Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 12 · Bhakti Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 12.9 अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम्
श्लोक 12.9
अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् ।
अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय ॥
atha cittaṃ samādhātuṃ na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram |
abhyāsayogena tato māmicchāptuṃ dhanañjaya ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे धनंजय (अर्जुन), यदि तुम अपना मन मुझमें स्थिर नहीं रख सकते, तो बार-बार के अभ्यास रूपी योग से मुझे पाने की इच्छा करो।
Meaning in English
If you cannot keep your mind steadily fixed on Me, then seek to reach Me through the yoga of repeated practice, O Dhananjaya (Arjuna, winner of wealth).
Bhagavad Gita 12.9 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अथ | atha | if |
| चित्तम् समाधातुम् | cittam samādhātum | to fix the mind |
| न शक्नोषि | na śaknoṣi | you are unable |
| मयि स्थिरम् | mayi sthiram | steadily on me |
| अभ्यास-योगेन | abhyāsa-yogena | by the yoga of practice |
| ततः | tataḥ | then |
| माम् इच्छ आप्तुम् | mām iccha āptum | seek to reach me |
| धनञ्जय | dhanañjaya | O Dhananjaya |
Explanation
If you cannot fix your mind steadily on me, then seek to reach me by the yoga of practice, O Dhananjaya.
Krishna now offers a ladder of easier steps. If constant absorption is too hard, practise: bring the mind back to God again and again, through japa, prayer and meditation.
भावार्थ
हे धनञ्जय, यदि तुम मन को मुझमें स्थिर नहीं कर सकते, तो अभ्यासयोग के द्वारा मुझे पाने की इच्छा करो।
Living it today
If concentration is hard, set a small daily practice and keep it; repetition shapes the mind.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 12.9?
If you cannot fix your mind steadily on me, then seek to reach me by the yoga of practice, O Dhananjaya.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 12.9?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 12 (Bhakti Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 12.9 in daily life?
If concentration is hard, set a small daily practice and keep it; repetition shapes the mind.
Reflected on verse 12.9?
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