Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 17 · Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 17.16 मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः
श्लोक 17.16
मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः ।
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥
manaḥ prasādaḥ saumyatvaṃ maunamātmavinigrahaḥ |
bhāvasaṃśuddhirityetattapo mānasamucyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
मन की प्रसन्नता, सौम्यता, मौन, आत्म-संयम और भावों की शुद्धि, यह मन का तप कहलाता है।
Meaning in English
Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control and purity of feeling: this is called austerity of the mind.
Bhagavad Gita 17.16 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| मनःप्रसादः | manaḥ-prasādaḥ | serenity of mind |
| सौम्यत्वम् | saumyatvam | gentleness |
| मौनम् | maunam | silence |
| आत्मविनिग्रहः | ātma-vinigrahaḥ | self-control |
| भावसंशुद्धिः | bhāva-saṃśuddhiḥ | purity of intention |
| इति | iti | thus |
| एतत् | etat | this |
| तपः | tapaḥ | austerity |
| मानसम् | mānasam | of the mind |
| उच्यते | ucyate | is called |
Explanation
Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control and purity of intention: this is called austerity of the mind. Completing the threefold scheme, Krishna names the inner disciplines that steady the mind and cleanse its motives. Here tapas becomes entirely inward, a matter of how one thinks and feels.
Shankara notes that mauna here means not only refraining from speech but the inner quiet of reflection, the mental discipline that underlies controlled speech. Bhāva-saṃśuddhi is purity of feeling, freedom from deceit in one's dealings with others. Commentators see a progression across 17.14–16 from outer to inner, body to speech to mind, the mind being the root of the other two. Many readers regard mental tapas as the most demanding, since it cannot be performed for show.
भावार्थ
मन की प्रसन्नता, सौम्यता, मौन, आत्म-संयम और भावों की शुद्धि — इसे मन का तप कहा जाता है। यह तप पूरी तरह भीतर का है और इसे दिखावे के लिए नहीं किया जा सकता। मन ही वाणी और शरीर दोनों का मूल है।
Living it today
Set aside a few minutes of silence each day and check your motives honestly. Inner calm and clean intentions are the deepest form of discipline.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 17.16?
Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control and purity of intention: this is called austerity of the mind. Completing the threefold scheme, Krishna names the inner disciplines that steady the mind and cleanse its motives. Here tapas becomes entirely inward, a matter of how one thinks and feels.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 17.16?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 17 (Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 17.16 in daily life?
Set aside a few minutes of silence each day and check your motives honestly. Inner calm and clean intentions are the deepest form of discipline.
Reflected on verse 17.16?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.