Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6
Author Kedi Ganapati
Shloka 6:1
अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः ।
स संन्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः ॥ ६:१ ॥
anashritah karma-phalam karyam karma karoti yah
sa sannyasi cha yogi cha na niragnir na chakriyah
Translation
The Blessed Lord said: One who performs the action that ought to be done without depending on the fruits of action is a true renunciant and a yogi, not one who merely gives up sacred fire or abandons action.
Conversation
Shloka 6:2
न ह्यसंन्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन ॥ ६:२ ॥
na hy asannyasta-sankalpo yogi bhavati kashchana
Translation
O Pandava, know that what is called renunciation is indeed yoga. For no one becomes a yogi without renouncing selfish desires and personal resolve.
Conversation
Shloka 6:3
योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते ॥ ६:३ ॥
yogarudhasya tasyaiva shamah karanam uchyate
Translation
For the sage who seeks to attain yoga, action is said to be the means; for one who has attained yoga, tranquility alone is said to be the means.
Conversation
Shloka 6:4
सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते ॥ ६:४ ॥
sarva-sankalpa-sannyasi yogarudhas tadocyate
Translation
When one is no longer attached to the objects of the senses nor to actions, having renounced all selfish desires, then one is said to be established in yoga.
Conversation
Shloka 6:5
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः ॥ ६:५ ॥
atmaiva hy atmano bandhur atmaiva ripur atmanah
Translation
One should uplift oneself by oneself and should not degrade oneself. For the self alone is one's friend, and the self alone is one's enemy.
Conversation
Shloka 6:6
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत् ॥ ६:६ ॥
text-align: center;anatmanas tu shatrutve vartetatmaiva shatruvat
Translation
For one who has conquered oneself, the self is a friend. But for one who has not mastered oneself, the self behaves like an enemy.
Conversation
Shloka 6:7
शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु तथा मानापमानयोः ॥ ६:७ ॥
shitoshna-sukha-duhkheshu tatha mana-apamanayoh
Translation
The Supreme Self is firmly established in one who has conquered oneself and is peaceful, remaining steady amid cold and heat, pleasure and pain, as well as honor and dishonor.
Conversation
Shloka 6:8
युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः ॥ ६:८ ॥
yukta ity uchyate yogi sama-loshta-ashma-kanchanah
Translation
A yogi whose self is satisfied with knowledge and realization, who remains steady, has mastered the senses, and regards a clod of earth, a stone, and gold alike, is said to be united in yoga.
Conversation
Shloka 6:9
साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते ॥ ६:९ ॥
sadhushv api cha papeshu sama-buddhir vishishyate
Translation
One who has equal understanding toward a well-wisher, a friend, an enemy, a neutral person, a mediator, the hateful, a relative, the righteous, and even the sinful excels.
Conversation
Shloka 6:10
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः ॥ ६:१० ॥
ekaki yata-chittatma nirashir aparigrahah
Translation
Let the yogi constantly discipline oneself while staying in a secluded place, alone, with mind and self controlled, free from desires and possessions.
Conversation
Shloka 6:11
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥ ६:११ ॥
natyuchchhritam natinicham chaila-ajina-kushottaram
Translation
In a clean place, let one establish a firm seat for oneself, neither too high nor too low, covered with cloth, deer skin, and kusa grass one over the other.
Conversation
Shloka 6:12
उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धye ॥ ६:१२ ॥
upavishyasane yunjyad yogam atma-vishuddhaye
Translation
Seated there on the seat, with the mind made one-pointed and the activities of the mind and senses controlled, one should practice yoga for the purification of the self.
Conversation
Shloka 6:13
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥ ६:१३ ॥
samprekshya nasikagram svam dishash chanavalokayan
Translation
Holding the body, head, and neck erect and steady, remaining motionless, and fixing the gaze on the tip of one's nose without looking in any direction.
Conversation
Shloka 6:14
मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥ ६:१४ ॥
manah samyamya mach-chitto yukta asita mat-parah
Translation
With a peaceful self, free from fear, established in the vow of self-restraint, controlling the mind, and fixing the mind on Me, one should sit, devoted to Me as the supreme goal.
Conversation
Shloka 6:15
शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ॥ ६:१५ ॥
shantim nirvana-paramam mat-samstham adhigacchati
Translation
Thus constantly disciplining oneself, with the mind controlled, the yogi attains supreme peace, the state of liberation, abiding in Me.
