Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 21

Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद् बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् ।
वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः ॥

Transliteration

sukhamātyantikaṃ yattad buddhigrāhyamatīndriyam .
vetti yatra na caivāyaṃ sthitaścalati tattvataḥ ॥

Meaning

In which one knows that infinite joy which lies beyond the senses and is grasped by the purified intellect; and established in which one never moves away from the truth —

Word meanings

सुखम् – joy, happiness
आत्यन्तिकम् – infinite, ultimate, endless
यत् – which
तत् – that
बुद्धिग्राह्यम् – grasped by the (purified) intellect
अतीन्द्रियम् – beyond the senses
वेत्ति – knows, experiences
यत्र – in which
न – not
च – and
एव – indeed
अयम् – this (yogi)
स्थितः – established
चलति – moves, wavers
तत्त्वतः – from the truth, from reality

Anvaya (word order)

यत्र (योगी) यत् तत् बुद्धिग्राह्यम् अतीन्द्रियम् आत्यन्तिकं सुखं वेत्ति, यत्र स्थितः च अयं तत्त्वतः न एव चलति —

Explanation

Continuing the description of yoga's highest state, Krishna now describes the nature of its joy. Three adjectives distinguish this joy from worldly pleasure.

First, it is atyantika — endless. Worldly pleasure tastes sweet at first, but it ends, and its ending often leaves behind emptiness or fresh craving. The joy of the Self neither diminishes nor comes to an end. Second, it is atindriya — beyond the senses. Pleasures that come through eye, ear and tongue depend on their objects. This joy depends on no object; it is the very nature of the Self.

Third, it is buddhi-grahya — grasped by the purified intellect. One may ask: if it is beyond the senses, how is it experienced at all? The answer is that this bliss shines directly in the calm, purified intellect. Shankara says it is apprehended by the intellect alone, independent of the senses.

The final mark of this state is na chaivayam sthitash chalati tattvatah — established in it, the yogi never again strays from his true nature. One who has once recognised a real diamond is no longer charmed by pieces of glass; likewise one who has known this bliss is not shaken by the world's temptations. The next verse explains this steadiness more deeply.

Context

Verse 6.20 spoke of the mind coming to rest and of contentment in the Self. This verse describes the transcendent joy and the unwavering steadiness of that state. Verse 6.22 adds that no gain surpasses it and that one established in it is unshaken even by great sorrow.

Life lesson

We know sense pleasures are fleeting, yet we keep chasing them. Now and then, pause and seek the quiet joy that depends on no object; prayer, meditation and selfless service offer glimpses of it.

Key terms

Atyantika sukha: infinite, never-ending joy
Atindriya: beyond the reach of the senses
Buddhi-grahya: to be grasped by the purified intellect
Tattvatah: in truth, from one's true nature