Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga
Path of Meditation
This is the Gita's chapter on meditation practice. Krishna describes the seat, the posture, the steady gaze, and the moderation in eating, sleeping and working that makes yoga possible. He calls the mind both friend and enemy — friend to one who has mastered it, enemy to one who has not — and when Arjuna protests that the mind is as hard to hold as the wind, Krishna agrees, but says it is subdued by practice and dispassion. He ends by assuring Arjuna that no effort toward yoga is ever lost, even across lifetimes.
All 47 verses of Chapter 6
Verse 6.1
श्रीभगवानुवाच । अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः । स संन्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः ॥
śrī bhagavān uvāca. anāśritaḥ karmaphalaṁ kāryaṁ karma karoti yaḥ, sa sannyāsī ca yogī ca na niragnir na cākriyaḥ.
The Supreme Lord said: One who performs their prescribed duty without depending on the results is a true renunciate and yogi—not one who has merely given up fire rituals or all activity.
Life lesson: Show up fully for today's responsibilities—real freedom comes from how lightly you hold the outcome, not from avoiding the work.
Read verse 6.1 in full →Verse 6.2
यं संन्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव । न ह्यसंन्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन ॥
yaṁ sannyāsam iti prāhur yogaṁ taṁ viddhi pāṇḍava, na hy asannyastasaṅkalpo yogī bhavati kaścana.
What is called renunciation, O Pandava, know that to be Yoga itself; for no one becomes a yogi without renouncing selfish desire.
Life lesson: Notice one selfish craving today and simply set it down—that small letting go is yoga in action.
Read verse 6.2 in full →Verse 6.3
आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते । योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते ॥
ārurukṣor muner yogaṁ karma kāraṇam ucyate, yogārūḍhasya tasyaiva śamaḥ kāraṇam ucyate.
For the sage who wishes to climb to Yoga, action is said to be the means; for one who has already attained Yoga, stillness is said to be the means.
Life lesson: Don't judge your practice by someone else's stage—work where you are, whether that means doing more or doing less.
Read verse 6.3 in full →Verse 6.4
यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते । सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते ॥
yadā hi nendriyārtheṣu na karmasv anuṣajjate, sarvasaṅkalpasannyāsī yogārūḍhas tadocyate.
When one is no longer attached to sense objects or to actions, having renounced all selfish desire, then one is said to have attained Yoga.
Life lesson: Do what today asks of you, but watch for the moment craving tries to steer you—that's where your real practice lives.
Read verse 6.4 in full →Verse 6.5
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्
uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet
Elevate yourself through the power of your mind.
Life lesson: No one else can build your discipline for you — start today by treating yourself with a little more patience.
Read verse 6.5 in full →Verse 6.6
बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः
bandhur ātmātmanas tasya yenātmaivātmanā jitaḥ
For one who has conquered the mind, the mind is the best of friends; but for one who has failed to do so, the mind works like an enemy.
Life lesson: The next time your mind spirals into worry, gently steer it back — you're training a friend, not fighting an enemy.
Read verse 6.6 in full →Verse 6.7
जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः । शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु तथा मानापमानयोः ॥
jitātmanaḥ praśāntasya paramātmā samāhitaḥ, śītoṣṇasukhaduḥkheṣu tathā mānāpamānayoḥ.
For one who has conquered the mind and attained peace, the Supreme Self remains steadily realized, equally through cold and heat, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor.
Life lesson: When praise or blame comes your way today, let it pass through without shaking your center.
Read verse 6.7 in full →Verse 6.8
ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रियः । युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः ॥
jñānavijñānatṛptātmā kūṭastho vijitendriyaḥ, yukta ity ucyate yogī samaloṣṭāśmakāñcanaḥ.
The one whose mind is satisfied by knowledge and realization, who is unshaken and has mastered the senses, who sees a lump of earth, a stone, and gold as the same—that person is called a true yogi.
Life lesson: Notice today how much of your mood depends on possessions or comparisons—then quietly loosen that grip.
Read verse 6.8 in full →Verse 6.9
सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु । साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते ॥
suhṛnmitrāryudāsīnamadhyasthadveṣyabandhuṣu, sādhuṣv api ca pāpeṣu samabuddhir viśiṣyate.
One who regards with equal mind well-wishers, friends, enemies, the neutral, mediators, the hateful, relatives, saints, and even sinners, stands supreme.
