Chapter-6
Atma Sanyam Yoga
आत्म संयम योग
6. Atma Sanyam Yoga
Being self disciplined and self regulated in terms of food, thoughts & conduct is of great value. Meditating in silence and converting all your griefs into relief is divinity of sixth chapter..
(yoga of self-discipline)
Between renunciation of action and yoga of action, out of the two the latter has been found to be superior in the fifth chapter. Action is natural, and action has to be performed; one cannot remain without performing action, because seeing, hearing, speaking, smelling, inhaling and exhaling, closing and opening of eyes are also actions. All of them are a part of the journey of the body. In the first section consisting of six chapters, the predominance is of yoga of action. Become a man of yoga of action, for this is the essential discipline of the senses, control of the mind and awakening of intellectual discernment.
If intellect is indecisive, the mind will be uncontrolled and the senses will be unrestrained; then action can never become yoga. For this reason the sixth chapter has been termed Yoga of self-discipline. In the concluding verses of the fifth chapter, at places indicatively, the description of yoga of meditation has also been given. The combination of action and meditation while improving the action also beautifies life. The sixth chapter is also a powerful inspiration for the yoga of meditation.
Moving step by step, in a simple manner, taking firm steps to move towards the destination is the Gita's extraordinary way to motivate. For this reason the commencement of this chapter is with the discussion of the necessity of yoga of action along with its utility and its superiority.
