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Bhagavad Gita Study Group
This group is for the study, discussions etc of the Bhagavad Gita
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Relevance of control / balance in Bhakti
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Relevance of control / balance in Bhakti
Namaste Swamiji, in the interest of time could not ask this question during class now. Today’s class invoked a question in me.
The notes of second shloka of Bhakti yoga (12.02) refers us also to sixth chapter’s last shloka (6.47), Aatmasayyama yoga. That shloka also refers to ‘shraddha’ and raises a point on who is a parama shreshtha yogi when sayyama is being talked about. My question is – how relevant is aatmasayyama when we consider devotion?
I would naturally associate the ‘let go’ feeling or ‘surrender’ when we talk of bhakti or as you referred to ‘giving the power of attorney’ from guru maharaj’s life. But I wonder if there needs a certain control of the senses even in bhakti?! what is actually meant by ‘aatmasayyama’? My assumption of the meaning of the word would be – an effort to control the senses or to keep it in check that lets us rest in the aatma. Would like to understand your interpretation kindly.
Pranams,
Prashanth
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2 Replies
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I am guessing that Prashanth meant Atma-Samyama Yoga which includes the Dharana-Dhyana-Samadhi, the last 3 practices of the 8 pillars of Astanga Yoga. The effort to control the senses is Pratyahara which is the 4th practice.
I think for devotion or bhakti, unconditional faith is essential and with effort comes surrender/control of the senses (pratyahara) and the mind which means giving away the power of attorney to the paramatman.
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Thank you very much for the response, Chetan. Yes, you are right – I wanted to understand the co-relation of ‘Aatma Samyama’ to Bhakti which is loosely thought of letting go of one’s control.
Swamiji addressed this in today’s class and I really liked his response and will ponder more – Freedom of the senses, freedom from the senses.
And apologies for any confusion with spelling. Spelling of Samyama was based on pronunciation according to Praachya Shaakha, the way I have learnt from my Vedic gurus.
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