Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 10

Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः ।
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः ॥

Transliteration

yogī yuñjīta satatamātmānaṃ rahasi sthitaḥ .
ekākī yatacittātmā nirāśīraparigrahaḥ ॥

Meaning

A yogi should constantly engage his mind in meditation, staying in solitude, alone, with mind and body controlled, free from desires and from possessiveness.

Word meanings

योगी – the practitioner of yoga
युञ्जीत – should engage, should unite (in meditation)
सततम् – constantly
आत्मानम् – the mind, oneself
रहसि – in a secluded place
स्थितः – remaining
एकाकी – alone
यतचित्तात्मा – with mind and body controlled
निराशीः – free from hopes and cravings
अपरिग्रहः – free from possessiveness and hoarding

Anvaya (word order)

योगी रहसि स्थितः एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीः अपरिग्रहः (सन्) आत्मानं सततं युञ्जीत ।

Explanation

Here Krishna begins the practical method of meditation, which continues up to 6.17. It is the most systematic account of meditation in the Gita. Having described the one established in yoga, he now explains how to sit and practise in order to get there. This first verse lays down the outer and inner conditions that meditation requires.

The outer condition is rahasi sthitah ekaki — a secluded place, and being alone. The beginner's mind is quickly pulled outward; conversation, noise and bustle scatter it. So for the time of meditation one needs a place free of disturbance. Being alone means having no company or conversation at that time. It does not mean abandoning society for life; it means creating solitude for the period of practice.

The inner conditions are three. Yatachittatma — mind and body held in restraint. Nirashih — without the clamour of hopes and cravings; a mind busy with 'may I get this, may that happen' cannot settle within. Aparigrahah — freedom from hoarding and from the feeling 'this is mine'; for the things we grip in life continue to grip us in meditation.

Satatam yunjita — let him practise constantly. Meditation is not an occasional hobby but a regular daily discipline. Shankara explains that 'yogi' here means the practitioner of meditation and atmanam means the inner instrument, the mind, which is to be brought into absorption.

Thus the first step of meditation begins even before one sits down — by simplifying life, reducing desires and lessening possessions. A scattered life produces a scattered meditation.

Context

Up to 6.9 the marks of the one established in yoga were given. From 6.10 to 6.17 comes the method of meditation. The next verse (6.11) describes the place and the seat for meditation.

Life lesson

Set aside some time each day — even fifteen minutes — for solitude, away from phones and busyness. At the same time, reduce unnecessary desires and possessions; the simpler your life, the deeper your meditation.

Key terms

Rahasi: in seclusion, in an undisturbed place
Nirashih: free from cravings and expectations
Aparigraha: non-possessiveness
Yunjita: should engage the mind in yoga