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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 ›
Questions & crisisChapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga
6.326.34

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 6.33

Arjuna confesses difficulty controlling the mind

Prakṛti · Material nature

अर्जुन उवाच

योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्त: साम्येन मधुसूदन ।

एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात्स्थितिं स्थिराम् ॥ ३३ ॥

arjuna uvāca

yo ’yaṁ yogas tvayā proktaḥ

sāmyena madhusūdana

etasyāhaṁ na paśyāmi

cañcalatvāt sthitiṁ sthirām

Translation

Arjuna said: O Madhusūdana, the system of yoga which You have summarized appears impractical and unendurable to me, for the mind is restless and unsteady.

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

Arjuna’s Difficulty with Yoga

  1. 1

    Arjuna says this yoga system seems impractical and unbearable because the mind is restless and unsteady.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that this strict, secluded yoga practice is generally impossible for ordinary people in the Age of Kali.

  3. 3

    Simply imitating this yoga system without understanding its goal wastes time.

Key points from the purport

Arjuna’s inquiry — this yoga is impractical and unendurable

Because the mind is restless and unsteady

a

Which yoga system is being reject here

The one described by Lord Krishna from Text 6.11 (“sucau dese...”) to Text 6.32 (“...yogi paramah”)

b

Preaching application — If Arjuna rejects, what to talk of modern man with all incapabilities of Kali- yuga

Characteristics of Kali-yuga

Bitter struggle for a life of short duration

People are not serious about self-realisation even by simple practical means,

What to speak this difficult yoga system which regulates the mode of living, the manner of sitting, selection of place, and detachment of the mind from material engagements

Superexcellent abilities of Arjuna as compared to men of Kali-yuga

He belongs to the royal family

He was a great warrior

He had great longevity and

Above all he was the intimate friend of Lord Krishna

c

Modern imitation yoga schools are thus condemned because they are completely ignorance of the desired goal

Connected verses · 1

Texts 6.33 & 6.34

Arjuna thus points out why maintaining this outlook is so problematic.

Further reading

Necessity Of Controlling The Turbulent Mind

Although control of mind is undoubtedly a difficult process, nevertheless...

Control of mind is essential and obtainable only by constant practice and detachment.

Chapter 6, section IV: Necessity Of Controlling The Turbulent Mind
2

Word for word

Learn the Sanskrit words of the verse.

  1. arjunaḥ uvācaArjuna said
  2. yaḥ ayamthis system
  3. yogaḥmysticism
  4. tvayāby You
  5. proktaḥdescribed
  6. sāmyenagenerally
  7. madhu-sūdanaO killer of the demon Madhu
  8. etasyaof this
3

Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: saṁśaya, viṣāda.

4

Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 6.33 establish in Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport, and how does it connect to questions & crisis?

Practice

Write down the real question behind your current dilemma.

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 6.34The restless mindBG 1.28Compassion entangled with attachmentBG 1.46The bow falls
Live this todayA Friend to EveryoneA practice from BG 6.32, close to this verse

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

  1. Learn
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  3. Lead
Next in Learn · 4 of 9 · 10 minChapters & storiesGo chapter by chapter, with the Mahābhārata stories that explain what is happening.Back · LearnPrabhupāda's Introduction