Six meditation techniques directly from Yoga Sutras - for beginners

Saturday, March 5, 2022

Six attributes of sthitha prajna from Bhagavat Gita chapter 2


*Who is sthitha prajna?*

The one whose mind is free from volatility is "sthitha prajna".

In Bhagavad Gita chapter 2, Arjuna asks Krishna - what are the attributes of such sthitha prajna?

Krishna invariably provides many attributes, not only in this chapter but also across many other chapters.

Vedic Tribe is happy to bring you - six such attributes as identified by Krishna. We shall share the same during next six days.

This will help us in conducting introspection and understanding ourselves better.

This will pave the way for us to develop mental & spiritual well-being.

All the best!

Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe

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*The one who is free from attachment, fear and anger - is sthitha prajna*

Can we live without attachment, fear and anger?

As long as the mind is active, it will keep fluctuating and we experience attachment, fear, anger ...etc.

Only at the final stage of yogic practices (samadhi), the mind dissolves and there are no more attachments etc.

So, what should we do until we reach such a final stage?

We just need to observe the fluctuations of the mind by standing away from it. Even though it generates attachments etc, we can choose - whether to act upon it or not.

If we learn this art of observation, though the mind is fluctuating, we are free from attachment, fear, anger...etc.

Krishna says, the one who is free from attachment, fear and anger is "sthitha prajna".


Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe

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*The one who neither adores good fortune nor hates misfortune - is sthitha prajna*

Can we develop a neutral view towards good fortune & misfortune?
 
Yes. But it is both difficult & unpopular

It is difficult because we love ourselves too much and it is unpopular because some use it as an excuse for their inaction

Our selfishness does not let us develop a neutral view towards worldly phenomena. This is one side

On the other hand, it is already misused by so many people as a disguise to hide their inaction

But we can rise above these two and develop selflessness & also active participation in the world and yet hold a neutral view towards good fortune & misfortune

Krishna says, the one who neither adores good fortune nor hates misfortune is "sthitha prajna"

Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe

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*What is considered “night” by all beings - is considered “day” by a spartan!*

What do sthitha prajna observe?
 
A normal person's view of truth is usually blurred by the fluctuations of mind. Seldom - a normal person observes truth in its purest form.

But once senses are in control and mind's fluctuations are removed, the sthitha prajna starts observing truth in its purest form. Because his view is not blurred by mind; instead the mind has become so transparent that he can see through every worldly phenomenon. Krishna metaphorically calls it "day" for him and "night" for everyone else 

Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe

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*What is considered “day” by all beings - is considered “night” by that sage!*

Whether sthitha prajna escapes the worldly bondage?
 
Not necessarily.

Even though sthitha prajna actively participates in the world, the worldly phenomenon does not affect him anymore. Because he is seeing through all the phenomena and is observing the ultimate truth.  

On the other hand, everyone else is still affected by worldly phenomena. Krishna metaphorically calls it "night" for sthitha prajna and "day" for everyone else.

This ends our short series on "six attributes of sthitha prajna" and we hope it inspires you to study Bhagavad Gita and walk it's parth. All the best!!

Madhwesh K
Vedic Tribe


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