Bhagavad Gita · Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga
Bhagavad Gita 6.34 चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्
श्लोक 6.34
चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद् दृढम् ।
तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् ॥
cañcalaṃ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad dṛḍham |
tasyāhaṃ nigrahaṃ manye vāyoriva suduṣkaram ||
हिन्दी अर्थ
हे कृष्ण, यह मन बड़ा चंचल, उथल-पुथल मचाने वाला, बलवान और हठी है। मुझे इसे वश में करना वायु को रोकने के समान अत्यंत कठिन लगता है।
Meaning in English
For the mind is restless, O Krishna, turbulent, powerful and stubborn. I think controlling it is as hard as controlling the wind.
Bhagavad Gita 6.34 — word by word
| Word | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| चञ्चलम् | cañcalam | restless |
| हि | hi | indeed |
| मनः | manaḥ | the mind |
| कृष्ण | kṛṣṇa | O Krishna |
| प्रमाथि | pramāthi | turbulent, churning |
| बलवत् | balavat | powerful |
| दृढम् | dṛḍham | obstinate |
| तस्य | tasya | of it |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| निग्रहम् | nigraham | control |
| मन्ये | manye | think |
| वायोः इव | vāyoḥ iva | like that of the wind |
| सुदुष्करम् | suduṣkaram | extremely difficult |
Explanation
For the mind is restless, O Krishna, turbulent, powerful and obstinate. To control it, I think, is as hard as controlling the wind. Arjuna is not rejecting the teaching; he is honestly describing how hard the mind is to hold still, as every beginner discovers.
Arjuna piles up four adjectives: cañcala, flickering and restless; pramāthi, churning and agitating the senses and body; balavat, strong; and dṛḍha, stubborn and hard to bend. The comparison with the wind is apt: one cannot grasp it or tie it down. Commentators note that Arjuna, the great archer famed for his concentration, still finds the mind beyond his control, which makes his confession all the more relatable. Krishna's reply in 6.35 does not deny the difficulty but offers a method.
भावार्थ
हे कृष्ण! यह मन बड़ा चंचल, मथ डालने वाला, बलवान और हठी है। इसे वश में करना मैं वायु को रोकने के समान अत्यन्त कठिन मानता हूँ। यह हर साधक का अनुभव है।
Living it today
If your mind feels like a storm, you are in good company. Even Arjuna felt this way, and the next verse shows there is a way through.
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of Bhagavad Gita 6.34?
For the mind is restless, O Krishna, turbulent, powerful and obstinate. To control it, I think, is as hard as controlling the wind. Arjuna is not rejecting the teaching; he is honestly describing how hard the mind is to hold still, as every beginner discovers.
Who speaks Bhagavad Gita 6.34?
Arjuna speaks this verse, in Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) of the Bhagavad Gita.
How can I apply Bhagavad Gita 6.34 in daily life?
If your mind feels like a storm, you are in good company. Even Arjuna felt this way, and the next verse shows there is a way through.
Reflected on verse 6.34?
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