Recall from the previous section (BG 2.61) that the secret of controlling the senses is to engage them in the service of Krishna (who will reveal Himself as God in chapter 4). It is important to note that our uncontrolled senses first of all attack our mind (BG 2.60). The mind must be fixed on something. When the mind is not fixed on Krishna, we go through the following 8-stage fall-down process instantaneously.
From one’s (puṁsaḥ) contemplation on (dhyāyato) the objects of the senses (viṣayān) develops (upajāyate) attachment (saṅgas) for them (teṣu), and from such attachment (saṅgāt) lust or a desire for enjoyment (kāmaḥ) develops (sañjāyate), and from lust (kāmāt) anger (krodho) arises (abhijāyate). (BG 2.62) By default, our desires for enjoyment either multiply or remain unfulfilled. As a result, chasing after lust inevitably leads to anger instead of satisfaction. What happens after anger? From anger (krodhād), complete delusion (sammohaḥ) arises (bhavati), and from delusion (sammohāt) bewilderment of memory (smṛti-vibhramaḥ). When memory is bewildered (smṛti-bhraṁśād), intelligence is lost (buddhi-nāśo), and when intelligence is lost (buddhi-nāśāt) one falls down (praṇaśyati). (BG 2.63) The fallen position is characterized by an experience of disconnection from Krishna, exactly opposite of yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ that Krishna states in BG 2.61.
But (tu), contacting (caran) the sense objects (viṣayān) through self-controlled (ātma-vaśyair) senses (indriyaiś) free from (vimuktais) attachment and aversion (rāga-dveṣa), such a regulated soul (vidheyātmā) obtains (adhigacchati) grace (prasādam). (BG 2.64) As a result of (asyopajāyate) obtaining grace (prasāde), all miseries (sarva-duḥkhānāṁ) are vanquished (hānir); certainly (hi), in such a blissful consciousness (prasanna-cetaso), one’s intelligence (buddhiḥ) is rapidly (āśu) reestablished (paryavatiṣṭhate). (BG 2.65) As a result, one regains one’s purity of purpose and clarity of the goal.
Thus, the antidote to the aforementioned spiraling process of fall-down is to embrace the regulative principles of freedom by the soul’s engagement of the senses in Krishna’s service. This restores our connection with Krishna and we again become happy.
The disconnected (ayuktasya) does not have (nāsti) proper intelligence (buddhir). The disconnected (ayuktasya) also (ca) does not (na) have proper focus (bhāvanā), and (cā) without (na) a fixed position (abhāvayataḥ), there is no peace (śāntir). Where is (kutaḥ) happiness (sukham) for one who is lacking peace (aśāntasya)? (BG 2.66)
