Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 6.25 शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया
श्लोक 6.25
शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया ।
आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥
śanaiḥ śanairuparamed buddhyā dhṛtigṛhītayā |
ātmasaṃsthaṃ manaḥ kṛtvā na kiñcidapi cintayet ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
धैर्य से दृढ़ की हुई बुद्धि द्वारा धीरे-धीरे शांत होता जाए। मन को आत्मा में स्थिर करके किसी भी अन्य वस्तु का चिंतन न करे।
Meaning in English
one should gradually become still, with the intellect held firm by steadiness. Settling the mind in the Self, one should think of nothing else at all.
Bhagavad Gita 6.25 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| शनैः शनैः | śanaiḥ śanaiḥ | little by little, gradually |
| उपरमेत् | uparamet | should come to rest |
| बुद्ध्या | buddhyā | with the intellect |
| धृतिगृहीतया | dhṛti-gṛhītayā | held firm by steadiness |
| आत्मसंस्थम् | ātma-saṃstham | established in the Self |
| मनः | manaḥ | the mind |
| कृत्वा | kṛtvā | making |
| न किञ्चित् अपि | na kiñcit api | not anything at all |
| चिन्तयेत् | cintayet | should think of |
Explanation
...little by little one should come to rest, with the intellect held firm by steadiness. Having made the mind abide in the Self, one should not think of anything else at all. Stillness is reached gently and patiently, not by force.
The key words are 'śanaiḥ śanaiḥ', gradually. Krishna does not demand instant stillness; the mind is to be settled slowly, the way a ruffled pond calms. Buddhi, held by dhṛti or firmness, guides the process. 'Not thinking of anything' is read by Shankara as not dwelling on anything other than the Self, rather than a forced blank. Many teachers note that trying to stop thought violently only stirs it more; patient, gentle return is the method, which the next verse (6.26) makes explicit.
भावार्थ
...धीरे-धीरे धैर्यपूर्वक बुद्धि द्वारा मन को शान्त करे, और मन को आत्मा में स्थिर करके फिर कुछ भी अन्य चिन्तन न करे। मन को बलपूर्वक नहीं, धैर्य से शान्त करना है।
Living it today
Do not fight your thoughts in meditation. Let them settle slowly, the way muddy water clears when you stop stirring it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 6.25?
...little by little one should come to rest, with the intellect held firm by steadiness. Having made the mind abide in the Self, one should not think of anything else at all. Stillness is reached gently and patiently, not by force.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.25?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.25 in daily life?
Do not fight your thoughts in meditation. Let them settle slowly, the way muddy water clears when you stop stirring it.
Reflected on verse 6.25?
Light a diya, add a note, or share this verse.