Chapter 6 of 18
Path of Meditation
The sixth chapter of the Bhagavad Gita is Dhyana Yoga. In this chapter, Krishna reveals the Yoga of Meditation and how to practise this Yoga. He discusses the role of action in preparing for Meditation, how performing duties in devotion purifies one's mind and heightens one's spiritual consciousness. He explains in detail the obstacles that one faces when trying to control their mind and the exact methods by which one can conquer their mind. He reveals how one can focus their mind on Paramatma and unite with the God.
47 of 47 verses available
श्रीभगवानुवाच | अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः | स संन्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः ||६-१||
Krishna says that real renunciation is not running away from work or simply giving up outer rituals. A true yogi does what needs to be done, sincerely and responsibly, without becoming dependent on praise, rewards, success, or personal gain. When we act without clinging to results, our work becomes a path to inner peace and spiritual growth.
यं संन्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव | न ह्यसंन्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन ||६-२||
Krishna says that true renunciation is not merely giving up work or responsibilities; it is giving up the restless selfish plans and expectations that bind the mind. A person becomes a true yogi when they act without being driven by constant craving for personal outcomes.
आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते | योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते ||६-३||
At the beginning of the spiritual path, sincere action is essential: doing your responsibilities well, serving others, and living with discipline helps steady and purify the mind. Once a person becomes established in inner balance, quietness and freedom from restless striving become the way to deepen meditation.
यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते | सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते ||६-४||
A person becomes established in yoga when they no longer chase pleasures through the senses or cling to actions for personal gain. This does not mean abandoning all work; it means letting go of restless desires and self-centred plans, so the mind can become calm and steady in meditation.
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् | आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ||६-५||
Lift yourself through your own steady effort; do not let your mind pull you down. Your mind can become your greatest friend when it supports discipline, clarity, and growth, but when left uncontrolled, it can become the very force that harms you.
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः | अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत् ||६-६||
Your mind can become your greatest friend when you learn to guide it with awareness and self-discipline. But when it is left unchecked, the same mind can pull you into harmful habits, restless thoughts, and choices that work against your own well-being.
जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः | शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु तथा मानापमानयोः ||६-७||
When you learn to govern your own mind and become inwardly calm, you are no longer thrown off balance by changing conditions. Heat or cold, comfort or hardship, praise or criticism may still come, but your inner connection with the Divine remains steady and peaceful.
ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रियः | युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः ||६-८||
A true yogi finds inner fulfilment through both spiritual understanding and lived wisdom. Steady in mind and master of the senses, such a person is not carried away by the attraction of wealth or possessions; earth, stone, and gold do not disturb their inner balance.
सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु | साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते ||६-९||
A person growing in meditation learns not to let likes and dislikes control their judgment. Whether someone is a friend, enemy, relative, stranger, virtuous person, or wrongdoer, they try to see each person with steadiness and fairness. This does not mean approving harmful behaviour; it means responding without hatred, prejudice, or ego.
योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः | एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः ||६-१०||
For meditation to deepen, make regular time to sit quietly by yourself, away from distractions. Train your mind and habits with discipline, and practise without being driven by endless expectations, possessions, or the urge to gain more.
शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः | नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ||६-११||
For meditation, choose a clean, quiet place and prepare a steady, comfortable seat that is neither too high nor too low. Krishna is teaching that inner stillness is supported by simple outer discipline: a stable, balanced setting helps the mind settle and turn inward.
तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः | उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये ||६-१२||
Sit steadily and bring your attention to one point. By gently disciplining the mind and senses, practise meditation to clear inner restlessness and purify your heart. This is not about forcing the mind; it is about repeatedly returning it to a calm, focused state.
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः | सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ||६-१३||
For meditation, sit steady with your body, head, and neck aligned and relaxed, without fidgeting or looking around. Gently keep your attention gathered in one place; this simple physical steadiness helps the restless mind become calm and focused.
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः | मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ||६-१४||
For meditation to deepen, cultivate inner calm and let go of fear. Live with self-discipline, bring the wandering mind under gentle control, and keep your awareness centred on God as your highest purpose. This steady, devoted focus helps the mind become balanced and peaceful.
युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः | शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ||६-१५||
When a person steadily practises meditation and learns to guide the mind instead of being pulled around by it, they discover a deep peace within. This is not just temporary relief from stress; it is the lasting peace that comes from resting in God and moving towards spiritual freedom.