Life lesson: Try meeting one difficult person today with the same calm you'd give a friend.
Read verse 6.9 in full →Verse 6.10
योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः । एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः ॥
yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ, ekākī yatacittātmā nirāśīr aparigrahaḥ.
Let the yogi constantly engage the mind in meditation, remaining in solitude, alone, with mind and body controlled, free from desire and possessiveness.
Life lesson: Carve out even a few quiet, undistracted minutes today just for your own mind.
Read verse 6.10 in full →Verse 6.11
शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः । नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya sthiram āsanam ātmanaḥ, nātyucchritaṁ nātinīcaṁ cailājinakuśottaram.
In a clean place, one should establish a firm seat for oneself—neither too high nor too low—covered with cloth, deerskin, and kusha grass.
Life lesson: Set up one small, dedicated spot for your own quiet practice today—the environment supports the mind.
Read verse 6.11 in full →Verse 6.12
तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः । उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये ॥
tatraikāgraṁ manaḥ kṛtvā yatacittendriyakriyaḥ, upaviśyāsane yuñjyād yogam ātmaviśuddhaye.
Sitting there, with mind one-pointed and senses and activities controlled, one should practice Yoga for the purification of the self.
Life lesson: When your attention scatters today, gently gather it back to one thing rather than chasing every distraction.
Read verse 6.12 in full →Verse 6.13
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः । सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥
samaṁ kāyaśirogrīvaṁ dhārayann acalaṁ sthiraḥ, samprekṣya nāsikāgraṁ svaṁ diśaś cānavalokayan.
Holding the body, head, and neck erect and still, steady, gazing at the tip of one's own nose, without looking around in other directions.
Life lesson: Before your next stressful moment today, pause and let your posture settle first—the mind often follows the body.
Read verse 6.13 in full →Verse 6.14
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः । मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥
praśāntātmā vigatabhīr brahmacārivrate sthitaḥ, manaḥ saṁyamya maccitto yukta āsīta matparaḥ.
Serene in mind, free from fear, firm in the vow of a celibate student, controlling the mind and fixing it on Me, one should sit as a devoted yogi, absorbed in Me.
Life lesson: Give your restless mind one steady point to return to today, whether that's a breath, a name, or a quiet intention.
Read verse 6.14 in full →Verse 6.15
युञ्जन्नेवं सदाऽऽत्मानं योगी नियतमानसः । शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ॥
yuñjann evaṁ sadātmānaṁ yogī niyatamānasaḥ, śāntiṁ nirvāṇaparamāṁ matsaṁsthām adhigacchati.
Thus constantly engaging the mind in meditation, the yogi of disciplined mind attains the supreme peace that culminates in liberation and abides in Me.
Life lesson: Small, steady practice today matters more than one perfect session—show up again tomorrow too.
Read verse 6.15 in full →Verse 6.16
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः । न चाति स्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥
nātyaśnatas tu yogo 'sti na caikāntam anaśnataḥ na cāti svapna-śīlasya jāgrato naiva cārjuna
Yoga is not possible for one who eats too much or too little, nor for one who sleeps too much or too little, O Arjuna.
Life lesson: Give your body sensible care today — enough rest, enough food — balance is part of the discipline, not separate from it.
Read verse 6.16 in full →Verse 6.17
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु । युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥
yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-ceṣṭasya karmasu yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā
For one who is moderate in eating and recreation, balanced in effort, and regulated in sleep and wakefulness, yoga becomes the destroyer of all suffering.
Life lesson: Today, aim for moderation rather than extremes in how you eat, rest, and work — steadiness often begins there.
Read verse 6.17 in full →Verse 6.18
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते । निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ॥
yadā viniyataṁ cittam ātmany evāvatiṣṭhate, niḥspṛhaḥ sarvakāmebhyo yukta ity ucyate tadā.
When the fully disciplined mind rests only in the Self, free from longing for all desires, then one is said to be established in Yoga.
Life lesson: Practice wanting a little less today, and notice how much calmer that leaves your mind.
Read verse 6.18 in full →Verse 6.19
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता । योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः ॥
yathā dīpo nivāta-stho neṅgate sopamā smṛtā yogino yata-cittasya yuñjato yogam ātmanaḥ
As a lamp in a windless place does not flicker, so is the disciplined mind of a yogi practicing meditation on the self compared.
Life lesson: When distractions swirl around you today, picture a windless lamp and let your mind settle into that same steadiness.
Read verse 6.19 in full →Verse 6.20
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया । यत्र चैवात्मनाऽऽत्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ॥
yatroparamate cittaṁ niruddhaṁ yogasevayā, yatra caivātmanātmānaṁ paśyann ātmani tuṣyati.
When the mind, restrained by the practice of Yoga, becomes still, and when, seeing the Self by the self, one finds contentment in the Self alone.
Life lesson: Give yourself a still moment today where you're not looking for anything outside yourself—just resting.
Read verse 6.20 in full →Verse 6.21
सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद्बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम् । वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः ॥
sukham ātyantikaṁ yat tad buddhigrāhyam atīndriyam, vetti yatra na caivāyaṁ sthitaś calati tattvataḥ.
There, one experiences the boundless joy that is grasped by the higher intellect and lies beyond the senses; established in it, one never departs from that truth.
Life lesson: Look today for a moment of quiet joy that doesn't depend on anything happening around you.
Read verse 6.21 in full →Verse 6.22
यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः । यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते ॥
yaṁ labdhvā cāparaṁ lābhaṁ manyate nādhikaṁ tataḥ, yasmin sthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate.
Having gained which, one considers no other gain greater; established in it, one is not shaken even by the heaviest sorrow.
Life lesson: Ask yourself today what actually can't be taken from you, and let that be your steady ground.
Read verse 6.22 in full →Verse 6.23
तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम् । स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा ॥
taṁ vidyād duḥkhasaṁyogaviyogaṁ yogasaṁjñitam, sa niścayena yoktavyo yogo'nirviṇṇacetasā.
Know that state, the severance from union with sorrow, to be called Yoga; this Yoga should be practiced with determination and an undespairing mind.
Life lesson: When practice feels slow today, keep going without discouragement—determination matters more than speed.
Read verse 6.23 in full →Verse 6.24
सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः । मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः ॥
saṅkalpaprabhavān kāmāṁs tyaktvā sarvān aśeṣataḥ, manasaivendriyagrāmaṁ viniyamya samantataḥ.
Abandoning without exception all desires born of selfish will, and restraining the whole group of senses on every side by the mind alone.
Life lesson: Before reacting to a craving today, pause and ask what desire is really driving it.
Read verse 6.24 in full →Verse 6.25
शनैः शनैरुपरमेद्बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया । आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत् ॥
śanaiḥ śanair uparamed buddhyā dhṛtigṛhītayā, ātmasaṁsthaṁ manaḥ kṛtvā na kiñcid api cintayet.
One should gradually withdraw with a firm and patient intellect; fixing the mind steadily on the Self, one should think of nothing else.
Life lesson: Be patient with your own progress today—gradual, gentle steps are still real steps.
Read verse 6.25 in full →Verse 6.26
यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम् । ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत् ॥
yato yato niścarati manaś cañcalam asthiram tatas tato niyamyaitad ātmany eva vaśaṁ nayet
From wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, one should draw it back and bring it under the control of the self.
Life lesson: Each time your mind wanders today, don't fight it — just gently bring it back, as many times as it takes.
Read verse 6.26 in full →Verse 6.27
प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम् । उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम् ॥
praśāntamanasaṁ hy enaṁ yoginaṁ sukham uttamam, upaiti śāntarajasaṁ brahmabhūtam akalmaṣam.
Supreme happiness comes to the yogi whose mind is peaceful, whose passions are stilled, who is sinless and one with Brahman.
Life lesson: Instead of chasing happiness today, invest in a little more calm—happiness tends to follow.
Read verse 6.27 in full →Verse 6.28
युञ्जन्नेवं सदाऽऽत्मानं योगी विगतकल्मषः । सुखेन ब्रह्मसंस्पर्शमत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते ॥
yuñjann evaṁ sadātmānaṁ yogī vigatakalmaṣaḥ, sukhena brahmasaṁsparśam atyantaṁ sukham aśnute.
Thus constantly uniting the self through meditation, the yogi freed from sin easily attains the boundless happiness of touching Brahman.
Life lesson: Trust that consistent, honest effort today will make peace feel less like work over time.
Read verse 6.28 in full →Verse 6.29
सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि । ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः ॥
sarvabhūtasthamātmānaṁ sarvabhūtāni cātmani, īkṣate yogayuktātmā sarvatra samadarśanaḥ.
United in Yoga, seeing everything with equal vision, one sees the Self present in all beings, and all beings present in the Self.
Life lesson: Today, try seeing a stranger not as separate from you, but as another expression of the same life.
Read verse 6.29 in full →Verse 6.30
यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति । तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति ॥
yo māṁ paśyati sarvatra sarvaṁ ca mayi paśyati tasyāhaṁ na praṇaśyāmi sa ca me na praṇaśyati
For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, and that person is never lost to Me.
Life lesson: Try noticing something sacred in an ordinary moment today — a conversation, a meal, a face — and feel how connected everything really is.
Read verse 6.30 in full →Verse 6.31
सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः । सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते ॥
sarvabhūtasthitaṁ yo māṁ bhajaty ekatvam āsthitaḥ, sarvathā vartamāno'pi sa yogī mayi vartate.
One who, established in oneness, worships Me as dwelling in all beings, that yogi abides in Me, whatever their way of life.
Life lesson: Let your devotion today extend beyond ritual into how you treat the people around you.
Read verse 6.31 in full →Verse 6.32
आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन । सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं स योगी परमो मतः ॥
ātmaupamyena sarvatra samaṁ paśyati yo'rjuna, sukhaṁ vā yadi vā duḥkhaṁ sa yogī paramo mataḥ.
O Arjuna, the yogi who, by comparison with the self, sees the same everywhere—whether in pleasure or in pain—is regarded as supreme.
Life lesson: Before judging someone's pain today, imagine it as your own for a moment.
Read verse 6.32 in full →Verse 6.33
अर्जुन उवाच । योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्तः साम्येन मधुसूदन । एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात्स्थितिं स्थिराम् ॥
arjuna uvāca. yo'yaṁ yogas tvayā proktaḥ sāmyena madhusūdana, etasyāhaṁ na paśyāmi cañcalatvāt sthitiṁ sthirām.
Arjuna said: O Madhusudana, this Yoga of equanimity that You have taught seems to me unstable, because the mind is so restless.
Life lesson: It's okay to admit today that staying calm is hard—naming the struggle is the first honest step.
Read verse 6.33 in full →Verse 6.34
चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम् । तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् ॥
cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavad dṛḍham tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva suduṣkaram
The mind is indeed restless, turbulent, strong, and obstinate, O Krishna; I think it is as hard to control as the wind.
Life lesson: If your mind feels impossible to settle today, you're in good company — admit the struggle honestly and keep gently working at it anyway.
Read verse 6.34 in full →Verse 6.35
असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलम्
asanśayaṁ mahā-bāho mano durnigrahaṁ calam
Lord Krishna said: Undoubtedly, O mighty-armed Arjuna, the mind is restless and difficult to control. But it can be mastered through regular practice and detachment.
Life lesson: Be patient with your own restlessness — a wandering mind isn't failure, it's simply asking for more practice.
Read verse 6.35 in full →Verse 6.36
असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः । वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः ॥
asaṁyatātmanā yogo duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ, vaśyātmanā tu yatatā śakyo'vāptum upāyataḥ.
For one whose mind is uncontrolled, Yoga is hard to attain, I believe; but for one whose mind is controlled and who strives through the right means, it is attainable.
Life lesson: If self-control feels hard today, look for a better method rather than blaming yourself.
Read verse 6.36 in full →Verse 6.37
अर्जुन उवाच । अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः । अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति ॥
arjuna uvāca. ayatiḥ śraddhayopeto yogāc calitamānasaḥ, aprāpya yogasaṁsiddhiṁ kāṁ gatiṁ kṛṣṇa gacchati.
Arjuna said: O Krishna, what happens to the one full of faith but lacking effort, whose mind wanders away from Yoga without attaining perfection in it?
Life lesson: It's natural to worry about unfinished growth—ask the question honestly today instead of avoiding it.
Read verse 6.37 in full →Verse 6.38
कच्चिन्नोभयविभ्रष्टश्छिन्नाभ्रमिव नश्यति । अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि ॥
kaccin nobhayavibhraṣṭaś chinnābhram iva naśyati, apratiṣṭho mahābāho vimūḍho brahmaṇaḥ pathi.
O mighty-armed Krishna, does he not perish like a scattered cloud, fallen from both paths, without any foothold, bewildered on the path to the Absolute?
