Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 6.3 आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते
श्लोक 6.3
आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते ।
योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते ॥
ārurukṣormuneryogaṃ karma kāraṇamucyate |
yogārūḍhasya tasyaiva śamaḥ kāraṇamucyate ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
जो साधक योग की ऊँचाई पर चढ़ना चाहता है, उसके लिए कर्म ही साधन कहा गया है। और जब वही योग में स्थित हो जाता है, तब उसके लिए शांति ही साधन कही गई है।
Meaning in English
For the seeker who wishes to climb to yoga, action is said to be the means. For that same person, once established in yoga, calmness is said to be the means.
Bhagavad Gita 6.3 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| आरुरुक्षोः | ārurukṣoḥ | of one who wishes to climb |
| मुनेः | muneḥ | of the sage |
| योगम् | yogam | to yoga |
| कर्म | karma | action |
| कारणम् | kāraṇam | the means |
| उच्यते | ucyate | is said to be |
| योगारूढस्य | yoga-ārūḍhasya | of one who has climbed to yoga |
| तस्य एव | tasya eva | of that same person |
| शमः | śamaḥ | calm, stillness |
| कारणम् | kāraṇam | the means |
| उच्यते | ucyate | is said to be |
Explanation
For the sage who wishes to climb to yoga, action is said to be the means. For that same person, once he has climbed to yoga, calm is said to be the means. Effort carries one up; inner stillness keeps one there.
The image is of climbing a hill: there is the climb and there is staying at the top. Action done selflessly purifies the mind and carries one upward; once one is established, inner stillness keeps one there. Shankara reads śama as the withdrawal from all action, so that the established yogi becomes a renunciant. Tilak, arguing that action never ends for the wise, reads it differently: calm becomes the ground from which action continues for the good of the world. Both agree that action and stillness each have their stage.
भावार्थ
जो मुनि योग में आरूढ़ होना चाहता है, उसके लिए कर्म को साधन कहा गया है; और योग में आरूढ़ हो जाने पर उसी के लिए शम (मन की शान्ति) को साधन कहा गया है।
Living it today
When you are starting out, do the work and the practice. As you grow steadier, protect that steadiness: it becomes the source of everything else you do.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 6.3?
For the sage who wishes to climb to yoga, action is said to be the means. For that same person, once he has climbed to yoga, calm is said to be the means. Effort carries one up; inner stillness keeps one there.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.3?
Sri Krishna speaks this verse, in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.3 in daily life?
When you are starting out, do the work and the practice. As you grow steadier, protect that steadiness: it becomes the source of everything else you do.
Reflected on verse 6.3?
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