Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 6.16 नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः
श्लोक 6.16
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः ।
न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥
nātyaśnatastu yogo'sti na caikāntamanaśnataḥ |
na cātisvapnaśīlasya jāgrato naiva cārjuna ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे अर्जुन, यह योग न अधिक खाने वाले को सिद्ध होता है, न बिल्कुल न खाने वाले को; न बहुत सोने वाले को और न बहुत जागने वाले को।
Meaning in English
Yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who does not eat at all; not for one who sleeps too much, nor for one who stays awake too long, O Arjuna.
Bhagavad Gita 6.16 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| न | na | not |
| अति अश्नतः | ati aśnataḥ | for one who eats too much |
| तु | tu | indeed |
| योगः | yogaḥ | yoga |
| अस्ति | asti | is |
| न च | na ca | nor |
| एकान्तम् | ekāntam | at all |
| अनश्नतः | anaśnataḥ | for one who does not eat |
| न च | na ca | nor |
| अतिस्वप्नशीलस्य | ati-svapna-śīlasya | for one given to too much sleep |
| जाग्रतः | jāgrataḥ | for one who stays awake too much |
| न एव च | na eva ca | nor indeed |
| अर्जुन | arjuna | O Arjuna |
Explanation
Yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who does not eat at all; it is not for one who sleeps too much, nor, O Arjuna, for one who keeps awake too much. Balance, not extremes, supports practice.
After describing the sitting practice, Krishna turns to daily life, and his message is moderation. Extreme fasting and sleeplessness were sometimes treated as signs of holiness; the Gita rejects both excess and harsh self-denial. Shankara takes the right measure to be what suits one's own body. Many modern readers compare the verse with the Buddha's middle way. The positive version of the teaching follows in 6.17: balanced food, rest, work and sleep make yoga a remover of sorrow.
भावार्थ
हे अर्जुन! यह योग न तो बहुत अधिक खाने वाले का सिद्ध होता है, न बिल्कुल न खाने वाले का; न बहुत सोने वाले का और न बहुत जागने वाले का।
Living it today
Look honestly at your eating and sleeping this week. Small corrections towards balance help your mind more than any extreme diet or all-nighter.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 6.16?
Yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who does not eat at all; it is not for one who sleeps too much, nor, O Arjuna, for one who keeps awake too much. Balance, not extremes, supports practice.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.16?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.16 in daily life?
Look honestly at your eating and sleeping this week. Small corrections towards balance help your mind more than any extreme diet or all-nighter.
Reflected on verse 6.16?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.