asaṅyatātmanā yogo duṣhprāpa iti me matiḥ
vaśhyātmanā tu yatatā śhakyo ’vāptum upāyataḥ
asanyata-ātmanā — one whose mind is unbridled;
yogaḥ — Yog;
duṣhprāpaḥ — difficult to attain;
iti — thus;
me — my;
matiḥ — opinion;
vaśhya-ātmanā — by one whose mind is controlled;
tu — but;
yatatā — one who strives;
śhakyaḥ — possible;
avāptum — to achieve;
upāyataḥ — by right means
In this verse, Lord Krishna is sharing a very important lesson about the mind and how it affects our ability to achieve our goals, especially in becoming more self-aware and spiritually enlightened. He points out two types of people: those who have control over their minds and those who don’t.
First, let’s talk about what it means to have an 'unbridled mind.' This is someone whose thoughts and feelings are all over the place. Imagine trying to ride a wild horse that keeps galloping off in different directions. It becomes very hard to go anywhere or do anything meaningful. Similarly, when your mind isn’t under control, you’ll struggle to focus on tasks that can help you grow spiritually or understand yourself better. This unregulated thinking makes it challenging to reach your goals, like trying to reach a destination while being distracted by everything around you.
Now, think about a person who has a 'controlled mind.' This means they can focus, prioritize, and work steadily on their goals. Picture someone calmly rowing a boat in still waters—where every stroke takes them closer to their destination. This is what it means to have discipline and focus. According to Krishna, if you can control your mind and put in consistent effort, then success is not just possible; it’s guaranteed.
Moreover, Krishna emphasizes the importance of taking the right steps. This means that you can’t just go through the motions. You have to be meaningful in your practice. For example, if you're trying to meditate or practice yoga but keep thinking about your daily worries or pleasures, it won’t work. It’s like trying to start a fire while pouring water on it. To light the fire, you need to keep the water away. In the same way, if you want to be successful in yoga or any self-improvement practice, you need to detach your mind from things that pull you away from your goal—like material desires and distractions.
Krishna also highlights the role of ‘Krsna consciousness’ or being aware of God in your life. He suggests that connecting with a higher purpose or feeling part of something greater helps in controlling the mind. When someone is focused on serving and loving God, their mind naturally becomes calmer and more disciplined. This approach makes it easier to succeed in spiritual practices, as you’re being guided and motivated by that higher connection.
In summary, to achieve success in knowing yourself and finding peace, control your mind and be mindful of what you desire. But for extra assurance, engage in practices that connect you to a higher purpose, like loving service to God. This spiritual focus not only helps in controlling the mind but also enriches your entire life journey.