Bhagwad Gita - Post 33

Verse 64

Raagadwesha viyuktaistu

Vishayaanindriyaishcharan;

Aatmavashyair vidheyaatmaa

Prasaadamadhigacchati.

But the self-controlled man,

moving amongst objects with the senses under restraint, 

and free from attraction and repulsion,

attains to peace.

In the last shloka, Shri Krishna explained the “ladder of fall”, or how constant thinking about material objects leads to a fall from equanimity. In this verse, He explains the exact opposite scenario, where bringing the senses and the mind under control brings us to a state of happiness. Here’s the sequence of events:

Bring senses and mind under control à one becomes devoid of attraction and revulsion à he can experience the material world without any problem à his mind becomes tranquil à his intellect becomes steady à he has no more sorrow à he attains the state of happiness.

Attachment and aversion are two sides of the same coin. Aversion is nothing but negative attachment. Just as, in attachment, the object of attachment repeatedly comes to one’s mind; similarly, in aversion, the object of hatred keeps popping into the mind. 

When the mind is free from both attachment and aversion, uses only the intellect for any action outward and is inwardly absorbed in devotion to God / contemplation on the SELF, one receives the grace of God and experiences unlimited divine love / bliss of SELF. 

On experiencing that higher taste, the mind no longer feels attracted to the sense objects, even while using them. Thus, even while tasting, touching, smelling, hearing, and seeing, like all of us, the sthithaprajña is free from both attachment and aversion.

The jñānīs who propound the worship of the undifferentiated attributeless Brahman do not understand this point when they recommend giving up all attachments. However, Shri Krishna states: “Those who attach their minds to me with unadulterated devotion rise above the three modes of material nature and attain the level of the supreme Brahman.” (Bhagavad Gita 14.26)

Swami Sivananda writes on a Jivan mukta, thus:

"The sage lives forever. He has attained life everlasting. Cravings torture him not. Sins stain him not. Birth and death touch him not. Pains and tribulations torment him not. 

The Jivanmukta is freed from the trammels of mind and matter. He is absolutely free, perfect, independent. He is absolutely free from hatred, lust, cares, worries, and anxieties. 

There, at the summit of the Hill of Eternal Bliss, you can see now the Jivanmukta or a full-blown Yogi. He has climbed the stupendous heights through intense and constant struggle. 

He did profound Nididhyasana or meditation. He spent sleepless nights. He kept long vigils on several halting stages. He persevered with patience and diligence. He has surmounted many obstacles. He conquered despair, gloom, and depression. "

Love.