Decoding Bhagavad Gita

Well, we did see how Krishna says we commit sin. Let's dig deeper as even Arjuna wanted to know. However, the factors are spread in different chapters. So, here they go.

SENSES and SENSE-OBJECTS:

Although all actions involve senses and we do many things to satisfy our senses, the fact remains that it needs to be controlled (and not eliminated).

"O son of Kunti, the contact between the senses and their objects, which give rise to the feelings of heat and cold, pleasure and pain, happiness and distress are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. One must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed." (Chap 2 -verse 14)

"He, however, who has true insight into the respective spheres of GUNAs and their actions, holding that it is the GUNAs (in the shape of senses, mind etc) that move among the GUNAs (objects of perception), does not get attached to them, Arjuna." (Chap 3 -verse 28)


"Those who are completely deluded by the GUNAs (modes) of Prakriti remain attached to those GUNAs and actions; the man of perfect Knowledge should not unsettle the mind of those insufficiently knowing fools." (Chap 3 -verse 29)



MIND:

Before we go to Gita, let's see an important verse from the AMRITA BINDU UPANISHAD (from Krishna Yajur Veda). Click here for the source

"For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation."

"One must deliver himself with the help of his mind, and not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well." (Chap 6 -verse 5)


"For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain his greatest enemy." (Chap 6 -verse 6)


ARJUNA actually says a very valid point - "Krishna, the mind is very unstable, unsteady, turbulent, tenacious and powerful; therefore, I consider it is as difficult to control as the wind." (Chap 6- verse 34)


In Katha Upanishad - it is written “Know that the Self is the rider, and the body the chariot; that the intellect is the charioteer, and the mind the reins.”

"Arjuna, the Vedas thus deal with the evolutes of the 3 Gunas i.e worldly enjoyments and the means of attaining such enjoyments and the means of attaining such enjoyments; be thou indifferent to these enjoyments and their means, rising above pairs of opposites like pleasure and pain etc, firmly established in the Eternal Existence, absolutely unconcerned about the supply of wants and the preservation of what has been already attained, and self-controlled."
(Chap 2 -verse 45)



WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO CONTROL THE ABOVE TWO?

"He who has not controlled his mind and senses can have no reason; nor can such an undisciplined man think of God. The unthinking man can have no peace; and how can there be happiness for one lacking peace of mind?" (Chap 2 -verse 66)

"Therefore, Arjuna, he, whose senses are completely controlled from their objects, is said to have stable mind." (Chap 2 -verse 68)

"For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul is reached, for he has attained tranquility. To such a man, happiness and sadness, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same." (Chap 6 -verse 7)


"Therefore, Arjuna, you must first control your senses, and then kill this evil thing called lust (when senses go beyond control) that obstructs Knowledge and Vijnana (self-realization)."
(Chap 3 -verse 41, 43)


"The mind is restless no doubt, Arjuna; but it can be brought under control by repeated practice (YOGA) and by the exercise of dispassion." (Chap 6 -verse 35)