in everything and find a sense of freedom.
Those who achieve this state remain untouched by the constant hustle and bustle of the world. They live life in a way where they are not heavily influenced by their desires or by the expectations of others. This leads to a feeling of liberation, allowing them to enjoy life without being tied down by bodily activities.
Finally, embracing this path of self-control and mental detachment can help a person reconnect with their true self, which allows them to rise above the mundane struggles of life. They can live amongst people and in the material world but do so from a place of detachment and freedom. This inner peace is what is suggested as the true happiness one can find within. In essence, the verse encourages us to look beyond just actions and to seek happiness from a place of self-awareness and control.