Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6, Verse 3

Chapter 6 – Dhyana Yoga · Speaker: Krishna

Sanskrit verse

आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते ।
योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते ॥

Transliteration

ārurukṣormuneryogaṃ karma kāraṇamucyate .
yogārūḍhasya tasyaiva śamaḥ kāraṇamucyate ॥

Meaning

For the sage who wishes to ascend to yoga, action is said to be the means; for that same person, once he has ascended to yoga, tranquillity (shama) is said to be the means.

Word meanings

आरुरुक्षोः – of one wishing to ascend
मुनेः – of the sage, the contemplative
योगम् – to yoga
कर्म – action
कारणम् – the means, the cause
उच्यते – is said to be
योगारूढस्य – of one who has ascended to yoga
तस्य – of him
एव – the very same
शमः – tranquillity, quiescence

Anvaya (word order)

योगम् आरुरुक्षोः मुनेः कर्म कारणम् उच्यते; योगारूढस्य तस्य एव शमः कारणम् उच्यते ।

Explanation

This verse distinguishes two stages of spiritual practice. Krishna pictures yoga as a mountain to be climbed. For the aspirant still on the ascent (arurukshu), selfless action is the means. Through action done without attachment, the mind's impurities are washed away, the ego loosens its grip, and the heart becomes clear. Without this purification, steady meditation is impossible.

When the seeker has reached the summit — when he is yogarudha, established in yoga — tranquillity (shama) becomes the means. Shama is the complete stilling of the mind, a natural withdrawal from outward activity. He no longer needs action for his own purification; he simply abides in the Self and rests in peace.

Shankara takes this verse as evidence for a sequence: first action for the purification of mind, then the cessation of works for steadfastness in knowledge. Ramanuja understands 'yoga' here as meditative realisation of the Self, and says that karma yoga should continue until meditation becomes steady, after which calm meditation itself is the chief discipline. Both agree that spiritual life is a graded growth, not a single leap.

It should be noted that the one established in yoga may still act for the welfare of the world, but such action is no longer a means of his purification; it is the natural overflow of his peace.

Context

Verse 6.2 taught that no one becomes a yogi without renouncing sankalpa. Here the order of practice is explained. The next verse (6.4) defines who is called yogarudha.

Life lesson

Every person's spiritual journey has its own stage. In the beginning, sincere selfless service and faithful performance of duty are the greatest means; peace comes in its own time. Do not try to leap to the summit by skipping the first steps.

Key terms

Arurukshu: the aspirant who wishes to ascend to yoga
Yogarudha: one who has ascended and is established in yoga
Shama: tranquillity; natural quiescence from outer activity
Muni: a contemplative sage