It is natural for an Arjuna-mentality of uncompromising intellectualism to ask Krishna: “Then what?” And as an answer, the Lord explains why he should develop and maintain tranquillity of the mind in himself. “IN TRANQUILLITY ALL SORROWS ARE DESTROYED.” This sentence is obviously commented upon as a definition of happiness. A peaceful mind is significant of happiness. PEACE IS HAPPINESS; HAPPINESS IS PEACE. The least-agitated mind is proof against all sorrows inasmuch as sorrow is nothing but a state of agitation in the mind.

This explanation does not satisfy us completely since Krishna’s assertion is that ‘sorrows will be destroyed’ (hanih). In order to bring out clearly the meaning implied in the phrase ‘destruction of sorrows,’ we will have to understand it as the “elimination of vasanas.” Earlier, in the introduction, we have said that the vasana granulations, giving a thick coating to the subjective mind, are the cause for its delusion which creates all sorrows for the imperfect; while the Perfect transcends the vasanas through the Buddhi yoga explained earlier.

It is very well-known that all the vasanas existing in an individual who is facing life constantly, cannot be fully eradicated by him. The secret of doing so has been explained here by the Lord. Keeping the mind exposed to an atmosphere of tranquillity (Prasada), consciously brought about through an intelligent life of self-control, is the secret whereby all the vasanas can get eliminated.

THIS TRANQUILLITY IS EXTOLLED HERE BY LORD KRISHNA:

Prasade, when there is serenity; upajayate, there follows; hanih, eradication; asya sarva-duhkhanam, of all his, the sannyasin’s, sorrow on the physical and other planes. Moreover, (this is so) hi, because; buddhih, the wisdom; prasanna-cetasah, of one who has a serene mind, of one whose mind is poised in the Self; asu, soon; pari-avatisthate, becomes firmly established; remains steady (avatisthate) totally (pari), like the sky, i.e. it becomes unmoving in its very nature as the Self. The meaning of the sentence is this: Since a person with such a poised mind and well-established wisdom attains fulfilment, therefore a man of concentration [A man who is free whom slavery to objects of the senses.] ought to deal with the indispensable and scripturally non-forbidden objects through his senses that are free from love and hatred. That same serenity is being eulogized: