Abhyasa and Vairagya
Question
Hello Sir!
Sri Krishna in the Bhagawad Gita says that 'Abhyasa' and 'Vairagya' are the two weapons to deal with the fluctuations of mind,does 'Abhyasa' here means 'Practice of Yoga' or 'Practice to keep the mind detached'? Please Enlighten us on this.
Thank You!
Answer
'Abhyasa' refers to the net sum of all those activities carried out, to merge the mind into the Atman (self). 'Vairagya' refers to developing detachment towards the world and sense pleasure, knowing them to end in suffering.
Sage Pathanjali describes the means to Yoga (Realization) as - "अभ्यास वैराग्याभ्यां तन्निरोधः" - "Through such Abhyasa and Vairagya are controlled the modifications of the mind, which eventually leads to self-realization".
ॐ तत् सत्
(That Supreme being is the absolute truth)