Word meanings
- dhṛtyā
- by determining
- yayā
- which
- dhārayate
- sustains
- manaḥ
- of the mind
- prāṇa
- life-airs
- indriya
- senses
- kriyāḥ
- activities
- yogena
- through Yog
- avyabhicāriṇyā
- with steadfastness
- dhṛtiḥ
- determination
- sā
- that
- pārtha
- Arjun, the son of Pritha
- sāttvikī
- in the mode of goodness
Translations
The unwavering firmness, through which Yoga restrains the functions of the mind, life-force, and senses—that firmness, O Arjuna, is Sattvic (pure).
The conviction and steady concentration with which the mind, the energy, and the senses are controlled—O Arjuna!—are the result of purity.
O Partha, the firmness that is unfailing through concentration, with which one restrains the functions of the mind, vital forces, and the organs—that firmness is born of sattva.
हे पार्थ ! समतासे युक्त जिस अव्यभिचारिणी धृतिके द्वारा मनुष्य मन, प्राण और इन्द्रियोंकी क्रियाओंको धारण करता है, वह धृति सात्त्विकी है।Commentary
When firmness is awakened in the mind, the activities of the mind, the lifeforce and the senses are brought under control. The senses are withdrawn into the mind. The Prana and the Apana pass into the Sushumna Nadi. Yoga Samadhi or concentration of the mind. You cannot restrain the mind, the lifeforce and the senses by mere firmness. You can control them only by firmness which is ever accompanied by concentration of the mind. When the mind, the lifeforce and the senses are curbed by unwarvering firmness, they cannot run towards external sensual objects, they cannot do any mischief, they cannot move in ways which are opposed to the scriptures, they will be absorbed into their respective causes and their outgoing tendencies will be totally checked.
This firmness is not repression or suppression, but an intelligent sublimation and inner transformation.