The unwavering firmness by which, through Yoga, the functions of the mind, the life-force and the senses are restrained that firmness, O Arjuna, is Sattvic (pure).
In simple words
Krishna describes pure willpower: "The unwavering determination that, through steady practice, keeps the mind, the life energy, and the senses under control — that willpower is pure."
Word-by-word meanings
धृत्याby firmnessयया(by) whichधारयतेholdsमनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाःthe functions of the mind the Prana and the sensesयोगेनby Yogaअव्यभिचारिण्याunswervingधृतिःfirmnessसाthatपार्थO Arjunaसात्त्विकीSattvic (pure)
18.33 धृत्या by firmness? यया (by) which? धारयते holds? मनःप्राणेन्द्रियक्रियाः the functions of the mind? the Prana and the senses? योगेन by Yoga? अव्यभिचारिण्या unswerving? धृतिः firmness? सा that? पार्थ O Arjuna? सात्त्विकी Sattvic (pure).Commentary When firmness is awakened in the mind? the activities of the mind? the lifeforce and the senses are brought under control. The senses are withdrawn into the mind. The Prana and the Apana pass into the Sushumna Nadi.Yoga Samadhi or concentration of the mind. You cannot restrain the mind? the lifeforce and the senses by mere firmness. You can control them only by firmness which is ever accompanied by concentration of the mind.When the mind? the lifeforce and the senses are curbed by unwarvering firmness? they cannot run towards external sensual objects? they cannot do any mischief? they cannot move in ways which are opposed to the scriptures? they will be absorbed into their respective causes and their outgoing tendencies will be totally checked.This firmness is not repression or suppression? but an intelligent sublimation and inner transformation.
Contemporary scholarly and practical interpretations for modern seekers.
This interpretation draws on a specific tradition and may not represent the view of any single school. For authoritative guidance within a specific tradition, seek a qualified teacher.
Modern
# BG 18.33 — The Nature of Steadfastness
In the section under consideration, three types of steadfastness (dhrti) are described. That capacity of a human being through which he does not allow his desired and determined goal to slip from his sight is called steadfastness. With the aid of this faculty of retention, he maintains continuity of purpose even when mountain-like obstacles arise on the path to his goal. Steadfastness depicts our objective, keeps it ever before our vision, makes us industrious, and when hindrances appear, it organizes within us such hidden powers that we may face those obstacles with courage, valor, and fortitude. By the word steadfastness, all these meanings should be understood.
This faculty of retention—steadfastness—which is capable of bestowing upon a human being consciousness, dignity, and unprecedented success in life, is not found in those indulgent persons who are ever absorbed in sensory pleasures and in whom self-restraint is entirely absent. Steadfastness is not possible in persons of fragmented personality who entertain contrary thoughts and live a false life. Here, steadfastness is classified into three categories according to the three gunas: sattvic, rajasic, and tamasic. Yet in all of them, the noteworthy point is that steadfastness means retention itself—that faculty by which different individuals firmly hold to the goal determined by their intellect.
That steadfastness by which a seeker restrains his mind, senses, and their activities through yogic practice and focused meditation upon a single goal is sattvic steadfastness. The action-senses and knowledge-senses are naturally inclined toward objects of sense. Only the mind can restrain them. Yet for this work of restraint, the mind must obtain necessary strength and enthusiasm, which requires the presence of a goal. For withdrawal from lower pleasures, the goal must also be lofty and supreme; otherwise, sense-restraint is impossible. Therefore, Lord Sri Krishna here places special emphasis on the indispensability of meditation yoga.
Through the practice of unbroken self-inquiry, the seeker attains stability and balance, peace and contentment. By their power alone can he succeed in sense-restraint. Yet the root of all these attainments is steadfastness—the power of retention or forbearance. That steadfastness which aids in the attainment of the supreme goal is called sattvic steadfastness.