Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 4: Knowledge and the Renouncing of Action

Bhagavad Gita 4.27

sarvāṇīndriyakarmāṇi prāṇakarmāṇi cāpare | ātmasaṃyamayogāgnau juhvati jñānadīpite ||

Others offer all the actions of the senses and of the life-breath into the fire of the yoga of self-restraint, kindled by knowledge.

Modern context

Here the offering is the whole of one's activity. Every movement of the senses and of the vital energy is gathered into one-pointed self-mastery, and that fire is lit by understanding. This is deep meditation, in which attention is collected so fully that scattered activity comes to rest. The phrase 'kindled by knowledge' matters. Restraint that is forced, with no understanding behind it, is only strain. Restraint that grows from seeing clearly gives a steady light.