This is a profound question that goes to the very heart of the Bhagavad Gita's message.
According to the Gita, the "ultimate person" is not one who controls empires or wealth, but one who has achieved complete self-mastery. This person is called a Sthitaprajna—one of steady wisdom.
The path to achieving this state (which leads to both worldly success and ultimate salvation, or Moksha) is about mastering specific areas within yourself.
Here are the most important things to control and the paths to achieve this, as per the Gita:
The Three Areas to Conquer (The Internal Battle)
Lord Krishna explains that our true enemy is not outside, but within. If a person can control these three, they become the "ultimate person."
The Senses ($Indriyani$):
The Problem: The Gita describes the senses (sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell) as wild horses that pull the chariot of the body in all directions. They chase after objects of pleasure, making the mind restless and agitated.
The Control: The "ultimate person" learns to withdraw their senses from sense-objects at will, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs into its shell (Chapter 2, Verse 58). This isn't about hating the world, but about not being a slave to its attractions and repulsions.
The Mind ($Manas$):
The Problem: The mind is described as restless, turbulent, and more difficult to control than the wind (Chapter 6, Verse 34). An uncontrolled mind is your worst enemy.
The Control: Krishna states that a controlled mind is your best friend (Chapter 6, Verse 6). This control is achieved through two key practices: $Abhyasa$ (consistent practice, like meditation) and $Vairagya$ (detachment from the cravings of the senses).
The Three Gates to Hell ($Kama, Krodha, Lobha$):
The Problem: In Chapter 16, Krishna gives a direct warning. He names three specific vices that are the "three gates to hell" and lead to the soul's degradation. These are the root of all failure and bondage.
$Kama$ (Lust or Uncontrolled Desire)
$Krodha$ (Anger)
$Lobha$ (Greed)
The Control: A person seeking mastery must abandon these three. They are the source of agitation, delusion, and the loss of intelligence.
The Path to Success and Salvation (How to Master Life)
Controlling the areas above is the how. The what to do is defined by the great Yogas, or paths to salvation.
$Karma Yoga$ (The Path of Selfless Action):
This is the Gita's most famous teaching for achieving "success" in the world.
What it is: Performing your duty (Svadharma) to the best of your ability without being attached to the results.
The Key Verse (Chapter 2, Verse 47): "You have a right to perform your prescribed duties, but you are not entitled to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results, and do not be attached to inaction."
Why it works: When you focus only on your action and not the fruit (success/failure, profit/loss, praise/blame), your mind becomes steady. You are freed from the anxiety of "what if I fail?" and the arrogance of "look what I did." This state of balance is true success.
$Jnana Yoga$ (The Path of Knowledge):
What it is: The path of understanding the ultimate truth. This is for the person who is naturally introspective.
How it works: Through study and contemplation, one learns to discriminate between the temporary (the body, the world, emotions) and the eternal (the soul, or Atman). Realizing "I am not this body, I am not this mind" frees you from all worldly suffering.
$Bhakti Yoga$ (The Path of Devotion):
What it is: The path of love and surrender to God. The Gita presents this as the simplest and most direct path for many people.
How it works: By dedicating all your actions, thoughts, and feelings to a higher power, you purify your mind. The ego dissolves, and the "three gates" of lust, anger, and greed lose their power.
Summary: The "Ultimate Person"
The "ultimate person" (Sthitaprajna) is one who:
Controls their senses and is not swayed by cravings.
Masters their mind through practice and detachment.
Has abandoned lust, anger, and greed.
Performs their duty with excellence, without worrying about the results.
Is steady in both success and failure, joy and sorrow.
This person, according to the Gita, has achieved true success and is assured of salvation (Moksha).
