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,बाहरके विषयभोगोंको न चिन्तन करता हुआ बाहर ही निकालकर और नेत्रोंकी दृष्टिको भूकुटीके बीचमें स्थित करके* तथा नासिकामें विचरनेवाले प्राण और अपानवायुको सम करके,“ जिसकी इन्द्रियाँ, मन और बुद्धि जीती हुई हैं---ऐसा जो मोक्षपरायण मुनि इच्छा, भय और क्रोधसे रहित हो गया है, वह सदा मुक्त ही हैः
arjuna uvāca | sparśān kṛtvā bahir bāhyāṁś cakṣuś caivāntare bhruvoḥ | prāṇāpānau samau kṛtvā nāsābhyantara-cāriṇau ||
Arjuna said: Having set aside external sense-contacts and turned the mind away from outward enjoyments, fixing the gaze steadily in the space between the eyebrows, and equalizing the inward-moving and outward-moving breaths as they pass within the nostrils—one disciplines the senses and mind for meditation. In the ethical setting of the battlefield discourse, this instruction presents inner mastery (restraint of attention and breath) as a practical means to steadiness and liberation, even amid the pressures of action and conflict.
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.