In Bhagavad Gita 12.8, Lord Krishna instructs Arjun:
“Mayy eva mana ādhatsva
Mayi buddhiṁ niveśhaya
Nivasis̄hyasi mayy eva
Ata ūrdhvam na sanśhayaḥ”
"Fix your mind on Me alone, rest your intellect in Me alone, and thereafter you shall reside in Me alone. There is no doubt about this."
The Bhagavad Gita is a timeless scripture that offers profound wisdom to seekers of truth. Among its many teachings, Shree Krishna provides a two-step guide for mastering the mind and attaining true spiritual elevation. Swami Mukundananda elaborates on this concept, emphasizing the necessity of surrendering both the mind and the intellect to God. Let us delve into these profound teachings and explore how we can transform our minds for the better.
Step 1: Offer Your Mind to God
Knowledge alone is not sufficient for transformation. Just as knowing the path to a destination does not equate to reaching it, mere intellectual understanding of spiritual concepts is not enough. Shree Krishna emphasizes to Arjun that he must actively surrender his mind.
What Does It Mean to Offer the Mind?
To offer the mind means to dedicate all our thoughts to God. Every thought should be imbued with divine consciousness and aligned with His pleasure. Yet, this fundamental aspect is often overlooked in spiritual practice. Many devotees engage in physical acts of devotion—visiting temples, performing rituals, and undertaking pilgrimages—but their minds remain distracted.
For instance, individuals walking hundreds of kilometres on religious pilgrimages may spend more time focusing on their physical discomfort than on God. Such devotion, while sincere in intention, lacks the crucial component of mental absorption.
Saint Kabir encapsulated this idea beautifully:
"You keep rotating the beads of the rosary, but your mind remains unchanged. Put down the rosary and rotate the beads of the mind instead."
The Power of the Mind in Spiritual Progress
The state of our mind determines our bondage or liberation. Physical acts of devotion alone will not bring us closer to God unless our minds are engaged. If physical bhakti (devotion) were sufficient, we would have achieved enlightenment long ago, given the countless times we have taken God's name over lifetimes.
A humorous yet insightful story illustrates this point:
A grandfather was performing his morning prayers while another elder came to visit. The visitor inquired about him, and the family responded that he was in the puja room. The guest chuckled and replied, "No, he is at the cobbler's shop, bargaining over the cost of stitching his shoes." This exchange highlights how we can be physically present in worship but mentally preoccupied elsewhere.
Shree Krishna, therefore, instructs us to offer our minds entirely to Him. Remarkably, this can be done without traveling to sacred places; we can mentally transport ourselves to Vrindavan and feel God’s presence wherever we are. The Manusmriti states:
"God resides within you. The moment you accept this truth, the need for external rituals diminishes."
Saint Ravidas, a renowned cobbler-saint, once remarked:
"If my mind is pure, then even a small pot of water becomes the sacred Ganga for me."
This underscores the idea that true spirituality is an internal journey rather than a physical one.
Step 2: Offer Your Intellect to God
Even more crucial than the mind is the intellect. The intellect governs our decisions and directs the course of our lives. If our intellect believes that material wealth brings happiness, we will dedicate ourselves to its pursuit. If it is convinced that power and prestige provide fulfillment, we will chase those instead. Conversely, if our intellect understands that true happiness lies in God, we will prioritize spiritual growth.
The Intellect’s Role in Controlling the Mind
People often say that their minds are uncontrollable. However, this is not entirely true. The intellect has the ability to regulate emotions and desires. For example, an employee who refrains from expressing anger toward their boss does so because his intellect warns them of the potential consequences, such as job loss. Yet, the same individual might unleash their frustration on family members at home. This shows that when the intellect is convinced of a course of action, it can effectively control the mind.
Similarly, millions of people worldwide engage in jobs they dislike simply because their intellect tells them it is necessary for survival. Their minds may resist, but they persist because their intellect has taken command. If we can apply the same principle to spiritual life—by convincing our intellect that God is the ultimate source of joy—our minds will naturally follow.
Shree Krishna instructs us to surrender our intellects to Him. In the material world, we often surrender our intellect to experts who have more knowledge than us. When faced with a legal issue, we follow the advice of a lawyer. If we have a medical condition, we rely on a doctor’s expertise. Even though we may not understand the intricacies of law or medicine, we trust their guidance because they have dedicated years to mastering their fields. Similarly, in spiritual life, we must surrender our intellect to God, trusting in His infinite wisdom.
Maharshi Patanjali identifies five afflictions (Panchaklesh) that cloud our intellect:
- Avidya (Ignorance): Misunderstanding the temporary as permanent.
- Asmita (Ego): Identifying with the body rather than the soul.
- Raga (Attachment): Clinging to desires that lead to suffering.
- Dvesh (Aversion): Harbouring negative emotions that disturb peace.
- Abhinivesh (Fear of Death): The deep-seated survival instinct that binds us to the material world.
Reversing the Intellect’s Illusions
Akroor, a great devotee of Shree Krishna, explains that our intellect has suffered a reversal in perspective. We perceive temporary material objects as eternal and prioritize them over spiritual growth. We see our physical bodies as our true selves, ignoring their transient nature. Moreover, we chase fleeting pleasures, oblivious to their inherent limitations.
For instance, no billionaire has ever taken their wealth beyond death. People often ask, "How much did he leave behind?" The answer is always, "Everything." Yet, we continue to live as if we can hold on to our material possessions forever.
By aligning our intellect with divine knowledge, we can correct these misconceptions. Surrendering our intellect to Shree Krishna means making decisions based on spiritual truth rather than worldly illusions. This ensures that our actions remain in harmony with higher wisdom.
Applying the Two Steps in Daily Life
- Consciously engage your mind in spiritual thoughts. Whether at work, at home, or in transit, keep your mind focused on God. Regularly chant, meditate, and reflect on divine teachings.
- Surrender your intellect to divine wisdom. Whenever faced with decisions, ask yourself whether your choice aligns with spiritual values. Study scriptures, listen to enlightened teachers, and apply their guidance.
Shree Krishna assures us that by following these two steps, we will dwell in His consciousness and experience true peace. This transformation is not reserved for sages and saints—it is within the reach of anyone willing to dedicate their mind and intellect to God.
Conclusion: Begin Your Journey Today
Mastering the mind and intellect is the key to spiritual elevation. As Swami Ji explains, physical acts of devotion alone are not enough; we must engage our inner faculties in divine service. Shree Krishna’s two-step guide offers a practical method for achieving mental clarity and spiritual fulfillment.
Are you ready to transform your mind? Take the first step today by immersing yourself in the teachings of Swami Ji.
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