CHAPTER 6 : Short Answer Questions

1. What are the eight practices of ashtanga yoga? (6.3-4)

There are 8 stages of ashtanga yoga

Yama Don’t /prohibitions/ regulations
Niyama Do’s / injunctions /rules
Asana Bodily exercises

Pranayama Breathing exercises

Pratyahara Withdrawing the senses from sense objects

Dharana Fixing the mind on the Lord’s form
Dhyana Intensified meditation on the Lord
Samadhi Complete absorption/ trance

2. Discuss How Text 6.9 inspires you to cultivate friendly Vaishnava

dealings.

Personal response. Pls attempt on yr own

Reference : Bg 6.9
Suhṛn-mitrāry-udāsīna- madhyastha-dveṣya-bandhuṣu
sādhuṣv api ca pāpeṣu sama-buddhir viśiṣyate

3. Explain the significance of the story of the sparrow. (6.24)

● In yoga, one should have determination like the bird who attempted to
dry up the ocean which stole her eggs. Inspired by Nārada,
eventually Garuḍa, the Supreme Lord’s eagle carrier came to help
the bird. Being afraid of Garuḍa, the ocean returned the eggs.
● The sparrow is like the jivatma, trying to retrieve the eggs, our lost
love for Krishna.
● Garuda is compared to the Guru in Parampara or Krishna himself
who, seeing our determination to progress in our ultimate goal by
chanting the holy names bead by bead, come to our rescue.
 ● Even though our task at hand seems like an impossible one, by their
mercy and power, we can receive help to achieve our goal if we
practice with determination and faith.

4. How is the mind both friend and enemy? What is the success
formula in yoga? (6.5-6 & 6.26)

● One must deliver himself (soul) by the mind and shouldn’t degrade
himself by distracted senses.
● The controlled mind is the best friend of the soul and the uncontrolled
mind is the greatest enemy.
● Our mind is our friend or enemy by the kind of association and
training we offer it.
● When the mind is controlled with real Yoga practice it leads to
complete surrender and following of the dictates of Paramatma in the
heart.
● The life and missions of one who cannot control his mind are spoiled.
He will serve the dictations of lust, anger, avarice,illusion etc
● The success formula in yoga : From wherever the mind wanders
(niścalati) due to its flickering (cañcalam) and unsteady (asthiram)
nature due to passion or past attachments. One must withdraw the
mind and bring it back under the control of the Self.
● The senses should be given higher engagement ie. in the service of
Hṛṣīkeśa. This will purify the senses and thus bring them under full
control.

5. Explain the analogy of the acute infection which may surpass the
efficacy of medicine. (6.34)

An acute infection may surpass the efficacy of medicine.

Mind : Acute infection
Medicine : Intelligence/Bhakti
Although intelligence is supposed to direct the mind, the obstinate mind
often overcomes even the intelligence as it is attached to enjoyment. For
the medicine of bhakti to work on the ill mind , we must reject the
unfavourable sense inputs and give the mind favourable inputs.

6. Why did Arjuna say that ashtanga yoga is impractical and what did
Krishna suggest? (33-36)
 ● The Mind is restless (cañcalaṁ), turbulent (pramāthi),strong
(bala-vat) and obstinate (dṛḍham).
● It is more powerful than the wind.It has the power to overpower the
intellect ie. our power of discrimination and detachment.
● Ashtanga yoga requires one to retire to a secluded place to do
meditation. Arjuna was a warrior and had certain responsibilities
towards his family. Arjuna felt that he could control the wind by his
weapons but not the mind since it was flickering and unsteady so he
rejected Ashtanga yoga
● Lord Krsna accepts that controlling the restless mind is indeed a
difficult task, but he advises Arjuna that it is possible with practice
(abhyāsena) and detachment (vairāgyeṇa). Practising the
favourable repeatedly and detaching from the unfavourable.
● By detaching the mind from activities not devoted to the Lord, one
can very easily learn vairāgya. Vairāgya means detachment from
matter and engagement of the mind in spirit.
● Hearing of the transcendental activities of Lord Kṛṣṇa is therefore
expert treatment for the mad mind, and eating the foodstuff offered to
Kṛṣṇa is the appropriate diet for the suffering patient.

7. What is the destination of an unsuccessful Yogi? (6.40-45)

The Unsuccessful yogis who falls after a short period of practice goes to
the higher planets, where pious living entities are allowed to enter and
enjoy prolonged life there. Then one is sent back again to this planet, to
take birth in the family of a righteous brahmana.

