Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 17

Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥

Transliteration

yuktāhāravihārasya yuktaceṣṭasya karmasu .
yuktasvapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkhahā ॥

Meaning

For one who is moderate in eating and recreation, balanced in effort at work, and regulated in sleep and waking, yoga becomes the destroyer of all sorrow.

Word meanings

युक्ताहारविहारस्य – of one moderate in food and recreation
युक्तचेष्टस्य – of one balanced in effort
कर्मसु – in actions
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य – of one regulated in sleep and waking
योगः – yoga
भवति – becomes
दुःखहा – the destroyer of sorrow

Anvaya (word order)

युक्ताहारविहारस्य कर्मसु युक्तचेष्टस्य युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य (पुरुषस्य) दुःखहा योगः भवति ।

Explanation

This verse is the Gita's formula for a balanced life, and a vital part of its teaching on meditation. In the previous verse Krishna rejected extremes; now he describes the right way of living. The word yukta, repeated again and again, means fitting, measured, balanced — neither too much nor too little.

First is yukta ahara — food that is nourishing, pure, taken in proper quantity and at proper times. Food is not merely fuel for the body; it also shapes the quality of the mind. Second is yukta vihara — movement, exercise and recreation, also in moderation. The body should neither be left idle nor driven to exhaustion.

Third is karmasu yukta-cheshta — balanced effort in one's duties. Shirking work is wrong, but so is drowning in work until no time remains for health, family and spiritual practice. Fourth is yukta svapnavabodha — regular hours of sleep and waking. Irregular sleep is often the first thing to destroy the steadiness of the mind.

For one who lives such a balanced life, yoga becomes duhkha-ha — the destroyer of sorrow. It is worth noticing that Krishna does not separate meditation from daily life. The hour spent on the seat is nourished by the other twenty-three hours. Ramanuja remarks that this balance is what makes the practice of yoga natural and lasting. In our own age of irregular meals, late nights and overwork, this verse is more relevant than ever.

Context

Verse 6.16 forbade extremes; this verse gives the positive counterpart and completes the method of meditation (6.10–17). From the next verse (6.18) Krishna describes when a yogi is called 'yukta' and what the state of absorption is like.

Life lesson

Review your daily routine — mealtimes, sleep, working hours and rest. Small corrections, such as sleeping on time, eating light and fresh food, and taking breaks in work, can make not only meditation but your whole life lighter and happier.

Key terms

Yukta: fitting, balanced, measured
Ahara-vihara: food and recreation
Cheshta: effort, activity
Duhkha-ha: destroyer of sorrow