Conversation
Shloka 6:16
न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥ ६:१६ ॥
na chati-svapna-shilasya jagrato naiva charjuna
Translation
O Arjuna, yoga is not for one who eats too much, nor for one who does not eat at all; neither for one who sleeps excessively nor for one who remains always awake.
Conversation
Shloka 6:17
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥ ६:१७ ॥
yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha
Translation
For one who is moderate in food and recreation, balanced in actions, and regulated in sleep and wakefulness, yoga becomes the destroyer of sorrow.
Conversation
Shloka 6:18
निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ॥ ६:१८ ॥
nihsprihah sarva-kamebhyo yukta ity uchyate tada
Translation
When the disciplined mind rests in the self alone, free from longing for all desires, then one is said to be established in yoga.
Conversation
Shloka 6:19
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः ॥ ६:१९ ॥
yogino yata-chittasya yunjato yogam atmanah
Translation
Just as a lamp in a windless place does not flicker, such is the comparison for the yogi whose controlled mind remains absorbed in yoga.
Conversation
Shloka 6:20
यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ॥ ६:२० ॥
yatra chaivatmanatmanam pashyann atmani tushyati
Translation
When the mind, restrained through the practice of yoga, comes to rest, and one sees the self by the self and rejoices in the self alone.
Conversation
Shloka 6:21
वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः ॥ ६:२१ ॥
vetti yatra na chaivayam sthitash chalati tattvatah
Translation
There one experiences the supreme happiness, grasped by the intellect and beyond the senses. Established in that state, one never departs from the truth.
Conversation
Shloka 6:22
यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते ॥ ६:२२ ॥
yasmin sthito na duhkhena gurunapi vichalyate
Translation
Having attained which, one considers no other gain greater than it; established in which, one is not shaken even by the greatest sorrow.
Conversation
Shloka 6:23
स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा ॥ ६:२३ ॥
sa nishchayena yoktavyo yogo'nirvinna-chetasa
Translation
Know that state, the separation from union with sorrow, to be called yoga. This yoga should be practiced with determination and an undiscouraged mind.
Conversation
Shloka 6:24
मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः ॥ ६:२४ ॥
manasaivendriya-gramam viniyamya samantatah
Translation
Completely abandoning all desires arising from mental imagination, and restraining the entire group of senses by the mind from every side.
Conversation
Shloka 6:25
आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥ ६:२५ ॥
atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet
Translation
Gradually, little by little, one should become tranquil through the intellect held with firmness. Fixing the mind in the self, one should think of nothing else.
Conversation
Shloka 6:26
ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत् ॥ ६:2६ ॥
tatas tato niyamyaitad atmany eva vasham nayet
Translation
Wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, from there one should restrain it and bring it back under the control of the self alone.
Conversation
Shloka 6:27
उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम् ॥ ६:२७ ॥
upaiti shanta-rajasam brahma-bhutam akalmasham
Translation
Supreme happiness comes to this yogi whose mind is peaceful, whose passions are calmed, who has become one with Brahman, and who is free from impurity.
Conversation
Shloka 6:28
सुखेन ब्रह्मसंस्पर्शमत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते ॥ ६:२८ ॥
sukhena brahma-samsparsham atyantam sukham ashnute
Translation
Thus constantly disciplining oneself, the yogi, free from impurity, easily attains the infinite happiness arising from contact with Brahman.
Conversation
Shloka 6:29
ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः ॥ ६:२९ ॥
ikshate yoga-yuktatma sarvatra sama-darshanah
Translation
One whose self is united through yoga sees the self abiding in all beings and all beings abiding in the self, seeing equally everywhere.
Conversation
Shloka 6:30
तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति ॥ ६:३० ॥
tasyaham na pranashyami sa cha me na pranashyati
Translation
One who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me—for that person I am never lost, nor is that person ever lost to Me.
Conversation
Shloka 6:31
सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते ॥ ६:३१ ॥
sarvatha vartamano'pi sa yogi myi vartate
Translation
One who worships Me as abiding in all beings, established in oneness, that yogi dwells in Me, whatever may be one's mode of living.
Conversation
Shloka 6:32
सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं स योगी परमो मतः ॥ ६:३२ ॥
sukham va yadi va duhkham sa yogi paramo matah
Translation
O Arjuna, one who sees equally everywhere, comparing others with oneself, whether in happiness or in sorrow, is regarded as the highest yogi.
