Shloka 27
अक्षरब्रह्मयोग (Akṣara-Brahma-Yoga) — Knowledge of the Imperishable, Prakṛti, and Devotion
सम्बन्ध-- कर्मगोग और सांख्ययोग--दोनों याधनों-्वारा परमात्माकी प्राप्ति और परमात्माको प्राप्त महापुरुषोंके लक्षण कहे गये। उक्त दोनों ही प्रकारके साधकोंके लिये वैराग्यपूर्वक मन-इन्द्रियोॉंकोी वशर्में करके ध्यानयोगका साधन करना उपयोगी है; अतः अब संक्षेपें फलसहित ध्यानयोगका वर्णन करते हैं-- स्पर्शान् कृत्वा बहिर्बहिंभ्षक्षुश्वैवान्तरे भ्रुवो: । प्राणापानौ समौ कृत्वा नासाभ्यन्तरचारिणौ
arjuna uvāca | sparśān kṛtvā bahir bāhyāṁś cakṣuś caivāntare bhruvoḥ | prāṇāpānau samau kṛtvā nāsābhyantara-cāriṇau ||
Arjuna said: Setting aside external sense-contacts and turning the mind away from outward enjoyments, fixing the gaze steadily between the eyebrows, and equalizing the in-breath and out-breath—prāṇa and apāna—as they move within the nostrils, one disciplines the senses and mind for meditation.
अर्जुन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse teaches a concrete meditative discipline: withdraw attention from external sense-objects, steady the gaze at the brow-center, and balance inhalation and exhalation within the nostrils. This inner regulation supports mastery over mind and senses, preparing one for freedom from agitation and for liberation-oriented living.
In Bhīṣma Parva’s spiritual instruction amid the war setting, Arjuna speaks while the discussion turns to practical means of yoga. The verse functions as a step-by-step description of meditation and breath-balance, presenting inner steadiness as compatible with—and necessary for—right action under intense circumstances.