Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 6.13 समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः
श्लोक 6.13
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः ।
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥
samaṃ kāyaśirogrīvaṃ dhārayannacalaṃ sthiraḥ |
samprekṣya nāsikāgraṃ svaṃ diśaścānavalokayan ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
शरीर, सिर और गर्दन को सीधा और अचल रखकर, स्थिर होकर, इधर-उधर न देखते हुए अपनी नासिका के अग्रभाग पर दृष्टि टिकाए।
Meaning in English
Holding the body, head and neck straight and still, remaining steady, he should gaze at the tip of his own nose without looking around in any direction.
Bhagavad Gita 6.13 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| समम् | samam | straight, in line |
| कायशिरोग्रीवम् | kāya-śiro-grīvam | body, head and neck |
| धारयन् | dhārayan | holding |
| अचलम् | acalam | motionless |
| स्थिरः | sthiraḥ | steady |
| सम्प्रेक्ष्य | samprekṣya | gazing at |
| नासिकाग्रम् | nāsikā-agram | the tip of the nose |
| स्वम् | svam | one's own |
| दिशः च | diśaḥ ca | and the directions |
| अनवलोकयन् | anavalokayan | not looking around |
Explanation
Holding the body, head and neck straight and still, remaining steady, one should gaze at the tip of one's own nose, without looking around in any direction. The body becomes still and upright, and the eyes stop roaming, so that attention can turn inward.
This verse with the next completes the posture. An upright, still body supports an alert, still mind; slumping invites sleep, fidgeting invites distraction. Shankara notes that the gaze at the nose-tip is meant 'as if', a way of keeping the eyes from roving, not an object to fix the mind on, since the mind is to rest in the Self. Many traditions teach a half-closed, downward gaze for the same reason. The phrase 'not looking around' closes the outer doors so attention can turn inward.
भावार्थ
शरीर, सिर और गर्दन को सीधा और अचल रखकर, स्थिर होकर, अपनी नासिका के अग्रभाग पर दृष्टि जमाए और अन्य दिशाओं की ओर न देखे। इससे ध्यान भीतर की ओर मुड़ता है।
Living it today
Before you start, sit tall with your spine, neck and head in one line. A steady body makes a steady mind much easier.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 6.13?
Holding the body, head and neck straight and still, remaining steady, one should gaze at the tip of one's own nose, without looking around in any direction. The body becomes still and upright, and the eyes stop roaming, so that attention can turn inward.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.13?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.13 in daily life?
Before you start, sit tall with your spine, neck and head in one line. A steady body makes a steady mind much easier.
Reflected on verse 6.13?
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