Chapter 6 Shloka 4

यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते।

सर्वसंकल्पसंन्यासी योगारुढस्तदोच्यते।।४।।

When he ceases to have any attachment

with sense objects or with actions,

then that sanyasi who is devoid of all thoughts

can be said to be established in Yoga.

Chapter 6 Shloka 4

यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते।

सर्वसंकल्पसंन्यासी योगारुढस्तदोच्यते।।४।।

Now the Lord elucidates the attributes of a Yogi:

When he ceases to have any attachment with sense objects or with actions, then that sanyasi who is devoid of all thoughts can be said to be established in Yoga.

Little one, first understand the connotation of Anushajjatay (अनुषज्जते)

a) Attachment;

b) an unconscious desire;

c) that which remains in the mind;

d) latent tendencies;

e) a methodology lying latent;

f) to remember an object even after physically discarding it;

g) to remember habitually.

When even the latent and unconscious memory or desire fades away, the individual can be said to be established in yoga. Such a one is called a ‘Sarva Sankalp Sanyasi’ (सर्व संकल्प संन्यासी)

Now understand ‘Sankalp’ (संकल्प)

1. Sankalp is the power of desire.

2. It is the faculty of thought and cogitation.

3. Mental conceptualisation of one’s plans and resolutions.

4. Thought and cogitation for the fulfilment of any specific aspiration.

5. The origin or root of all action is called sankalp.

6. The motivator of all action is called sankalp.

7. The origin of desire and the inspiration for action is also called sankalp.

Now listen carefully little one, the Lord defines the Sarva Sankalp Sanyasi:

The Lord exhorts us here to renounce sankalp – not action. The question that arises now is that if one is to renounce the very thought that is an impetus to action, then how will actions be performed?

It is also clear that the Lord has so far advised us to:

a) renounce desire,

b) renounce thought,

c) renounce attachment,

d) renounce the fruits of action,

e) renounce the memory of sense objects,

f) renounce raag and dvesh.

He has not commanded us to renounce action.

Prakriti impels action

Little one, action is triggered both by thought and by Prakriti. Actions impelled by Prakriti are natural actions. In daily life some actions of the individual are generated or promoted by sankalp or thought, and some by the person’s own nature.

Prakriti has imparted a tricoloured nature to each individual, constituted of the three gunas which are self-motivated and self-functioning. These gunas of Prakriti interact unconsciously and automatically with the other attributes of the external world. All actions are produced through this habitual interaction of attributes with which one is endowed. It is not necessary to take the support of sankalp or thought in order to act. Prakriti’s channel of action is self-moving, spontaneous and self-promoting.

Sankalp is unnecessary for actions impelled by Prakriti

1. Sankalpas are generated when the ‘I’ becomes predominant.

2. They arise with the predominance of the body idea.

3. They are born when one’s individuality is given undue prominence.

4. They are based on raag and dvesh.

5. They are born of attachment and hope.

6. They arise in order to formulate some scheme or programme.

7. Sankalpas are an expression of the mind’s desire.

Who is devoid of sankalp?

a) Those Yogis who forget the body idea.

b) Those who forget their attachment to sense objects.

c) Those Yogis who forget all else in surrender to the Supreme.

d) Those who realise that Brahm is all and become devoid of the feeling of ‘I’ and ‘mine’.

The Lord says, that he who becomes completely detached from all action and sense objects, is devoid of sankalp. He is established in yoga.