Discipline — Lesson 4

Verses

Transliteration

rāga-dveṣa-viyuktais tu viṣayān indriyaiś caran
ātma-vaśyair vidheyātmā prasādam adhigacchati

prasāde sarva-duḥkhānāṁ hānir asyopajāyate
prasanna-cetaso hy āśu buddhiḥ paryavatiṣṭhate

Meaning

Moving among objects with senses free from likes and dislikes, and under control, one gains inner calm. In that calmness, all sorrow reduces, and the mind becomes clear and steady.

Key Words

• rāga — attraction
• dveṣa — aversion
• ātma-vaśya — self-controlled
• prasāda — inner calm, clarity
• prasanna-cetasaḥ — clear, peaceful mind
• buddhiḥ — intellect

Teaching

Krishna now refines discipline. Discipline is not withdrawal from life. It is balanced engagement. The senses continue to interact with the world, but without strong likes and dislikes. When attraction and aversion reduce, the mind becomes lighter. That lightness becomes inner calm. From that calmness, clarity naturally arises.

Connection to Discipline

Discipline is not rigid control. It is intelligent balance. When I am free from compulsive likes and dislikes, I can engage fully, yet remain steady. This steadiness is what supports clarity.

Reflection

What are my strongest likes and dislikes? How do they disturb my mind? What would balanced engagement look like for me?