Gita 6.36 – To conquer the mind, use existing mind control in chanting

Thank you asanyatatmana yogo dushparapiti me mati vasyatmana tuyatata cakyo vaptu upayata so asanyatatmana yogi that when one does not have control over the mind dushparapiti me mati dushparap, it is difficult to obtain what is difficult to obtain, this is Bhagavad Gita 6.36 yoga yoga is connection with the absolute truth is difficult to attain for those who do not control the mind but vasyatmana tuyatata but if one controls the mind and endeavours cakyo vaptu upayata it is possible cakyo vaptu to obtain upayata if one adopts a right upay so prior to this in 6.33 and 34 Krishna has told Arjuna that the mind is so restless that I cannot possibly practice the samyam the equanimity that has been talked about in ashtama yoga and in the previous verse Krishna says keep endeavouring to control the mind it is very difficult I know but keep endeavouring and in this verse Krishna reiterated that one has to control the mind if one wants to achieve yoga so now we also want to achieve yoga the connection with the supreme lord we want a devotion connection with him and for that also we need to control the mind so now it is the paradox that chanting is meant to control the mind and yet chanting requires a controlled mind so where do we begin we say because the mind is troubled so we should chant but then we also say that we also know from our experience that the mind is the greatest obstacle to chanting so what do we do actually yes the mind is an obstacle but then the mind is an obstacle in everything even when you want to study the mind is an obstacle even if you have to do a job even in the job the mind will be an obstacle so that the mind is an obstacle we should take it as a granted fact for everything in life but other activities other than chanting don't threaten the mind so much because even if we fight and control the mind that particular activity say a student studying or a person working on a job that does not actually lead to purification and that's why the mind which is filled with impurities doesn't feel threatened by those activities generally and so it doesn't distract us disproportionately some distraction some expression of determination and then we settle down into our routine whatever work we are doing but when it comes to chanting chanting directly threatens us because if we can absorb ourselves in the holy name and the holy name will purify us and then we will no longer remain enslaved by the mind and the material impressions in it therefore the mind rebels most voraciously when we try to chant because our chanting, our devotion threatens to remove its control over us so therefore yes we chant to control the mind and yet the mind becomes most uncontrolled when we chant but despite this with whatever little control we have presently on the mind we try to keep it focused on Krishna and we know that by keeping it focused on Krishna we are getting purified by that contact and further as we keep chanting not only do we become purified but actually we become spiritually illumined where we can start perceiving the soul and we can start perceiving Krishna also gradually so in this way by steady determined practice the best practice of course is the chanting of the holy names and that is also the best, among the best which is devotional service among the various parts of yoga so shakhyo bapta upaya taha what Krishna said earlier that upaya is the process of bhakti yoga and our absorption that process is Krishna so when we learn that the mind whatever leeway it gives to us may not give us much leeway just like not much air can go inside say iron tank or something like that where a person is trapped but every little drop of air every little part of air that is going over there that is sustaining the breath and the life of a person trapped inside that iron trap or iron container or whatever and every breath that goes in not only prolongs life but gives energy to somehow sound the alarm and come out of that horror film and see that you are safe and home so like that when we chant we are actually because the mind is as if trapped us in a almost spirit proof iron box wherein spiritual reality can't be perceived from that place but still if we chant the holy name that is our spiritual sustenance and that gives us energy to push open the trap door by which we can start perceiving more and more spiritual reality till we ultimately perceive Krishna in his full reality and beauty and that vision is so charming that it makes all worldly charms look as pathetic as they actually are so if we just remember that with whatever little control over the mind I have whenever I have it I try to concentrate on the holy name and by that the mind will taste Krishna I will taste Krishna and the mind will become less wild and I will be able to taste more and more Krishna till the mind becomes purified and joins me in tasting and relishing Krishna and then spiritual success, eternal life and love will be ours.