Yoga

United with pure reason, one lets go of both good and bad actions. Therefore, embrace yoga, for yoga is skill in action.

The yogi who, having attained unity, worships me dwelling in all beings, remains in me, regardless of his way of life.

Yes, spiritual discipline is necessary.

By the grace of Vyasa I heard this supreme secret, this yoga, directly from Krishna, the Lord of yoga, speaking it Himself.

That very same ancient yoga has now been declared to you by Me today, for you are My devotee and My friend — this indeed is the supreme secret.

The Blessed Lord said: I proclaimed this imperishable yoga to Vivasvan; Vivasvan taught it to Manu; Manu declared it to Ikshvaku.

The Blessed Lord said: O sinless one, I have explained two paths of dedication in this world from the beginning — the path of knowledge for the contemplative Samkhyas, and the path of action for the Yogins.

The Blessed Lord said: Those who, fixing their minds on me, worship me, ever steadfast and endowed with the highest faith — I regard these as the most perfectly yoked in yoga.

Thus received in succession, the royal sages knew this yoga. But through the long passage of time, O scorcher of foes, this yoga was lost in this world.

Perform your actions while abiding in yoga, O Dhananjaya, having relinquished all attachment. Be equal in success and failure — this equanimity itself is called yoga.

When the five senses are stilled together with the mind, and the intellect does not stir — that, they say, is the highest state.

That steadfastness by which one upholds the activities of the mind, the life-force, and the senses through unswerving yoga practice — that steadfastness, O Partha, is sattvic.

Some perceive the Self within themselves through meditation; others through the yoga of knowledge; yet others through the yoga of action.

The Blessed Lord said: O Partha, with mind attached to Me, practicing yoga while taking refuge in Me — hear how you shall know Me wholly and without doubt.

And among all yogis, the one who, with inner being immersed in Me, worships Me with faith — that one I regard as the most completely united with Me.

The yogi is held greater than the ascetics, greater even than the learned, greater than those who perform ritual acts. Therefore, O Arjuna, be a yogi.

One who sees everywhere the same — whether in joy or in suffering — by likening others to oneself, O Arjuna, that yogi is held to be the highest.

As a lamp placed in a windless spot does not flicker — that is the remembered image of the yogi with a controlled mind who is engaged in the practice of the yoga of the self.

Therefore, with the sword of your own knowledge, cut away this doubt born of ignorance that lodges in your heart — rise up and take your stand in yoga, O Bharata.

There is nothing in this world as purifying as knowledge. One who is perfected through yoga finds that knowledge within oneself in the fullness of time.