dhṛtyā yayā dhārayate
manaḥ-prāṇendriya-kriyāḥ
yogenāvyabhicāriṇyā
dhṛtiḥ sā pārtha sāttvikī
Translation of Bhagavad Gita 18.33
O son of Pritha, that determination which is unbreakable, which is sustained with steadfastness by yoga practice, and which thus controls the activities of the mind, life and senses is determination in the mode of goodness.
Commentary by Sri A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada of Gaudiya Sampradaya:
Yoga is a means to understand the Supreme Soul. One who is steadily fixed in the Supreme Soul with determination, concentrating one’s mind, life and sensory activities on the Supreme, engages in Krishna consciousness. That sort of determination is in the mode of goodness. The word avyabhicarinya is very significant, for it indicates that persons who are engaged in Krishna consciousness are never deviated by any other activity.
Commentary by Sri Vishvanatha Chakravarthi Thakur of Gaudiya Sampradaya:
Three types of determination are now described.
Commentary by Sri Ramanuja of Sri Sampradaya:
18.33 That Dhrti by which one through unswerving Yoga sustains the activities of the mind and the vital force and the sense-organs is said to be of the nature of Sattva. ‘Yoga is worship of the Lord which forms the means for release. The meaning is that the Dhrti or fortitude by means of which one sustains the activities of the mind and other organs in the practice of Yoga (worship) until one’s object is accomplished, is of the nature of Sattva.
Commentary by Sri Sridhara Swami of Rudra Sampradaya:
Although consciousness has many functions such as desire and aversion, it is buddhi intellect and dhriti determination which lead to righteousness and happiness whereas their absence leads to unrighteousness and despair. Of the various functions of the consciousness buddhi and dhriti are the chief ones that determine the others and so the influence of the three gunas or modes of material nature have been specifically explained in this light by Lord Krishna.
The threefold influence of the three gunas or modes of material nature beginning with sattva guna mode of goodness on dhrita or determination is illustrated by unwavering concentration upon the goal to be achieved by the aid of yoga or the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness by meditation and breathing exercises known as pranayama by which the senses are brought under complete control and directed to focus fully upon the goal. Such dhrita possessed by a jiva or embodied being is situated in sattva guna.
Commentary by Sri Madhvacharya of Brahma Sampradaya:
Sri Madhvacharya did not comment on this sloka.
Commentary by Sri Keshava Kashmiri of Kumara Sampradaya:
Although consciousness has many functions such as desire and aversion, it is buddhi intellect and dhriti determination which lead to righteousness and happiness whereas their absence leads to unrighteousness and despair. Of the various functions of the consciousness buddhi and dhriti are the chief ones that determine the others and so the influence of the three gunas or modes of material nature have been specifically explained in this light by Lord Krishna.
The threefold influence of the three gunas or modes of material nature beginning with sattva guna mode of goodness on dhrita or determination is illustrated by unwavering concentration upon the goal to be achieved by the aid of yoga or the individual consciousness attaining communion with the ultimate consciousness by meditation and breathing exercises known as pranayama by which the senses are brought under complete control and directed to focus fully upon the goal. Such dhrita possessed by a jiva or embodied being is situated in sattva guna.
Commentary by Sri Adi Shankaracharya of Advaita Sampradaya:
18.33 O Partha, dhrtya, the firmness; (-is connected with the remote word) avyabhicarinya, that is unfailing; yogena, through concentration, i.e. (the firmness that is) ever associated with samadhi (absorption in Brahman); yaya, with which; dharayate, one restrains;-what?-manah-prana-indriya-kriyah, the functions of the mind, vital forces and organs-restrains them from tending towards the path opposed to the scriptures-. Indeed, when restrained with firmness, they do not incline towards objects prohibited by the scriptures. Sa, that; dhrtih, firmness, which is of this kind; is sattviki, born of sattva. What is mean is that when one restrains the functions of the mind, vital forces and organs with unfailing firmness, one does so through yoga, concentration.
Commentary by Sri Abhinavagupta of Kaula Tantra Sampradaya:
18.33-35 Dhrtya etc. upto Tamasi mata. One restrains the activities of his mind, living breath and senses, with Yoga : i.e., thinking ‘What is the use for me by enjoying etc. ? Let me be delighted in the Self by all means.’ Consequently : not with much indulgence. That content whereby one fixes pleasure as his goal only in sleep, fight etc.-that content is of the Tamas (Strand).
Sanskrit Shloka Without Transliteration Marks:
dhrtya yaya dharayate
manah-pranendriya-kriyah
yogenavyabhicarinya
dhrtih sa partha sattviki
Sanskrit to English Word for Word Meanings:
dhṛtyā — determination; yayā — by which; dhārayate — one sustains; manaḥ — of the mind; prāṇa — life; indriya — and senses; kriyāḥ — the activities; yogena — by yoga practice; avyabhicāriṇyā — without any break; dhṛtiḥ — determination; sā — that; pārtha — O son of Pṛthā; sāttvikī — in the mode of goodness.