One who is unsuccessful in attaining spiritual realisation after practising for

a long time, gets birth in a family of transcendentalists. He receives a
spiritual impetus very early in life, he gets trained in devotional service from
the very beginning. In this case, there is no wastage of time.

8. Who is the topmost Yogi. (6.46-47)

One who constantly thinks about Krishna in his contemplation, has ultimate
faith in Krishna as his protector, and he renders loving service unto Krishna
is the best of all yogis.

Long Answer Questions

1. Present a summary of Bhagavad-Gita Chapter 6, identifying main

philosophical concepts and sections of verses, and how they
connect. (PBSDT)

In the first five chapters, Krsna has explained buddhi-yoga, working with
one's consciousness fixed on Him and without fruitive desires. The Lord
has also explained sankhya, karma-yoga, and jnana-yoga as processes to
obtain liberation and as stepping stones to Krsna consciousness.

PRE REQUISITES OF ASHTANGA YOGA (1–9)

YOGA-RURUKSHU AND YOGARUDHA PRACTICE
At the end of chapter 5 and continuing into chapter 6, Krsna explained
dhyäna-yoga, concluding that He is the goal of meditation.
Even in ashtanga-yoga, karma-yoga is necessary in the beginning stages.
When one becomes accomplished in the practice of meditation, he ceases
all disturbing mental activities and comes to the stage of yogarudha.

BASIC PRACTICES OF ASHTANGA YOGA AND SAMADHI (10–27)

By practising yoga with determination, controlling the mind, and fixing the
mind on Supersoul, one attains the stage of perfection, called samadhi,
wherein one enjoys unlimited transcendental pleasure.

SUPERSOUL REALISATION OF KRSNA - PERFECTION OF YOGA

(28–32)
After describing the yoga practice of fixing the mind on the self, Krsna
explains the realisation of the yogi.
Prabhupäda explains: “A Krsna conscious yogi is the perfect seer because
he sees Krsna situated in everyone's heart as Supersoul.
He sees Krsna everywhere and everything in Krsna. Thus he sees all living
entities equally.”
DOUBTS OF ASHTANGA YOGA AND DESTINATION OF
UNSUCCESSFUL YOGI (33 TO 45)
ASHTANGA-YOGA REJECTED BY ARJUNA (33-36)
Arjuna rejects the ashtanga-yoga system as impractical because his mind
appears uncontrollable.
Krsna assures Arjuna that it is possible to control the mind by constant
practice and detachment.
DESTINATION OF THE UNSUCCESSFUL YOGI (37–45)
Arjuna asks about the destination of the unsuccessful yogi, but Krsna
assures him that the yogi's next birth will be auspicious, giving him another
chance for self-realisation. He gives the two possibilities : for fall down after
short practice -heavenly planets and then birth in a righteous / wealthy
family and after long practice , rebirth in the family of a wise yogi

THE TOPMOST YOGI (46–47)

Krsna concludes His description of ashtanga-yoga by comparing yogis to
karmis, jnanis, and tapasvis. The yogi is superior to all, and the best yogi is
the bhakta who always thinks of Krsna worshipping Him with full faith.

2. Describe the characteristics of mind and the art of mind

control based on Chapter 6.

The characteristics of mind are :

Chanchala : Restless. The mind is continuously flickering.This leads to
going astray, one loses the purpose that one is trying to achieve.
One ends up wasting time.
Pramathi : Turbulent. Mind is prone for craving the trivial – tuchcha aasakti.
Ascribing value to trivialities and pursuing them with great attention.
Balavath : Strong Mind has tremendous power to push us to do something
it wills. To hold on to things or to run after things. Manasa vegam – urges of
the mind.
Drudham – Obstinate. Rebellious. The mind often makes us do things that
we know we should not as if by force.

Fickle mind’s strength: Although the discriminating intelligence is

supposed to direct the mind, the obstinate mind attached to enjoyment,
often overcomes the intellect.
Yoga practice without controlling mind from material enjoyment is a waste
of time, like trying to ignite a fire while pouring water on it. The yogīs who
control their minds and give up their propensities for material enjoyment,
perfect their yoga and finally attain liberation.
Art of mind control:
Lord Krsna accepts that controlling the restless mind is indeed difficult task,
but he advises Arjuna that it is possible with practice (Abhyasena) and
detachment.(Vairagyena)
Abhyasena refers to continuous practice of that which is favourable.
Practice to bring the mind back when it wanders.
Vairagya means detachment from matter and engagement of the mind in
spirit.
When one practices sense control the external input for the senses reduces
and then the intellect can internally control the mind. This leads to
detachment from sense objects which leads to control of the mind.