jitātmanaḥ praśhāntasya paramātmā samāhitaḥ
śhītoṣhṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣhu tathā mānāpamānayoḥ
jita-ātmanaḥ — one who has conquered one’s mind;
praśhāntasya — of the peaceful;
parama-ātmā — God;
samāhitaḥ — steadfast;
śhīta — in cold;
uṣhṇa — heat;
sukha — happiness;
duḥkheṣhu — and distress;
tathā — also;
māna — in honor;
apamānayoḥ — and dishonor
This verse highlights the importance of controlling one's mind and emotions. It tells us that when someone manages to keep their mind in check, they reach a deeper connection with the Supreme God within themselves, often referred to as the Supersoul.
Imagine your mind as a kite; if there’s a strong wind, it can easily drift off course. Likewise, an uncontrolled mind can lead us to become distracted and caught up in everyday worries and frustrations. This verse encourages us to focus and gain control over these distractions. By doing so, we can achieve peace of mind, a state where we are not easily shaken by what happens around us.
When someone has mastered their mind, they find that things like joy and sorrow, heat and cold, and moments of honor or disgrace do not disturb their inner balance. For example, if you get good news, you feel happy. But if you face hardship or bad weather, you might initially feel upset. However, a person who has controlled their mind will experience these ups and downs with a sense of calmness. They understand that such feelings are temporary and do not define their true self or happiness.
This level of control allows them to deal with life more effectively, just like someone who is steady in a boat on a choppy sea. They do not get tossed around by the waves of life but instead remain steady, knowing that challenges and joys are part of our experience.
The verse explains that this peaceful state comes from aligning with a higher purpose or guidance, which is the Supersoul. Following the Supersoul means staying connected to our inner wisdom and values instead of getting lost in the chaos of external experiences. This connection offers clarity, helping individuals navigate through life's dualities without being overly affected by them.
Ultimately, achieving such a state is described as being deeply absorbed in the Supreme, representing a level of spiritual understanding where one feels a sense of oneness with everything around them. In day-to-day life, this could mean seeing a friend or a rival with the same eye, recognizing that everyone experiences ups and downs. This understanding helps us to maintain a calm and composed demeanor, no matter what circumstances arise.