Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 6.18 यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते
श्लोक 6.18
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते ।
निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ॥
yadā viniyataṃ cittamātmanyevāvatiṣṭhate |
niḥspṛhaḥ sarvakāmebhyo yukta ityucyate tadā ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जब भली-भाँति वश में किया हुआ मन केवल आत्मा में ही स्थिर हो जाता है और सभी कामनाओं की लालसा से मुक्त हो जाता है, तब मनुष्य योगयुक्त कहलाता है।
Meaning in English
When the well-disciplined mind rests in the Self alone, free from longing for any desire, then a person is said to be established in yoga.
Bhagavad Gita 6.18 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| यदा | yadā | when |
| विनियतम् | viniyatam | well disciplined |
| चित्तम् | cittam | the mind |
| आत्मनि एव | ātmani eva | in the Self alone |
| अवतिष्ठते | avatiṣṭhate | rests |
| निःस्पृहः | niḥspṛhaḥ | free from longing |
| सर्वकामेभ्यः | sarva-kāmebhyaḥ | for all objects of desire |
| युक्तः | yuktaḥ | united in yoga |
| इति | iti | thus |
| उच्यते | ucyate | is said to be |
| तदा | tadā | then |
Explanation
When the well-disciplined mind rests in the Self alone, and the person is free from longing for all objects of desire, then he is said to be united in yoga. The mind is no longer forced; it settles in the Self on its own.
Having given the method and the lifestyle, Krishna now gives the mark of success. The mind is not forced into blankness; it settles in the Self of its own accord, because desire no longer pulls it outward. 'Niḥspṛha' is a stronger word than mere restraint: the longing itself has fallen away. Shankara describes this as the mind being withdrawn from all external objects and established in the Self. The next verse (6.19) gives the famous image of the lamp in a windless place to describe this state.
भावार्थ
जब अच्छी तरह वश में किया हुआ चित्त आत्मा में ही स्थित हो जाता है और मनुष्य सब कामनाओं से निःस्पृह हो जाता है, तब वह योगयुक्त कहलाता है। तब मन स्वयं ही शान्त हो जाता है।
Living it today
Notice moments when you want nothing and feel content just being. Those moments, however brief, are a taste of what practice is for.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 6.18?
When the well-disciplined mind rests in the Self alone, and the person is free from longing for all objects of desire, then he is said to be united in yoga. The mind is no longer forced; it settles in the Self on its own.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.18?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.18 in daily life?
Notice moments when you want nothing and feel content just being. Those moments, however brief, are a taste of what practice is for.
Reflected on verse 6.18?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.