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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
6.356.37

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 6.36

Practice and detachment steady the mind

Prakṛti · Material nature

असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मति: ।

वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्‍तुमुपायत: ॥ ३६ ॥

asaṁyatātmanā yogo

duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ

vaśyātmanā tu yatatā

śakyo ’vāptum upāyataḥ

Translation

For one whose mind is unbridled, self-realization is difficult work. But he whose mind is controlled and who strives by appropriate means is assured of success. That is My opinion.

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

Controlling the Mind for Success

  1. 1

    Self-realization is difficult with an uncontrolled mind, but controlling it and striving by proper means assures success.

  2. 2

    Prabhupāda explains that steady mind control requires Kṛṣṇa consciousness—constantly engaging the mind in loving service to the Lord.

  3. 3

    Practice keeping your mind engaged in loving service to Kṛṣṇa rather than in material enjoyment.

Key points from the purport

Mind control is a must for self realization and without mind control, self-realisation is difficult work

a

Analogy — Trying to practice yoga while engaging the mind in material enjoyment is like trying to ignite fire while pouring water on it

b

Yoga practice without mental control is a waste of time

Such a show of yoga may be materially lucrative but it is useless as far as spiritual realisation is concerned

c

Krishna consciousness offers a practical solution

Only way to steadily control the mind is by engaging in the transcendental loving service of the Lord

d

Krishna consciousness compared to a yoga practitioner

A Krishna conscious person easily achieves the result of yoga-practice without separate endeavor

But a yoga practitioner cannot achieve success without becoming Krishna conscious

Connected verses · 2

Texts 6.35 & 6.36

Krishna continues instructing Arjuna on the importance of mind control in the next verse.

Texts 6.36 & 6.37

After understanding the formidability of the obstacles to progress in yoga and after hearing of the processes to remove them, Arjuna speaks the next verse.

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. asaṁyataunbridled
  2. ātmanāby the mind
  3. yogaḥself-realization
  4. duṣprāpaḥdifficult to obtain
  5. itithus
  6. meMy
  7. matiḥopinion
  8. vaśyacontrolled
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 6.36 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 6.35Practice and detachment
Live this todayEngage the Restless Mind in KṛṣṇaA practice from BG 6.34, 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