III: 43

Chapter 3, Verse 43

"Knowing the Self, Arjuna,
And sustaining the self
by the Self,
Defeat this difficult-to-conquer
Enemy known as Rajasic desire."

Swami Shivananda:

"Thus in the Upanishads of the glorious Bhagavad Gita, the science of the Eternal, the scripture of Yoga, the dialogue between Sri Krishna and Arjuna, ends the third discourse entitled: 'The Yoga of action.'

It is difficult to master this kind of desire, because it is of a highly complex and incomprehensible nature. But a Sattvic person of discernment who does regular and intense Sadhana, can master it quite easily. If you increase the quality of Sattva in yourself, you can master Rajasic desire. Rajas cannot stand before Sattva. The simple and direct method is to appeal to the indwelling presence through prayer and Japa (dwelling repeatedly on the name of God)."

[Japa is an expression of the desire for constant remembrance of God. This Sattvic movement is a different kind of desire from restless, Rajasic desire. This desire for constant remembrance is devotion.]

Srila Prabhupada:

"This Third Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is conclusively directed towards Krishna consciousness by knowing oneself as the eternal servant of the Supreme Self. By gradually developing Krishna consciousness, one can become situated in a transcendental position and immune from being swayed by the material senses and the mind."

A friend:

"The real work of sense control is not really conducted on the level of senses and sense objects. There's no hope for sense control unless I work at the top level. The top level is the 'I' itself. There is, as Shivananda says, an 'indwelling presence.' It is the Paramatman, the Supersoul. The soul and Supersoul are, in the philosophy of Chaitanya, Achintya Bheda-Abheda, inconceivably one and two at the same time. They're merged, but they're also separate. I am God, but I am a little God. Krishna is the big God who is greater than I am. Krishna is the reservoir of pleasure from which I may drink my fill. He is unlimited, while I am limited. Yes, Japa will keep me nourished, and will conquer the insatiable enemy. This is the Bhakti theology of the Chaitanya Vaishnavas.

Concerning Japa: when repeating the Mantra, thinking, feeling, and willing come right along. 'We have these senses, and we are practiced in using them, so let us use them in the service of Krishna,' my guru, Srila Prabhupada, said. 'Anything connected with Krishna is Krishna,' he assured us. Food offered to Krishna is Krishna. Money offered to Krishna is Krishna. Thinking offered to Krishna is Krishna. Again, words from my guru: 'When you're chanting Krishna's name, he's dancing on your tongue. What is the difficulty?' "