Chapter 6: The Yoga of Meditation

Verses (47)

1. 6.1

   श्री भगवानुवाच अनाश्रितः कर्मफलं कार्यं कर्म करोति यः। स संन्यासी च योगी च न निरग्निर्न चाक्रियः।।...

   Focus on executing your responsibilities with full commitment while releasing attachment to outcomes. This mindset builds resilience and enables bette...

2. 6.2

   यं संन्यासमिति प्राहुर्योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव। न ह्यसंन्यस्तसङ्कल्पो योगी भवति कश्चन।।6.2।।

   True mastery in any field requires releasing attachment to outcomes. Focus on excellence in your work itself, not the rewards it brings.

3. 6.3

   आरुरुक्षोर्मुनेर्योगं कर्म कारणमुच्यते। योगारूढस्य तस्यैव शमः कारणमुच्यते।।6.3।।

   Master your craft through disciplined action first, then transcend to strategic stillness—knowing when to act and when to pause separates effective le...

4. 6.4

   यदा हि नेन्द्रियार्थेषु न कर्मस्वनुषज्जते। सर्वसङ्कल्पसंन्यासी योगारूढस्तदोच्यते।।6.4।।

   True mastery comes from detaching your ego from outcomes while fully engaging in your work. Focus on effort, not results.

5. 6.5

   उद्धरेदात्मनाऽऽत्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः।।6.5।।

   You alone control your success or failure. Build yourself up through discipline and wise choices, or tear yourself down through negligence. Take respo...

6. 6.6

   बन्धुरात्माऽऽत्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः। अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्।।6.6।।

   Master your mind and emotions first—they become your greatest asset. Neglect them, and they sabotage your success and relationships.

7. 6.7

   जितात्मनः प्रशान्तस्य परमात्मा समाहितः। शीतोष्णसुखदुःखेषु तथा मानापमानयोः।।6.7।।

   Master your mind and body, remain calm amid life's extremes—success flows naturally from this inner stability and equanimity.

8. 6.8

   ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रियः। युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्टाश्मकाञ्चनः।।6.8।।

   Master your mind through continuous learning, control your impulses, and treat all people and outcomes with equal composure—this detachment paradoxica...

9. 6.9

   सुहृन्मित्रार्युदासीनमध्यस्थद्वेष्यबन्धुषु। साधुष्वपि च पापेषु समबुद्धिर्विशिष्यते।।6.9।।

   True leadership means treating all stakeholders—allies, rivals, neutrals—with consistent fairness and respect, regardless of personal feelings or past...

10. 6.10

    योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः। एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः।।6.10।।

    Focus your mind through deliberate solitude and mental discipline. Release attachment to outcomes and possessions to achieve clarity and peak performa...

11. 6.11

    शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः। नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम्।।6.11।।

    Create a balanced, distraction-free workspace. Success requires proper foundation—neither excessive luxury nor deprivation—to focus your mind clearly.

12. 6.12

    तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः। उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये।।6.12।।

    Master your focus by controlling your thoughts and impulses. A disciplined mind drives better decisions and sustainable success in any endeavor.

13. 6.13

    समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः। संप्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन्।।6.13।।

    Focus your attention inward on what matters most. Eliminate distractions, maintain composure, and direct your energy toward your core objective rather...

14. 6.14

    प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः। मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः।।6.14।।

    Master your mind through focused discipline, release fear, and anchor decisions to your highest principles rather than external outcomes.

15. 6.15

    युञ्जन्नेवं सदाऽऽत्मानं योगी नियतमानसः। शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति।।6.15।।

    Master your mind's focus through consistent practice. Sustained concentration on meaningful work brings inner peace and lasting success in any endeavo...

16. 6.16

    नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः। न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन।।6.16।।

    Balance in habits—neither excess nor deprivation—creates the mental clarity and physical energy leaders need for peak performance and sound decision-m...

17. 6.17

    युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु। युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा।।6.17।।

    Balance in work, rest, and consumption creates resilience. Sustainable success comes from moderation, not extremes.

18. 6.18

    यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते। निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा।।6.18।।

    True leadership emerges when you act decisively without clinging to outcomes. Master your desires, focus your mind, and decisions flow from clarity ra...