Life lesson: If you fear that trying and not succeeding means losing everything, know that this fear itself is worth voicing.
Read verse 6.38 in full →Verse 6.39
एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः । त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते ॥
etan me saṁśayaṁ kṛṣṇa chettum arhasy aśeṣataḥ, tvadanyaḥ saṁśayasyāsya chettā na hy upapadyate.
O Krishna, You alone are able to completely dispel this doubt of mine, for there is no one else fit to resolve it.
Life lesson: If a doubt is weighing on you today, don't hesitate to ask someone you trust for clarity.
Read verse 6.39 in full →Verse 6.40
श्रीभगवानुवाच । पार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते । न हि कल्याणकृत्कश्िचद्दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति ॥
śrī bhagavān uvāca. pārtha naiveha nāmutra vināśas tasya vidyate, na hi kalyāṇakṛt kaścid durgatiṁ tāta gacchati.
The Supreme Lord said: O Partha, neither in this world nor the next is there destruction for him; no one who does good, My dear one, ever comes to grief.
Life lesson: Don't fear that your sincere efforts today will come to nothing—nothing good is ever truly wasted.
Read verse 6.40 in full →Verse 6.41
प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः । शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते ॥
prāpya puṇyakṛtāṁ lokān uṣitvā śāśvatīḥ samāḥ, śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yogabhraṣṭo'bhijāyate.
Having attained the worlds of the righteous and dwelling there for countless years, one who has fallen from Yoga is reborn in the home of the pure and prosperous.
Life lesson: Trust that the inner work you do today carries forward, even if this chapter of it feels incomplete.
Read verse 6.41 in full →Verse 6.42
अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम् । एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम् ॥
athavā yoginām eva kule bhavati dhīmatām, etad dhi durlabhataraṁ loke janma yad īdṛśam.
Or such a person is born into a family of wise yogis; indeed, a birth like this is very rare to attain in this world.
Life lesson: If you were raised with wisdom around you, honor that gift today by putting it to use.
Read verse 6.42 in full →Verse 6.43
तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं लभते पौर्वदेहिकम् । यतते च ततो भूयः संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन ॥
tatra taṁ buddhisaṁyogaṁ labhate paurvadehikam, yatate ca tato bhūyaḥ saṁsiddhau kurunandana.
There, O joy of the Kurus, one regains the understanding developed in the previous life, and strives once again, even harder, for perfection.
Life lesson: If you're returning to something you once worked at, trust that your earlier effort still counts today.
Read verse 6.43 in full →Verse 6.44
पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः । जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते ॥
pūrvābhyāsena tenaiva hriyate hy avaśo'pi saḥ, jijñāsur api yogasya śabdabrahmātivartate.
By that very previous practice, one is drawn onward even without willing it; even one who merely seeks to know Yoga transcends the ritualistic scriptures.
Life lesson: On days you don't feel motivated, trust the momentum of your past practice to carry you a little further.
Read verse 6.44 in full →Verse 6.45
प्रयत्नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संशुद्धकिल्बिषः । अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम् ॥
prayatnād yatamānas tu yogī saṁśuddhakilbiṣaḥ, anekajanmasaṁsiddhas tato yāti parāṁ gatim.
But the yogi who strives diligently, purified of faults over many lifetimes, having attained perfection, then reaches the highest goal.
Life lesson: Keep striving today even if the goal feels far away—diligent effort compounds over time.
Read verse 6.45 in full →Verse 6.46
तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः । कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन ॥
tapasvibhyo'dhiko yogī jñānibhyo'pi mato'dhikaḥ, karmibhyaś cādhiko yogī tasmād yogī bhavārjuna.
The yogi is greater than the ascetic, and considered greater even than the scholar of scriptures; the yogi is greater than the mere doer of rituals—therefore, Arjuna, become a yogi.
Life lesson: Aim today for a balance of knowledge, action, and inner discipline, rather than leaning on just one.
Read verse 6.46 in full →Verse 6.47
योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना । श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः ॥
yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ sa me yuktatamo mataḥ
Among all yogis, one who worships Me with faith, their inner self absorbed in Me, is considered by Me to be the most united of all.
Life lesson: Today, let a quiet moment of heartfelt devotion or gratitude be enough — you don't need a perfect practice to feel connected.
Read verse 6.47 in full →