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः | न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ||६-१६||
Krishna teaches that meditation and inner balance cannot grow in extremes. Eating, sleeping, working, and resting all need a steady, sensible rhythm; neither indulgence nor harsh self-denial helps the mind become calm and focused.
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु | युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ||६-१७||
A steady mind is supported by a balanced life. Eat, rest, work, exercise, and enjoy recreation in sensible measure—not through excess or harsh deprivation. When daily habits are regulated, meditation becomes easier and begins to reduce inner suffering.
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते | निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ||६-१८||
A person is truly established in meditation when their disciplined mind becomes steady within the Self, rather than constantly chasing one desire after another. This is not about rejecting life, but about finding an inner fullness that is no longer dependent on external pleasures or possessions.
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता | योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः ||६-१९||
A meditator who has learned to steady the mind becomes like a lamp protected from the wind: calm, bright, and unwavering. Through regular practice, the mind stops being pulled in every direction by thoughts, worries, and desires, and rests deeply in the Self and in God.
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया | यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ||६-२०||
Through steady meditation, the restless mind gradually becomes still. In that inner quiet, a person discovers a contentment that does not depend on possessions, praise, or circumstances—it comes from connecting with the deeper Self within.
सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् | वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः ||६-२१||
In deep meditation, a person experiences a lasting inner joy that does not depend on pleasures of the senses. It is recognised by a calm, clear intellect; once established in that truth, one is no longer easily shaken or pulled away from it.
यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः | यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते ||६-२२||
When you discover the deep inner joy that comes from a steady, God-centred mind, no outer success or possession feels greater than it. Rooted in that peace, even serious hardships may bring pain, but they cannot shake you from within.
तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम् | स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा ||६-२३||
True Yoga is the path that gradually frees us from being trapped by suffering. Krishna says it must be practised steadily, with firm resolve and without losing heart when progress feels slow or the mind keeps wandering.
सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः | मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः ||६-२४||
For meditation to deepen, learn to let go of desires constantly created by imagined scenarios—what you might get, achieve, or enjoy. Gently bring the senses and the mind back from their scattered pursuits, instead of allowing every passing urge to take control.
शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया | आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ||६-२५||
Bring the mind to stillness gradually, not by force or impatience. With steady understanding and determination, keep returning your attention inward; as the mind settles in the Self, let go of the constant stream of unnecessary thoughts.
यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् | ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत् ||६-२६||
The mind will naturally drift—towards worries, memories, desires, and distractions. Each time you notice it wandering, do not be discouraged or harsh with yourself; gently bring it back to your inner centre and to God. Meditation grows through this patient, repeated return.
प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम् | उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम् ||६-२७||
The deepest happiness comes to the meditator whose mind has become calm and whose restless passions have settled. Freed from inner negativity and established in spiritual awareness, such a person experiences a joy that does not depend on changing outer circumstances.
युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी विगतकल्मषः | सुखेन ब्रह्मसंस्पर्शमत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते ||६-२८||
When a person keeps returning the mind to meditation and inner discipline, the heart gradually becomes clean of harmful tendencies and restlessness. From this steady connection with the Divine comes a deep, lasting joy—not a temporary pleasure dependent on outside circumstances.
सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि | ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः ||६-२९||
A person whose mind has become steady through meditation begins to see the same divine Self present in every living being. They also recognise that all beings are connected within that one reality, so they do not look at anyone with superiority, hatred, or indifference; they develop an equal and compassionate vision everywhere.
यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति | तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति ||६-३०||
When you learn to recognise the Divine presence in every person, creature, and part of life—and see all existence as resting in God—you no longer feel spiritually cut off from Him. This vision nurtures a steady closeness with God, even while living and acting in the world.
सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः | सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते ||६-३१||
A true yogi sees God present in every living being and relates to all with this sense of oneness. Whatever their outer role or way of life may be, such a person remains connected to the Divine through this loving, equal vision.
आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन | सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं स योगी परमो मतः ||६-३२||
The highest yogi is someone who sees every being with the same empathy they would want for themselves. They recognise that others feel joy and pain just as deeply, and so they do not become indifferent to another person’s suffering or jealous of another person’s happiness.
अर्जुन उवाच योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्तः साम्येन मधुसूदन | एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात्स्थितिं स्थिराम् ||६-३३||
Arjuna honestly admits that the calm, balanced state Krishna describes feels difficult to maintain because the mind keeps wandering and changing. His question reflects a common struggle: knowing what inner peace looks like is easier than keeping the mind steady in everyday life.
चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद् दृढम् | तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् ||६-३४||
Arjuna honestly admits what many people feel: the mind keeps jumping from one thought to another, gets pulled by emotions and desires, and can feel impossible to steady. Trying to control it can seem as hard as stopping the wind, especially when we are anxious, distracted, or overwhelmed.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम् | अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते ||६-३५||
Krishna agrees that the mind is restless and hard to control—so struggling with thoughts does not mean you are failing. But the mind can gradually become steadier through regular practice and vairagya: learning not to cling to every desire, worry, or passing thought. Each time you gently bring your attention back, you build inner strength.
असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः | वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः ||६-३६||
Krishna says that a restless, undisciplined mind makes meditation and inner union very difficult. But this is not a hopeless situation: through steady effort, self-discipline, and the right practice, a person can gradually bring the mind under control and attain Yoga.
अर्जुन उवाच अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः | अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति ||६-३७||
Arjuna asks a deeply human question: what happens to someone who sincerely believes and begins the path of meditation, but cannot steady the mind and falls short of full spiritual progress? He is worried that such a person may lose both worldly direction and spiritual fulfilment. The verse gives voice to the fear of failing despite genuine effort.
कच्चिन्नोभयविभ्रष्टश्छिन्नाभ्रमिव नश्यति | अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि ||६-३८||
Arjuna asks Krishna what happens to a seeker who begins the spiritual path with faith but cannot fully control the mind or complete the practice of meditation. Does such a person lose both worldly stability and spiritual progress, like a broken cloud that fades away without reaching anywhere? His question expresses the fear of failing after sincerely trying to grow inwardly.
एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः | त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते ||६-३९||
Arjuna honestly admits that he still has a deep question and asks Krishna to remove it completely. When we feel stuck in confusion, it is wise to seek clear guidance from someone whose understanding we truly trust, rather than pretending to have all the answers ourselves.
श्रीभगवानुवाच | पार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते | न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्चिद् दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति ||६-४०||
Krishna reassures Arjuna that sincere spiritual effort is never wasted. Even if someone cannot complete their practice in this life, the good they have done and the inner progress they have made are not lost; a person who walks the path of goodness does not meet a ruined end.
प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः | शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते ||६-४१||
No sincere spiritual effort is ever wasted. A person who has begun the path of Yoga but does not complete it in this life first enjoys the results of their good deeds, and is then born into a pure and prosperous family where they receive supportive conditions to continue their inner journey.
अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् | एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् ||६-४२||
Krishna says that a sincere seeker who does not complete the path of meditation in one life may be born into a family of wise spiritual practitioners. Such a birth offers a rare and precious environment, where spiritual understanding, discipline, and guidance can help the seeker continue the journey already begun.
तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं लभते पौर्वदेहिकम् | यतते च ततो भूयः संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन ||६-४३||
Krishna says that sincere spiritual effort is never wasted. A person who has practised before carries those inner impressions forward, regains that wisdom in a later life, and feels naturally drawn to continue the journey towards spiritual fulfilment.
पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः | जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ||६-४४||
No sincere spiritual effort is ever wasted. The inner discipline and meditation practised in the past leave a deep impression, drawing a person back toward the path of Yoga even when they do not fully understand why. Even a genuine desire to know this path can lift one beyond mere bookish knowledge and ritualistic learning toward direct inner experience.
प्रयत्नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संशुद्धकिल्बिषः | अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ||६-४५||
Spiritual growth is not lost, even when it feels slow or incomplete. A sincere seeker who keeps making effort, gradually cleanses the mind of harmful tendencies and, over many stages of growth, ultimately reaches the highest spiritual fulfilment.
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः | कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ||६-४६||
Krishna says that the path of Yoga—training the mind and turning it toward the Divine—is greater than mere austerity, bookish learning, or action done only for results. Knowledge, discipline, and work all have value, but they become complete when they help us develop inner steadiness and a living connection with God. Therefore, Krishna encourages Arjuna to become a true yogi.
योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना | श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः ||६-४७||
Krishna says that the highest yogi is not simply someone who meditates or practises discipline, but one whose heart is deeply connected to God. With sincere faith, such a person remembers, loves, and worships Him from within; this inner devotion makes their yoga complete.
