Bhagavad Gita Chapter 17, Verse 16

Chapter 17 – Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः ।
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥

Transliteration

manaḥ prasādaḥ saumyatvaṃ maunamātmavinigrahaḥ .
bhāvasaṃśuddhirityetattapo mānasamucyate ॥

Meaning

Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control and purity of heart: this is called austerity of the mind.

Word meanings

मनःप्रसादः – serenity, clarity of mind
सौम्यत्वम् – gentleness, benevolence
मौनम् – silence, contemplativeness
आत्मविनिग्रहः – self-control, mastery of the mind
भावसंशुद्धिः – purity of heart and motive
इति – thus
एतत् – this
तपः – austerity
मानसम् – of the mind
उच्यते – is called

Anvaya (word order)

मनःप्रसादः, सौम्यत्वं, मौनम्, आत्मविनिग्रहः, भावसंशुद्धिः इति एतत् मानसं तपः उच्यते ।

Explanation

After body and speech, Krishna describes the subtlest and most important austerity: that of the mind. The actions of body and speech arise from the mind, so until the mind is pure, outer austerity remains incomplete. This verse names five elements of mental austerity.

First, manah-prasadah: serenity and clarity of mind. This is not passing excitement but a mind calm, free of worry and clear like a still lake. In Chapter 2 Krishna said that when prasada, serenity, is attained, all sorrows come to an end (2.65). It comes from letting go of envy, hostility and anxiety.

Second, saumyatvam: gentleness. Shankara explains it as saumanasya, goodwill and kindly thoughts towards all, cheerfulness of face and softness of manner. In the presence of a gentle person others feel soothed, as in the cool light of the moon (soma).

Third, maunam: silence. Note that silence is placed among the austerities of mind, not of speech. Silence of speech is the result of silence of mind. Shankara calls it muni-bhava, the contemplative disposition: the mind steadily reflecting on truth and free from the clamour of useless thoughts. Staying silent outwardly while chattering inwardly is not true silence.

Fourth, atma-vinigrahah: mastery of the mind, keeping it from wandering among objects and holding it steady on its goal. In Chapter 6 Krishna said the mind is restless but can be controlled through practice and detachment (6.35).

Fifth, bhava-samshuddhih: complete purity of heart. It is freedom from cunning in one's dealings, sincere and transparent feelings towards others, and harbouring ill-will towards no one. This is the deepest austerity, for feelings are the seeds of action.

Thus the austerities of body, speech and mind together purify life completely. This threefold austerity needs no special place, time or dress; it can be practised at home, at work, anywhere, in every moment.

Context

The previous two verses described austerity of body and speech; this verse completes the threefold austerity with that of the mind. The next three verses show how this same austerity becomes sattvic, rajasic or tamasic according to the spirit in which it is practised.

Life lesson

The greatest austerity is to make the mind serene, gentle, quiet, disciplined and sincere. Sit in silence for a few moments each day, watch your feelings and try to purify them.

Key terms

Manah-prasada: Clear, calm serenity of mind
Saumyatva: Gentleness; goodwill towards all
Mauna: Silence; contemplativeness, freedom from useless thoughts
Bhava-samshuddhi: Complete purity of heart and motive