yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ ekākī yata-cittātmā nirāśīr aparigrahaḥ
"The yogi should constantly practice meditation, dwelling in solitude, alone, with mind and body controlled, free from desires and possessiveness."
What This Means:
Krishna begins practical instructions: Find a quiet place, be alone, control your mind and body, let go of desires and the need to possess. This is the setup for meditation.
Going Deeper:
Each element matters: 'satatam' (constantly) emphasizes regularity; 'rahasi' (in solitude) removes distractions; 'ekaki' (alone) emphasizes the inner journey; 'yata-cittatma' (controlled mind-self) is the practice; 'nirashi apargraha' (desireless, non-possessive) is the mental attitude.
How To Apply This:
Create conditions for practice: a regular time, a quiet space, solitude. Come without agenda or desire for specific experiences. Just be present, without grasping for results or possessing spiritual achievements.
Key Sanskrit Terms: