Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Atma Samyama Yoga
The Yoga of Self-Control (Meditation)
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Verse 6.1
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
anāśritaḥ karma-phalaṁ kāryaṁ karma karoti yaḥ |
sa sannyāsī ca yogī ca na niragnir na cākriyaḥ ||1||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
anashritah karma-phalan karyan karma karoti yah |
sa sannyasi cha yogi cha na niragnir na chakriyah ||1||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: One who is unattached to the fruits of his work and who works as he is obligated is in the renounced order of life, and he is the true mystic, not he who lights no fire and performs no work.
Verse 6.2
yaṁ sannyāsam iti prāhur yogaṁ taṁ viddhi pāṇḍava |
na hy asannyasta-saṅkalpo yogī bhavati kaścana ||2||
yam sannyasam iti prahur yogan tam viddhi pandava |
na hy asannyasta-sankalpo yogi bhavati kashchana ||2||
Translation: What is called renunciation is the same as yoga, O son of Pandu, for no one can become a yogic practitioner unless he renounces the desire for sense gratification.
Verse 6.3
ārurukṣor muner yogaṁ karma kāraṇam ucyate |
yogārūḍhasya tasyaiva śamaḥ kāraṇam ucyate ||3||
arurukshor muner yogan karma karanam uchyate |
yogarudhasya tasyaiva shamah karanam uchyate ||3||
Translation: For one who is a neophyte in the eightfold yoga system, work is said to be the means; and for one who is already elevated in yoga, cessation of all material activities is said to be the means.
Verse 6.4
yadā hi nendriyārtheṣu na karmasv anuṣajjate |
sarva-saṅkalpa-sannyāsī yogārūḍhas tadocyate ||4||
yada hi nendriyartheshu na karmasv anushajjate |
sarva-sankalpa-sannyasi yogarudhas tadochyate ||4||
Translation: A person is said to be elevated in yoga when, having renounced all material desires, he neither acts for sense gratification nor engages in fruitive activities.
Verse 6.5
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet |
ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ ||5||
uddhared atmanatmanam natmanam avasadayet |
atmaiva hy atmano bandhur atmaiva ripur atmanah ||5||
Translation: A man must elevate himself by his own mind, not degrade himself. The mind is the friend of the conditioned soul, and his enemy as well.
Verse 6.6
bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ |
anātmanas tu śatrutve vartetātmaiva śatruvat ||6||
bandhur atmatmanas tasya yenatmaivatmana jitah |
anatmanas tu shatrutve vartetatmaiva shatruvat ||6||
Translation: For him who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, his mind will remain the greatest enemy.
Verse 6.7
jitātmanaḥ praśāntasya paramātmā samāhitaḥ |
śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkheṣu tathā mānāpamānayoḥ ||7||
jitatmanah prashantasya paramatma samahitah |
shitoshna-sukha-duhkheshu tatha manapamanayoh ||7||
Translation: One who has conquered the mind has already reached the Supersoul, for he has attained tranquility. To such a man happiness and distress, heat and cold, honor and dishonor are all the same.
Verse 6.8
jñāna-vijñāna-tṛptātmā kūṭa-stho vijitendriyaḥ |
yukta ity ucyate yogī sama-loṣṭāśma-kāñcanaḥ ||8||
jnana-vijnana-triptatma kuta-stho vijitendriyah |
yukta ity uchyate yogi sama-loshtashma-kanchanah ||8||
Translation: A person is said to be realized in self-knowledge and is called a yogic practitioner when he is fully satisfied by virtue of knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything—whether pebbles, stones or gold—as the same.
Verse 6.9
suhṛn-mitrāry-udāsīna-madhyastha-dveṣya-bandhuṣu |
sādhuṣv api ca pāpeṣu sama-buddhir viśiṣyate ||9||
suhrin-mitrary-udasina-madhyastha-dveshya-bandhushu |
sadhushv api cha papeshu sama-buddhir vishishyate ||9||
Translation: A person is considered still further advanced when he regards honest well-wishers, affectionate benefactors, the neutral, mediators, the envious, friends and enemies, the pious and the sinners all with an equal mind.
Verse 6.10
yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ |
ekākī yata-cittātmā nirāśīr aparigrahaḥ ||10||
yogi yunjita satatam atmanam rahasi sthitah |
ekaki yata-chittatma nirashir aparigrahah ||10||
Translation: A transcendentalist should always try to concentrate his mind on the Supreme; he should live alone in a secluded place, should always carefully control his mind, and should be free from desires and feelings of possessiveness.
Verse 6.11
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiram āsanam ātmanaḥ |
nātyucchritaṁ nātinīcaṁ cailājina-kuśottaram ||11||
shuchau deshe pratishthapya sthiram asanam atmanah |
natyuchchhritam natinichan chailajina-kushottaram ||11||
Translation: To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place and should lay kusha grass on the ground, then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth. The seat should be neither too high nor too low and should be situated in a sacred place.
Verse 6.12
tatraikāgraṁ manaḥ kṛtvā yata-cittendriya-kriyaḥ |
upaviśyāsane yuñjyād yogam ātma-viśuddhaye ||12||
tatraikagram manah kritva yata-chittendriya-kriyah |
upavishyasane yunjyad yogam atma-vishuddhaye ||12||
Translation: There, sitting very firmly, one should practice yoga by controlling the mind and the senses, purifying the heart to fix the mind on the self.
Verse 6.13
samaṁ kāya-śiro-grīvaṁ dhārayann acalaṁ sthiraḥ |
samprekṣya nāsikāgraṁ svaṁ diśaś cānavalokayan ||13||
saman kaya-shiro-grivan dharayann achalam sthirah |
samprekshya nasikagram svan dishash chanavalokayan ||13||
Translation: One should hold one’s body, neck and head erect in a straight line and gaze steadily at the tip of the nose, without looking in any other direction.
Verse 6.14
praśāntātmā vigata-bhīr brahmacāri-vrate sthitaḥ |
manaḥ saṁyamya mac-citto yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ ||14||
prashantatma vigata-bhir brahmachari-vrate sthitah |
manah samyamya mach-chitto yukta asita mat-parah ||14||
Translation: Thus, with an unagitated, subdued mind, devoid of fear and firm in the vow of celibacy, one should meditate upon Me within the heart and make Me the ultimate goal of life.
Verse 6.15
yuñjann evaṁ sadātmānaṁ yogī niyata-mānasaḥ |
śāntiṁ nirvāṇa-paramāṁ mat-saṁsthām adhigacchati ||15||
yunjann evam sadatmanam yogi niyata-manasah |
shantim nirvana-paramam mat-samstham adhigachchhati ||15||
Translation: Thus practicing control of the body, mind and activities, the mystic transcendentalist attains to the kingdom of God [or the abode of Krishna] by cessation of material existence.
Verse 6.16
nātyaśnatas tu yogo ’sti na caikāntam anaśnataḥ |
na cāti-svapna-śīlasya jāgrato naiva cārjuna ||16||
natyashnatas tu yogo ’sti na chaikantam anashnatah |
na chati-svapna-shilasya jagrato naiva charjuna ||16||
Translation: O Arjuna, one who eats too much, or eats too little, sleeps too much or does not sleep enough, cannot be a yogi!
Verse 6.17
yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu |
yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā ||17||
yuktahara-viharasya yukta-cheshtasya karmasu |
yukta-svapnavabodhasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha ||17||
Translation: He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all material pains by practicing the yoga system.
Verse 6.18
yadā viniyataṁ cittam ātmany evāvatiṣṭhate |
niḥspṛhaḥ sarva-kāmebhyo yukta ity ucyate tadā ||18||
yada viniyatan chittam atmany evavatishthate |
nihsprihah sarva-kamebhyo yukta ity uchyate tada ||18||
Translation: When the yogic discipline, by steady practice, becomes subdued and gets situated in the transcendental state—free from all material desires—then he is said to be well established in yoga.
Verse 6.19
yathā dīpo nivāta-stho neṅgate sopamā smṛtā |
yogino yata-cittasya yuñjato yogam ātmanaḥ ||19||
yatha dipo nivata-stho nengate sopama smrita |
yogino yata-chittasya yunjato yogam atmanah ||19||
Translation: As a lamp in a windless place does not waver, so the transcendentalist, whose mind is controlled, remains always steady in his meditation on the transcendent self.
