Yoga as Body and Mind Control 43
directs the other senses, it is of utmost importance
to make the mind the friend.

jitatmanah prasantasya
paramatma samahitah
sitosna-sukha-duh khesu
tatha manapamanayoh
‘For one who has conquered the mind, the Supersoul
is already reached, for he has attained tranquility.
To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold,
honor and dishonor are all the same.” (Bg. 6.7)
By training the mind, one actually attains tranquility,
for the mind is always dragging us over nonperma-
nent things, just as an unbridled horse will pull a
chariot on a perilous course. Although we are perma-
nent and eternal, somehow or other we have become
attracted to nonpermanent things. But the mind
can be easily trained if it is simply fixed on Krsna.
Just as when a fort is safe when it is defended by a
great general, if Krsna is placed in the fort of the mind,
there will be no possibility of the enemy entering.
Material education, wealth and power will not help
one to control the mind. A great devotee prays,
“When will I be able to think of You constantly? My
mind is always dragging me about, but as soon as I
am able to fix my mind on the lotus feet of Krsna,
it becomes clear.””» When the mind is clear, it is
possible to meditate on the Supersoul. The Paramat-
ma, or Supersoul, is always seated within the heart
along with the individual soul. The yoga system
involves concentrating the mind and focusing it on
the Paramatma or Supersoul seated within the heart.
