The Yoga of Meditation

Krishna describes the contentment that comes from self-realization. 'Yatroparamate cittaṁ niruddhaṁ yoga-sevayā'—when (yatra) the mind (cittam), restrained (niruddham) by the practice (sevayā) of yoga, becomes still (uparamate). This means: through yoga practice, your mind is controlled, restrained, and eventually becomes completely still—no movement, no thoughts, no distractions. It settles into perfect stillness. 'Yatra caivātmanātmānaṁ paśyann ātmani tuṣyati'—and when (yatra caiva) the Self (ātmanā) sees (paśyan) itself (ātmānam) in the Self (ātmani), it is content (tuṣyati). This means: when the mind is still, the Self can see itself—it recognizes its own nature, it beholds itself in itself. And in that recognition, there's contentment—complete satisfaction, perfect peace. This is the state of self-realization—still mind, Self seeing itself, complete contentment. The mind is no longer restless, the Self is no longer obscured—it sees itself and is satisfied.