19. 6.19

    यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता। योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः।।6.19।।

    A controlled mind remains steady amid chaos. Like a sheltered flame, focused leaders stay unshaken by external pressures, making clearer decisions.

20. 6.20

    यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया। यत्र चैवात्मनाऽऽत्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति।।6.20।।

    Master your mind through discipline, find clarity within yourself, and build unshakeable confidence independent of external validation or outcomes.

21. 6.21

    सुखमात्यन्तिकं यत्तद्बुद्धिग्राह्यमतीन्द्रियम्। वेत्ति यत्र न चैवायं स्थितश्चलति तत्त्वतः।।6.21।।

    When you anchor decisions in deep inner clarity beyond emotional reactions, you gain unshakeable conviction and stop second-guessing yourself.

22. 6.22

    यं लब्ध्वा चापरं लाभं मन्यते नाधिकं ततः। यस्मिन्स्थितो न दुःखेन गुरुणापि विचाल्यते।।6.22।।

    Find your core purpose. Once anchored there, external wins lose their allure and setbacks lose their sting.

23. 6.23

    तं विद्याद् दुःखसंयोगवियोगं योगसंज्ञितम्। स निश्चयेन योक्तव्यो योगोऽनिर्विण्णचेतसा।।6.23।।

    Yoga is freedom from suffering through persistent practice with unwavering resolve. Leaders succeed by maintaining emotional resilience while steadily...

24. 6.24

    सङ्कल्पप्रभवान्कामांस्त्यक्त्वा सर्वानशेषतः। मनसैवेन्द्रियग्रामं विनियम्य समन्ततः।।6.24।।

    Master your impulses by controlling your mind first. Eliminate distracting desires to focus your energy on what truly matters for your goals.

25. 6.25

    शनैः शनैरुपरमेद् बुद्ध्या धृतिगृहीतया। आत्मसंस्थं मनः कृत्वा न किञ्चिदपि चिन्तयेत्।।6.25।।

    Withdraw gradually from distractions through disciplined focus. Anchor your mind in core values, letting go of anxious thoughts about outcomes beyond ...

26. 6.26

    यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम्। ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत्।।6.26।।

    Master your attention by identifying what distracts you, then deliberately redirect focus inward. Control your mind's wandering; don't let external ch...

27. 6.27

    प्रशान्तमनसं ह्येनं योगिनं सुखमुत्तमम्। उपैति शान्तरजसं ब्रह्मभूतमकल्मषम्।।6.27।।

    True excellence emerges when you master your mind, eliminate reactive impulses, align with your purpose, and maintain integrity in all actions.

28. 6.28

    युञ्जन्नेवं सदाऽऽत्मानं योगी विगतकल्मषः। सुखेन ब्रह्मसंस्पर्शमत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते।।6.28।।

    Focus your mind consistently on your purpose. Mental discipline and unwavering concentration naturally lead to profound peace and success in any endea...

29. 6.29

    सर्वभूतस्थमात्मानं सर्वभूतानि चात्मनि। ईक्षते योगयुक्तात्मा सर्वत्र समदर्शनः।।6.29।।

    See your team and organization as interconnected parts of one whole. This unified perspective transforms how you lead, making you more empathetic, str...

30. 6.30

    यो मां पश्यति सर्वत्र सर्वं च मयि पश्यति। तस्याहं न प्रणश्यामि स च मे न प्रणश्यति।।6.30।।

    When you recognize the interconnectedness of all people and situations, you remain aligned with purpose and never lose your way in leadership decision...

31. 6.31

    सर्वभूतस्थितं यो मां भजत्येकत्वमास्थितः। सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि स योगी मयि वर्तते।।6.31।।

    A leader who sees interconnection in all relationships and remains centered in purpose naturally influences others and achieves sustainable success re...

32. 6.32

    आत्मौपम्येन सर्वत्र समं पश्यति योऽर्जुन। सुखं वा यदि वा दुःखं सः योगी परमो मतः।।6.32।।

    True leadership means extending the same empathy to others' struggles and joys that you'd want for yourself. This builds trust and wise decisions.

33. 6.33

    अर्जुन उवाच योऽयं योगस्त्वया प्रोक्तः साम्येन मधुसूदन। एतस्याहं न पश्यामि चञ्चलत्वात् स्थितिं स्थि...

    Master your restless mind through consistent practice before expecting equanimity in results. Discipline precedes peace.