Verse 6.20
yatroparamate cittaṁ niruddhaṁ yoga-sevayā |
yatra caivātmanātmānaṁ paśyann ātmani tuṣyati ||20||
yatroparamate chittam niruddham yoga-sevaya |
yatra chaivatmanatmanam pashyann atmani tushyati ||20||
Translation: The stage of perfection is called trance, or samadhi, in which one’s mind is completely restrained from material mental activities by practice of yoga. This is characterized by one’s ability to see the self by the pure mind and to relish and rejoice in the self.
Verse 6.21
sukham ātyantikaṁ yat tad buddhi-grāhyam atīndriyam |
vetti yatra na caivāyaṁ sthitaś calati tattvataḥ ||21||
sukham atyantikam yat tad buddhi-grahyam atindriyam |
vetti yatra na chaivayam sthitash chalati tattvatah ||21||
Translation: In that state of joy [samadhi], which is situated beyond the reach of the material senses and is grasped by the purified intellect, one experiences boundless transcendental happiness. Knowing this, one never departs from the truth.
Verse 6.22
yaṁ labdhvā cāparaṁ lābhaṁ manyate nādhikaṁ tataḥ |
yasmin sthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate ||22||
yam labdhva chaparam labham manyate nadhikan tatah |
yasmin sthito na duhkhena gurunapi vichalyate ||22||
Translation: Upon gaining this, he considers there to be no greater gain. Being established in this state, he is not shaken even by the greatest difficulty.
Verse 6.23
taṁ vidyād duḥkha-saṁyoga-viyogaṁ yoga-saṁjñitam |
sa niścayena yoktavyo yogo ’nirviṇṇa-cetasā ||23||
tam vidyad duhkha-samyoga-viyogam yoga-sanjnitam |
sa nishchayena yoktavyo yogo ’nirvinna-chetasa ||23||
Translation: This true freedom from all miseries arising from contact with material matter is what is known as yoga.
Verse 6.24
saṅkalpa-prabhavān kāmāṁs tyaktvā sarvān aśeṣataḥ |
manasaivendriya-grāmaṁ viniyamya samantataḥ ||24||
sankalpa-prabhavan kamams tyaktva sarvan asheshatah |
manasaivendriya-gramam viniyamya samantatah ||24||
Translation: Completely abandoning all material desires born of mental speculation and controlling the senses from all sides by the mind…
Verse 6.25
śanaiḥ śanair uparamed buddhyā dhṛti-gṛhītayā |
ātma-saṁsthaṁ manaḥ kṛtvā na kiñcid api cintayet ||25||
shanaih shanair uparamed buddhya dhriti-grihitaya |
atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet ||25||
Translation: Step by step, with full conviction held by the intelligence, one should fix the mind on the Self alone and should not think of anything else.
Verse 6.26
yato yato niścarati manaś cañcalam asthiram |
tatas tato niyamyaitad ātmany eva vaśaṁ nayet ||26||
yato yato nishcharati manash chanchalam asthiram |
tatas tato niyamyaitad atmany eva vasham nayet ||26||
Translation: From wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders due to its flickering nature, one must subdue it and bring it back under the control of the Self alone.
Verse 6.27
praśānta-manasaṁ hy enaṁ yoginaṁ sukham uttamam |
upaiti śānta-rajasaṁ brahma-bhūtam akalmaṣam ||27||
prashanta-manasam hy enam yoginam sukham uttamam |
upaiti shanta-rajasam brahma-bhutam akalmasham ||27||
Translation: Supreme transcendental happiness comes to the yogi whose mind is thus calmed, whose passions are quieted, who is freed from sin, and who is identified with the Supreme.
Verse 6.28
yuñjann evaṁ sadātmānaṁ yogī vigata-kalmaṣaḥ |
sukhena brahma-saṁsparśam atyantaṁ sukham aśnute ||28||
yunjann evam sadatmanam yogi vigata-kalmashah |
sukhena brahma-samsparsham atyantam sukham ashnute ||28||
Translation: Thus constantly engaging his mind in the practice of yoga, the sinless yogi achieves the highest stage of perfect happiness in touch with the Supreme.
Verse 6.29
sarva-bhūta-stham ātmānaṁ sarva-bhūtāni cātmani |
īkṣate yoga-yuktātmā sarvatra sama-darśanaḥ ||29||
sarva-bhuta-stham atmanam sarva-bhutani chatmani |
ikshate yoga-yuktatma sarvatra sama-darshanah ||29||
Translation: A true yogi observes Me in all beings and also sees every being in Me. Indeed, the self-realized man sees Me, the same Supreme Lord, everywhere.
Verse 6.30
yo māṁ paśyati sarvatra sarvaṁ ca mayi paśyati |
tasyāhaṁ na praṇaśyāmi sa ca me na praṇaśyati ||30||
yo mam pashyati sarvatra sarvan cha mayi pashyati |
tasyaham na pranashyami sa cha me na pranashyati ||30||
Translation: For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.
Verse 6.31
sarva-bhūta-sthitaṁ yo māṁ bhajaty ekatvam āsthitaḥ |
sarvathā vartamāno ’pi sa yogī mayi vartate ||31||
sarva-bhuta-sthitam yo mam bhajaty ekatvam asthitah |
sarvatha vartamano ’pi sa yogi mayi vartate ||31||
Translation: Such a yogi, who worships Me situated in all beings and realizes that we are one, remains always in Me, under all circumstances.
Verse 6.32
ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśyati yo ’rjuna |
sukhaṁ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṁ sa yogī paramo mataḥ ||32||
atmaupamyena sarvatra samam pashyati yo ’rjuna |
sukham va yadi va duhkham sa yogi paramo matah ||32||
Translation: He is a perfect yogi who, by comparison to his own self, sees the true equality of all beings, in both their happiness and their distress, O Arjuna.
Verse 6.33
arjuna uvāca
yo ’yaṁ yogas tvayā proktaḥ sāmyena madhusūdana |
etasyāhaṁ na paśyāmi cañcalatvāt sthitiṁ sthirām ||33||
arjuna uvacha
yo ’yam yogas tvaya proktah samyena madhusudana |
etasyaham na pashyami chanchalatvat sthitim sthiram ||33||
Translation: Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, the system of yoga which You have summarized appears impractical and unendurable to me, for the mind is restless and unsteady.
Verse 6.34
cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad dṛḍham |
tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva suduṣkaram ||34||
chanchalam hi manah krishna pramathi balavad dridham |
tasyaham nigraham manye vayor iva sudushkaram ||34||
Translation: For the mind is restless, turbulent, obstinate and very strong, O Krishna, and to subdue it, I think, is more difficult than controlling the wind.
Verse 6.35
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
asaṁśayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ calam |
abhyāsena tu kaunteya vairāgyeṇa ca gṛhyate ||35||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
asamshayam maha-baho mano durnigrahan chalam |
abhyasena tu kaunteya vairagyena cha grihyate ||35||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: O mighty-armed son of Kunti, it is undoubtedly very difficult to curb the restless mind. But it is possible by suitable practice and by detachment.
Verse 6.36
asaṁyatātmanā yogo duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ |
vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyo ’vāptum upāyataḥ ||36||
asamyatatmana yogo dushprapa iti me matih |
vashyatmana tu yatata shakyo ’vaptum upayatah ||36||
Translation: For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by right means is assured of success. That is My opinion.
Verse 6.37
arjuna uvāca
ayatiḥ śraddhayopeto yogāc calita-mānasaḥ |
aprāpya yoga-saṁsiddhiṁ kāṁ gatiṁ kṛṣṇa gacchati ||37||
arjuna uvacha
ayatih shraddhayopeto yogach chalita-manasah |
aprapya yoga-samsiddhin kan gatin krishna gachchhati ||37||
Translation: Arjuna said: What is the destination of the transcendentalist who takes up the path of self-realization with faith but, lacking sufficient endeavor, falters and fails to reach perfection in yoga, O Krishna?
Verse 6.38
kaccin nobhayavibhraṣṭaś chinnābhram iva naśyati |
apratiṣṭho mahā-bāho vimūḍho brahmaṇaḥ pathi ||38||
kachchin nobhayavibhrashtash chhinnabhram iva nashyati |
apratishtho maha-baho vimudho brahmanah pathi ||38||
Translation: Does not such a man, who is bewildered in the path of transcendence, fall away from both spiritual and material success and perish like a riven cloud, supporting no position?
Verse 6.39
etan me saṁśayaṁ kṛṣṇa chettum arhasy aśeṣataḥ |
tvadanyaḥ saṁśayasyāsya chettā na hy upapadyate ||39||
etan me samshayan krishna chhettum arhasy asheshatah |
tvadanyah samshayasyasya chhetta na hy upapadyate ||39||
Translation: This is my doubt, O Krishna, and I ask You to dispel it completely. Other than You, no one is to be found who can destroy this doubt.
Verse 6.40
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
pārtha naiveha nāmutra vināśas tasya vidyate |
na hi kalyāṇa-kṛt kaścid durgatiṁ tāta gacchati ||40||
shri-bhagavan uvacha
partha naiveha namutra vinashas tasya vidyate |
na hi kalyana-krit kashchid durgatin tata gachchhati ||40||
Translation: The Supreme Lord said: Son of Pritha, a transcendentalist engaged in auspicious activities does not meet with destruction either in this world or in the spiritual world; one who does good, My dear friend, is never overcome by evil.
Verse 6.41
prāpya puṇya-kṛtāṁ lokān uṣitvā śāśvatīḥ samāḥ |
śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣṭo ’bhijāyate ||41||
prapya punya-kritam lokan ushitva shashvatih samah |
shuchinam shrimatan gehe yoga-bhrashto ’bhijayate ||41||
Translation: The unsuccessful yogi, after many, many years of enjoyment on the planets of the pious living entities, is born into a family of righteous people or into a family of rich aristocracy.
Verse 6.42
athavā yoginām eva kule bhavati dhīmatām |
etad dhi durlabhataraṁ loke janma yad īdṛśam ||42||
athava yoginam eva kule bhavati dhimatam |
etad dhi durlabhataram loke janma yad idrisham ||42||
Translation: Or he is born in a family of wise yogis. Such a birth is indeed rare in this world.
Verse 6.43
tatra taṁ buddhi-saṁyogaṁ labhate paurva-dehikam |
yatate ca tato bhūyaḥ saṁsiddhau kuru-nandana ||43||
tatra tam buddhi-samyogam labhate paurva-dehikam |
yatate cha tato bhuyah samsiddhau kuru-nandana ||43||
Translation: On taking such a birth, he revives the divine consciousness of his previous life, and he tries to make further progress in order to achieve complete success, O son of Kuru.
Verse 6.44
pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva hriyate hy avaśo ’pi saḥ |
jijñāsur api yogasya śabda-brahmātivartate ||44||
purvabhyasena tenaiva hriyate hy avasho ’pi sah |
jijnasur api yogasya shabda-brahmativartate ||44||
Translation: By virtue of the divine consciousness of his previous life, he automatically becomes attracted to the yogic principles—even without seeking them. Such an inquisitive transcendentalist stands always above the ritualistic principles of the scriptures.
Verse 6.45
prayatnād yatamānas tu yogī saṁśuddha-kilbiṣaḥ |
aneka-janma-saṁsiddhas tato yāti parāṁ gatim ||45||
prayatnad yatamanas tu yogi samshuddha-kilbishah |
aneka-janma-samsiddhas tato yati paran gatim ||45||
Translation: And when the yogi engages himself with sincere endeavor in making further progress, being washed of all contaminations, then, ultimately, achieving perfection after many, many births of practice, he reaches the supreme goal.
Verse 6.46
tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogī jñānibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikaḥ |
karmibhyaś cādhiko yogī tasmād yogī bhavārjuna ||46||
tapasvibhyo ’dhiko yogi jnanibhyo ’pi mato ’dhikah |
karmibhyash chadhiko yogi tasmad yogi bhavarjuna ||46||
Translation: A yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the empiric philosopher and greater than the fruitive worker. Therefore, in all circumstances, be a yogi, O Arjuna.
Verse 6.47
yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā |
śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ sa me yuktatamo mataḥ ||47||
yoginam api sarvesham mad-gatenantar-atmana |
shraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo matah ||47||
Translation: And of all yogis, the one with great faith who always abides in Me, thinks of Me within himself, and renders transcendental loving service to Me—he is most intimately united with Me in yoga and is the highest of all. That is My opinion.