Conversation
Shloka 6:33
योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्तः साम्येन मधुसूदन ।
एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात्स्थितिं स्थिराम् ॥ ६:३३ ॥
yo'yam yogas tvaya proktah samyena madhusudana
etasyaham na pashyami chanchalatvat sthitim sthiram
Translation
Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, this yoga of equanimity which You have taught—I do not see how it can remain steady because the mind is so restless.
Conversation
Shloka 6:34
तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् ॥ ६:३४ ॥
tasyaham nigraham manye vayor iva sudushkaram
Translation
For the mind is truly restless, turbulent, powerful, and obstinate, O Krishna. I think controlling it is as difficult as controlling the wind.
Conversation
Shloka 6:35
असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम् ।
अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते ॥ ६:३५ ॥
asamshayam maha-baho mano durnigraham chalam
abhyasena tu kaunteya vairagyena cha grihyate
Translation
The Blessed Lord said: Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed one, the mind is difficult to control and restless. Yet, O Kaunteya, it is restrained by practice and detachment.
Conversation
Shloka 6:36
वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः ॥ ६:३६ ॥
vashyatmana tu yatata shakyo'vaptum upayatah
Translation
In My opinion, yoga is difficult to attain for one whose mind is uncontrolled. But for one who has mastered oneself and strives by the proper means, it can be attained.
Conversation
Shloka 6:37
अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः ।
अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति ॥ ६:३७ ॥
ayatih shraddhayopeto yogach chalita-manasah
aprapya yoga-samsiddhim kam gatim krishna gachchhati
Translation
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what is the fate of one who has faith but lacks perseverance, whose mind strays from yoga before attaining perfection?
Conversation
Shloka 6:38
अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि ॥ ६:३८ ॥
apratistho maha-baho vimudho brahmanah pathi
Translation
O mighty-armed one, does such a person, fallen from both paths and without support, perish like a scattered cloud, bewildered on the path to Brahman?
Conversation
Shloka 6:39
त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते ॥ ६:३९ ॥
tvad anyah samshayasya asya chetta na hy upapadyate
Translation
O Krishna, please completely dispel this doubt of mine, for no one other than You can remove this doubt.
Conversation
Shloka 6:40
पार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते ।
न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्चिद्दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति ॥ ६:४० ॥
partha naiveha namutra vinashas tasya vidyate
na hi kalyana-krit kashchid durgatim tata gachchhati
Translation
The Blessed Lord said: O Partha, neither in this world nor in the next is there destruction for such a person. One who does good never comes to an unfortunate end.
Conversation
Shloka 6:41
शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते ॥ ६:४१ ॥
shuchinam shrimatam gehe yoga-bhrashto'bhijayate
Translation
Having attained the worlds of the righteous and dwelt there for many years, one who has fallen from yoga is born again in the home of the pure and prosperous.
Conversation
Shloka 6:42
एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् ॥ ६:४२ ॥
etad dhi durlabhataram loke janma yad idrisham
Translation
Or one is born into the family of wise yogis. Such a birth is indeed very rare in this world.
Conversation
Shloka 6:43
यतते च ततो भूयः संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन ॥ ६:४३ ॥
yatate cha tato bhuyah samsiddhau kuru-nandana
Translation
There one regains the spiritual understanding acquired in the previous body and strives again for perfection, O joy of the Kurus.
Conversation
Shloka 6:44
जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ॥ ६:४४ ॥
jijnasur api yogasya shabda-brahmativartate
Translation
By the force of previous practice, one is carried forward even against one's will. Even the seeker of yoga goes beyond the mere ritualistic teachings of the Vedas.
Conversation
Shloka 6:45
अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥ ६:४५ ॥
aneka-janma-samsiddhas tato yati param gatim
Translation
But the yogi, striving diligently and purified of faults, perfected through many births, finally reaches the supreme goal.
Conversation
Shloka 6:46
कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ॥ ६:४६ ॥
karmibhyash chadhiko yogi tasmad yogi bhavarjuna
Translation
The yogi is considered superior to ascetics, superior even to those of knowledge, and superior to those devoted merely to action. Therefore, O Arjuna, become a yogi.
Conversation
Shloka 6:47
श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः ॥ ६:४७ ॥
shraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo matah
Translation
Among all yogis, the one who, with inner self absorbed in Me, worships Me with faith is considered by Me to be the most perfectly united in yoga.
Conversation
Note: Every interpretation published here is the original work of Kedi Ganapati alone. No other author, commentator, or interpreter has contributed to these explanations. These interpretations are based on Kedi Ganapati's own understanding of the Bhagavad Gita's verses through personal study, research, wisdom, and experience.