34. 6.34

    चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम्। तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम्।।6.34।।

    Master your mind's chaos through consistent practice and discipline; mental mastery is your greatest leadership challenge and competitive advantage.

35. 6.35

    श्री भगवानुवाच असंशयं महाबाहो मनो दुर्निग्रहं चलं। अभ्यासेन तु कौन्तेय वैराग्येण च गृह्यते।।6.35।।

    Master your mind through consistent practice and emotional detachment from outcomes. This discipline transforms restlessness into focused decision-mak...

36. 6.36

    असंयतात्मना योगो दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः। वश्यात्मना तु यतता शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः।।6.36।।

    Mastery requires mental discipline and consistent effort. Without controlling your focus and impulses, success remains elusive regardless of strategy.

37. 6.37

    अर्जुन उवाच अयतिः श्रद्धयोपेतो योगाच्चलितमानसः। अप्राप्य योगसंसिद्धिं कां गतिं कृष्ण गच्छति।।6.37।...

    Inconsistent effort undermines even sincere intentions. Success requires sustained discipline and focus, not just good intentions. Recommit daily to y...

38. 6.38

    कच्चिन्नोभयविभ्रष्टश्छिन्नाभ्रमिव नश्यति। अप्रतिष्ठो महाबाहो विमूढो ब्रह्मणः पथि।।6.38।।

    When you abandon your commitments halfway, you lose direction and support. Stay committed to your chosen path; inconsistency leads to failure and conf...

39. 6.39

    एतन्मे संशयं कृष्ण छेत्तुमर्हस्यशेषतः। त्वदन्यः संशयस्यास्य छेत्ता न ह्युपपद्यते।।6.39।।

    Seek clarity from those with proven expertise and experience. Self-doubt dissolves when you trust the right mentor or source of guidance.

40. 6.40

    श्री भगवानुवाच पार्थ नैवेह नामुत्र विनाशस्तस्य विद्यते। नहि कल्याणकृत्कश्िचद्दुर्गतिं तात गच्छति।।...

    Good actions create positive momentum that protects your reputation and future, regardless of immediate outcomes or setbacks.

41. 6.41

    प्राप्य पुण्यकृतां लोकानुषित्वा शाश्वतीः समाः। शुचीनां श्रीमतां गेहे योगभ्रष्टोऽभिजायते।।6.41।।

    When you lose focus on your goals, you're given another chance through supportive circumstances. Use this opportunity to recommit to your purpose.

42. 6.42

    अथवा योगिनामेव कुले भवति धीमताम्। एतद्धि दुर्लभतरं लोके जन्म यदीदृशम्।।6.42।।

    Wisdom is rarer than talent. Cultivate it through disciplined practice and mentorship. Seek environments and people that elevate your thinking.

43. 6.43

    तत्र तं बुद्धिसंयोगं लभते पौर्वदेहिकम्। यतते च ततो भूयः संसिद्धौ कुरुनन्दन।।6.43।।

    Your past efforts compound over time. Each challenge mastered builds momentum toward excellence. Progress isn't reset; it accelerates with renewed com...

44. 6.44

    पूर्वाभ्यासेन तेनैव ह्रियते ह्यवशोऽपि सः। जिज्ञासुरपि योगस्य शब्दब्रह्मातिवर्तते।।6.44।।

    Your habits shape your trajectory more than your intentions. Master your daily practices to transcend limitations and achieve excellence effortlessly.

45. 6.45

    प्रयत्नाद्यतमानस्तु योगी संशुद्धकिल्बिषः। अनेकजन्मसंसिद्धस्ततो याति परां गतिम्।।6.45।।

    Sustained commitment to self-improvement across time leads to excellence. Progress compounds through consistent practice, patience, and dedication to ...

46. 6.46

    तपस्विभ्योऽधिको योगी ज्ञानिभ्योऽपि मतोऽधिकः। कर्मिभ्यश्चाधिको योगी तस्माद्योगी भवार्जुन।।6.46।।

    Master your mind and emotions through disciplined practice. This integrated approach to work outperforms isolated expertise, knowledge, or mere effort...

47. 6.47

    योगिनामपि सर्वेषां मद्गतेनान्तरात्मना। श्रद्धावान्भजते यो मां स मे युक्ततमो मतः।।6.47।।

    The most effective leader is one who maintains unwavering focus on their core purpose while acting with genuine conviction, regardless of external dis...