yatendriya-mano-buddhir munir mokṣa-parāyaṇaḥ vigatecchā-bhaya-krodho yaḥ sadā mukta eva saḥ
yata — controlled;
indriya — senses;
manaḥ — mind;
buddhiḥ — intelligence;
muniḥ — the transcendentalist;
mokṣa — liberation;
parāyaṇaḥ — being so destined;
vigata — discarded;
icchā — wishes;
bhaya — fear;
krodhaḥ — anger;
yaḥ — one who;
sadā — always;
muktaḥ — liberated;
eva — certainly;
saḥ — he is
In this verse from the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna is explaining a key idea of yoga and how to reach true freedom, or liberation. Let's break it down in simple terms.
First, Krishna speaks about controlling the senses, mind, and intelligence. Think of your senses as the tools you use to interact with the world, like seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling. Your mind is what thinks and feels, and your intelligence helps you make decisions. For many people, these parts can sometimes feel like they lead you in different directions, and you may act based on your immediate desires or frustrations.
A sage, or wise person, has learned to control these aspects. This means they don’t get swept away by every emotion or impulse they feel. For example, if someone faces disappointment or anger, instead of reacting explosively or jumping at each little desire, they take a step back. They observe their feelings without letting them dictate their actions. This controlled approach allows them to stay calm, even when life gets tough.
Next, the verse highlights the importance of having liberation as the main goal. Liberation means breaking free from the usual burdens and sufferings of life. It’s about finding peace and happiness that isn’t tied to the ups and downs of material life. A sage understands that chasing after temporary pleasures or getting upset over things they can’t control does not lead to true happiness.
The verse further emphasizes being free from desire, fear, and anger. Desires are often what keep people feeling restless; they want things they don’t have, which can lead to unhappiness. Fear can hold someone back from trying new things or pursuing their dreams. Anger can cause conflicts or lead to regrettable actions. A sage uses practices like meditation and self-discipline to reduce these feelings. Instead of feeling driven by them, they choose a more peaceful, thoughtful response.
By mastering their feelings and thoughts, the sage is described as being "truly liberated forever." This means they have found a lasting happiness that isn't dependent on their external circumstances. They are not shaken by what happens around them because they have learned to look within.
So, essentially, Krishna is teaching us that true freedom comes from within. It’s about controlling how we respond to our surroundings and our inner feelings. When we can do this, we become more centered and at peace, making it easier to focus on what truly matters, whether that’s serving others, connecting with something greater, or simply enjoying life.
In practical terms, this might involve daily practices like meditation, yoga, or any activities that help one gain better control over their thoughts and feelings. The goal is to create a life where outer events do not disturb inner peace, which is a crucial step on the path to spiritual enlightenment.