Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 6.23 तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम्
श्लोक 6.23
तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम् ।
स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा ॥
taṃ vidyād duḥkhasaṃyogaviyogaṃ yogasaṃjñitam |
sa niścayena yoktavyo yogo'nirviṇṇacetasā ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
उस अवस्था को, जिसमें दुःख का कोई संबंध नहीं रहता, योग जानो। इस योग का अभ्यास दृढ़ निश्चय और बिना ऊबे, उत्साही मन से करना चाहिए।
Meaning in English
know that state, free from all contact with sorrow, to be called yoga. This yoga should be practised with firm resolve and an undiscouraged mind.
Bhagavad Gita 6.23 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| तम् | tam | that |
| विद्यात् | vidyāt | one should know |
| दुःखसंयोगवियोगम् | duḥkha-saṃyoga-viyogam | the disconnection from union with sorrow |
| योगसंज्ञितम् | yoga-saṃjñitam | called yoga |
| सः | saḥ | that |
| निश्चयेन | niścayena | with determination |
| योक्तव्यः | yoktavyaḥ | should be practised |
| योगः | yogaḥ | yoga |
| अनिर्विण्णचेतसा | anirviṇṇa-cetasā | with an undespairing mind |
Explanation
...know that to be what is called yoga: the breaking of the bond with sorrow. This yoga should be practised with firm resolve and a mind that does not lose heart. Steady effort, without growing discouraged, is the key to success.
The long sentence from 6.20 ends here with a striking definition. Yoga usually means union; here it is called a 'viyoga', a disconnection, from 'saṃyoga', contact, with sorrow. Commentators enjoy the wordplay: true union is also a separation from suffering. The second line is practical advice. Progress in meditation is slow and uneven, so the seeker needs niścaya, determination, and an 'anirviṇṇa' mind, one that does not grow weary or discouraged. Shankara stresses this persistence as essential.
भावार्थ
...उसी को योग नाम से जानना चाहिए, जो दुःख के संयोग से वियोग है। इस योग का अभ्यास दृढ़ निश्चय और उत्साह भरे, न ऊबने वाले मन से करना चाहिए।
Living it today
If your practice feels slow, keep going without judging yourself. Persistence without discouragement is itself part of the yoga.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 6.23?
...know that to be what is called yoga: the breaking of the bond with sorrow. This yoga should be practised with firm resolve and a mind that does not lose heart. Steady effort, without growing discouraged, is the key to success.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.23?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.23 in daily life?
If your practice feels slow, keep going without judging yourself. Persistence without discouragement is itself part of the yoga.
Reflected on verse 6.23?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.