Bhagvad Gita - Chapter: 6 Dhyana Yogah

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत् |
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मन: ||5||

Let a person elevate himself by his own mind, and let him not degrade himself; for the mind can be the friend or enemy of the self.

Bandhuḥ: Friend or well-wisher.
Ātmanā: By the self or soul.
Ripuh: Enemy or foe.

This shloka emphasizes self-responsibility, advocating for personal effort in self-upliftment. It reminds us that the mind, when disciplined, becomes a valuable ally, but when neglected, it can lead to self-sabotage.

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बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जित: |
अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्ते तात्मैव शत्रुवत् ||6||

The self is a friend of one who has conquered it; but for one who has not conquered the self, the self acts as an enemy.

Jitaḥ: Conquered or subdued.
Anātmanah: One who is without self-control.

Self-mastery is positioned as the cornerstone of inner harmony. This verse contrasts the empowered individual who controls their mind with one who is enslaved by it, highlighting the stakes involved in self-discipline.

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Dhyana Yogah - For one who has conquered the self and is serene, the Supreme Self is realized in heat and cold, happiness and sorrow, honor and dishonor.

जितात्मन: प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहित: |
शीतोष्णसुखदु:खेषु तथा मानापमानयो: ||7||

For one who has conquered the self and is serene, the Supreme Self is realized in heat and cold, happiness and sorrow, honor and dishonor.

Śītoṣṇa: Heat and cold.
Mānāpamāna: Honor and dishonor.

Krishna describes the state of equanimity achieved by a self-controlled person. This verse broadens the concept of inner peace, linking it to the ability to remain unaffected by external conditions.

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Dhyana Yogah - The yogi whose mind is satisfied with knowledge and wisdom, who is unwavering, and has conquered the senses, is regarded as one who sees equally a clod, a stone, and gold.

ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रिय: |
युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चन: ||8||

The yogi whose mind is satisfied with knowledge and wisdom, who is unwavering, and has conquered the senses, is regarded as one who sees equally a clod, a stone, and gold.

Vijñāna: Wisdom or discriminative knowledge.
Kūṭastha: Unchanging or fixed.
Sama-loṣṭa: Equanimity towards clod, stone, and gold.

This shloka introduces the notion of impartiality, emphasizing that true wisdom lies in transcending material differences. The yogi’s ability to see equality in all things reflects spiritual maturity.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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