Bhagavad Gita Chapter 4, Verse 26 (BG 4.26) — Meaning, Translation & Commentary

# BG 4.26 Through the well-known metaphor of Vedic sacrifice, the Lord here reveals to Arjuna the nature of all sacrifices—that is, all spiritual practices. In the ritual of sacrifice, oblations were offered into the fire to obtain the blessings of the divine forces. Through this metaphor, it is shown that in this practice, not only does the oblation turn to ash, but along with it, the blessing of the divine is also obtained. The Self-realized person, or the spiritual aspirant, offers the senses—such as hearing—as oblations in the fire of self-restraint; that is, they live a life of inner discipline. In this way, the outward-turning tendency of the senses is consumed, and the practitioner also attains the joy of inner freedom. It is a well-established truth that the more we attempt to satisfy the senses, the more turbulent they become and the more they rob us of our peace. Only through the practice of self-restraint does the aspirant gain the capacity for meditation. In the first line of this verse, there is instruction in sense-restraint, while in the second line, there is instruction in mind-restraint. The mind's existence is sustained only by receiving sensations of external objects through the senses. Where the five objects—sound, touch, and so forth—are not perceived, the mind cannot function at all. Therefore, the practice taught here is to keep the mind unaffected by objects, and through this practice, the steadiness of mind necessary for meditation can be attained. Regarding the person who has completely restrained the mind, the Lord says: Others offer the objects of sense—such as sound—as oblations in the fire of the senses. In the first method, the sensations of objects are restrained at the very gateway of the senses, whereas in the second method, the practice is to control them at the subtler level of the mind itself. Speaking of yet other types of sacrifice, the Lord continues: