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Chapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga · 47 verses

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How to study this verse, in six steps
  1. 1Remember who is speaking. Kṛṣṇa is speaking. Take the verse as He directs.
  2. 2Say the verse and its words. Read the Sanskrit, then each word with its meaning.
  3. 3Read the translation as it is. Let the translation say what it says, without adding your own meaning.
  4. 4Read the purport. Hear the verse through the disciplic succession.
  5. 5Bring your own question. Ask: where does this verse meet my life, my trouble, my doubt?
  6. 6Act on it, remembering Kṛṣṇa. Carry one instruction into your work today.
Read the full guide: how to read the Bhagavad-gītā ›
Mind & yogaChapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga
6.126.14

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 6.13

Yoga practice, posture and moderation

Īśvara · God

समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिर: ।

सम्प्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥ १३ ॥

प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थित: ।

मन: संयम्य मच्च‍ित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्पर: ॥ १४ ॥

samaṁ kāya-śiro-grīvaṁ

dhārayann acalaṁ sthiraḥ

samprekṣya nāsikāgraṁ svaṁ

diśaś cānavalokayan

praśāntātmā vigata-bhīr

brahmacāri-vrate sthitaḥ

manaḥ saṁyamya mac-citto

yukta āsīta mat-paraḥ

Translation

One should hold one’s body, neck and head erect in a straight line and stare steadily at the tip of the nose. Thus, with an unagitated, subdued mind, devoid of fear, completely free from sex life, one should meditate upon Me within the heart and make Me the ultimate goal of life.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
1

Understand it

What this verse is saying, and where it sits in the story.

3 study points

Yoga’s Goal Is Kṛṣṇa

  1. 1

    Keep the body, neck and head straight, look steadily at the nose tip, and meditate on Kṛṣṇa within the heart.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that yoga aims to see Kṛṣṇa within the heart as Paramātmā, the four-handed form of Viṣṇu.

  3. 3

    Make Kṛṣṇa your ultimate goal, and practice controlling the mind and avoiding sense gratification.

Key points from the purport

These notes cover verses 6.11–14

One must sit down on a proper seat and fix the mind on one point (Study translations for the basic practices of astanga-yoga)

Texts 6.11 – 6.12 describes the ‘manner of sitting’

Texts 6.13 – 6.14 describes ‘how to meditate’

a

Texts 6.11 — 6.12 refutes so called yoga societies in big cities

Big cities do not offer such circumstances as expected here for yoga practice

Because one who is not self-controlled and disturbed in mind cannot practice meditation

Therefore the best means of spiritual realisation in Kali-yuga is chanting of the Holy Names (Ref. Brhan-naradiya Purana)

b

Celibacy

“Rules of celibacy” by Yajnavalkya (6.13 – 6.14) – The vow of brahmacharya is meant to help one completely abstain from sex indulgence in work, words and mind – at all times, under all circumstances and in all places

Role of celibacy in bhakti-yoga (6.14 purport)

Strict celibacy is a must for jnana and dhyana schools; but only in bhakti school the conception of householder brahmacharya is allowed

Cult of Bhakti-yoga is so powerful that one automatically loses sexual attraction, being engaged in the superior service of the Lord and experiences higher taste (Ref. Bg. 2.59 “visaya vinivartante...”) FOCUS OF LEARNING: PURPORTS 6.11 – 6.14

c

‘Vigata-bhir’ — It means “devoid of fear”- It is a very important quality to practice astanga-yoga

Krishna consciousness is the only basis of fearlessness (6.14 purport)

Cause of fear – It is due to the perverted memory of forgetfulness of one’s eternal relationship with Krishna

Supporting References: Ref. SB 11.2.37 – “bhayam dvitiya...”

Further reading

Further Stages In The Practice Of Yoga

Krishna describes the practices of astanga-yoga

The result are ‘Yogarudha (the perfectional stage)’ and ultimately ‘the vision of the Supersoul’.

Chapter 6, section III: Further Stages In The Practice Of Yoga
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. samamstraight
  2. kāyabody
  3. śiraḥhead
  4. grīvamand neck
  5. dhārayanholding
  6. acalamunmoving
  7. sthiraḥstill
  8. samprekṣyalooking
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: manas, indriya, yoga.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 6.13 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to mind & yoga?

Practice

Sit quietly for ten minutes and gently return the mind.

5

The story behind it

Mahābhārata episodes and stories from the purports that shed light on this verse.

All stories for chapter 6 ›
6

Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

BG 6.10Yoga practice, posture and moderationBG 6.11Yoga practice, posture and moderation
Live this todayRegulated Life in Kṛṣṇa ConsciousnessA practice from BG 6.17, close to this verse

Study notes are editorial summaries, not the translation. Confirm them in the original text and purport.

  1. Learn
  2. Live
  3. Lead
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