Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 6 Dhyana Yogah

Dhyana Yogah - One who is impartial to friends, companions, enemies, the neutral, the hateful, relatives, the virtuous, and the sinful, is esteemed as superior.

सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु |
साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते ||9||

One who is impartial to friends, companions, enemies, the neutral, the hateful, relatives, the virtuous, and the sinful, is esteemed as superior.

Suhṛt: Well-wisher or friend.
Mitra: Companion.
Dveṣya: Hateful or enmity.

Building on the previous verse, this commentary highlights how impartiality extends to interpersonal relationships. The ability to remain neutral amid dualities of enmity and friendship is seen as a hallmark of spiritual steadiness.

Bookmark removed

योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थित: |
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रह: ||10||

The yogi should constantly concentrate the self in solitude, remaining alone, self-controlled, free from desires and possessions.

Rahasi: In solitude.
Parigraha: Possessions or attachments.

Solitude and discipline are stressed here, marking a shift in focus toward inward practice. This verse underlines the yogic ideal of minimalism, where the mind can concentrate without distractions.

Bookmark removed

Dhyana Yogah - Establishing a firm seat in a clean place, neither too high nor too low, covered with kusha grass, a deer skin, and cloth, one should practice yoga.

शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मन: |
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ||11||

Establishing a firm seat in a clean place, neither too high nor too low, covered with kusha grass, a deer skin, and cloth, one should practice yoga.

Śucau: Clean or pure.
Kuśa: Sacred grass used in rituals.
Āsana: Seat or posture.

The physical aspect of yoga begins here, emphasizing the importance of an environment conducive to meditation. Krishna underscores the practical setup required for focused spiritual practice.

Bookmark removed

Dhyana Yogah - There, focusing the mind and controlling the senses and activities, sitting on the seat, one should practice yoga for self-purification.

तत्रैकाग्रं मन: कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रिय: |
उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये ||12||

There, focusing the mind and controlling the senses and activities, sitting on the seat, one should practice yoga for self-purification.

Viśuddhaye: For purification.
Ekāgraṁ: Focused or one-pointed.

The yogi is urged to purify the mind by steadying thoughts. This verse reinforces the role of intention in meditation, laying the groundwork for the internal discipline required for self-purification.

Bookmark removed

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिर: |
सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ||13||

Holding the body, head, and neck straight and steady, looking only at the tip of the nose, without gazing in other directions.

Nāsikāgraṁ: Tip of the nose.
Samprekṣya: Looking attentively.

Physical posture and focus are emphasized, symbolizing the integration of the body, mind, and spirit. This shloka highlights the harmony needed in outward actions to achieve inner stillness.

Bookmark removed

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थित: |
मन: संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्पर: ||14||

With a serene mind, fearless, and celibate, controlling the mind, meditating on Me with devotion, one should sit focused.

Brahmacārī: One who follows celibacy or the spiritual path.
Praśānta: Calm or serene.

Fearlessness and devotion are added to the meditative process. Krishna presents these qualities as essential for transcending ego and achieving divine connection through sincere effort.

Bookmark removed

Dhyana Yogah - Thus always disciplining the self, the yogi, with mind controlled, attains peace, the supreme bliss of Nirvana that is established in Me.

युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानस: |
शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ||15||

Thus always disciplining the self, the yogi, with mind controlled, attains peace, the supreme bliss of Nirvana that is established in Me.

Nirvāṇa: Liberation or freedom.
Paramām: Supreme or ultimate.

This verse brings a glimpse of the ultimate goal of yoga—nirvana. The emphasis shifts to attaining a state of eternal peace, revealing the spiritual reward for sustained discipline.

Bookmark removed