Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 19

Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता ।
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः ॥

Transliteration

yathā dīpo nivātastho neṅgate sopamā smṛtā .
yogino yatacittasya yuñjato yogamātmanaḥ ॥

Meaning

As a lamp in a windless place does not flicker — that is the image used for the disciplined mind of a yogi practising meditation on the Self.

Word meanings

यथा – as
दीपः – a lamp
निवातस्थः – placed in a windless spot
न – not
इङ्गते – flickers
सा – that
उपमा – simile, comparison
स्मृता – is traditionally used
योगिनः – of the yogi
यतचित्तस्य – of disciplined mind
युञ्जतः – practising
योगम् – yoga
आत्मनः – of (on) the Self

Anvaya (word order)

यथा निवातस्थः दीपः न इङ्गते, सा उपमा आत्मनः योगं युञ्जतः यतचित्तस्य योगिनः स्मृता ।

Explanation

This is one of the most beautiful and famous images in the Gita. Krishna compares the mind of the meditating yogi to a lamp placed where not even a breath of wind can reach. The flame of such a lamp stands perfectly straight and still, giving clear and steady light.

The image has several layers. The flame is the mind — luminous by nature, yet set trembling by the slightest breeze. The wind is desire, thought and the pull of sense objects, which keep the mind constantly wavering. The windless place is the state in which the doors of the senses are closed and no gust of craving enters. Then the flame of the mind grows steady and illumines the Self.

Notice that the flame is not extinguished; it keeps burning with full brightness. In the same way, in deep meditation the mind is not unconscious or blank but fully awake, luminous and calm. It is not the inertness of sleep but an alert stillness. Shankara calls this the illustration, accepted by those who know yoga (smrita), of the disciplined mind of the yogi absorbed in the Self.

The image also gives the seeker a measure for the quality of his own meditation: is the flame of the mind steady, or does it tremble at every small disturbance?

Context

Verse 6.18 said the mind comes to rest in the Self. This verse illustrates that state with the image of the lamp. In the following verses (6.20–23) Krishna gives a fuller description of the state of absorption in which the yogi is content in the Self alone.

Life lesson

Make your mind like a lamp sheltered from gusts of wind. Avoid needless news, quarrels and stimulation, and create a calm, windless atmosphere around the mind; then the inner light will burn steadily.

Key terms

Nivata: windless, sheltered from the wind
Dipa: lamp — here a symbol of the mind
Yatachitta: one whose mind is disciplined