Chapter6 Shloka13,14 - Shrimad Bhagvad Gita

Shrimad Bhagvad Gita

Chapter 6 : Raj Yoga or Dhyana Yoga - Yoga of Meditation

Ch 06 : Sh 13-14

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः ।
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्‌ ॥
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः ।
मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥

Transliteration

samaṃ kāya-śiro-grīvaṃ dhārayann-acalaṃ sthiraḥ |
saṃprekṣya nāsikāgraṃ svaṃ diśaś-cānavalokayan || 13 ||
praśāntātmā vigata-bhīr-brahmacāri vrate sthitaḥ |
manaḥ saṃyamya mac-citto yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ || 14 ||

Translation

Holding the trunk, head, and neck erect, motionless and steady, focusing [the attention] at the tip of the nose, and without looking around; Serene and fearless, firm in the vow of celibacy(Brahmacharya), holding the mind in check and fixing the thoughts on Me, one should sit in meditation, holding Me to be Supreme.

Purport

These two Shlokas describe the practical method to practice Dhyan Yoga(Meditation). For the effective practice of Dhyan Yoga. following methods should be followed:

1. Body Posture:

While sitting in the position of meditation, the body should be straight(erect) and in the same line with neck and head. There should not be any movement in the body, neck or eyes.

2. Focusing eyes:
The focus should be on the tip of the nose. This is interesting to note here that Shlokas states not to look around, and then in next words, they say the focus should be on the tip of the nose, means Shloka describe the process just before the start of the meditation because for meditation one has to close his eyes and concentrate on Agya Chakra(between two eyes, Ch5.Sh#28). To start the meditation one should first learn to fix his eyes and for that, he should start with looking at the tip of the nose.

3. Celibacy(Brahmacharya):
Brahmacharya is the term used to renounce all sexual desires, lust and physical luxury. Brahmacharya is also signified self-control and discipline. To attain expertise in yoga one should renounce physical attractions and follow a strict discipline.

3. The devotion:
One of the most factors to attain expertise in yoga is devotion. The highest state of yoga is nothing but the realization of Brahman the eternal universe life energy emanating from Bhagvan Shri Krishna. He is the ultimate power behind all yogic powers. Hence one who wants to achieve the highest state of yoga must have devotion to Shri Krishna. Even little devotion work as wonders for those who are looking for serious meditation.