🕉️ Chapter 6 – The Yoga of Meditation (Dhyana Yoga): Shlokas 11–20
In this section, Krishna guides Arjuna on the physical, mental, and spiritual discipline necessary for meditation. These verses describe how to sit, breathe, focus, and realize the Self. It’s less philosophy and more practice — the yogic blueprint.
📜 Shloka 11–12
शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मनः ।
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥11॥
तत्रैकाग्रं मनः कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रियः ।
उपविश्यासने युञ्ज्याद्योगमात्मविशुद्धये ॥12॥
English Translation:
In a clean and quiet place, establish a firm seat—not too high or too low—with cloth, deerskin, and kusa grass layered. Sitting there, with mind one-pointed and senses controlled, let the yogi practice meditation for self-purification.
हिन्दी अनुवाद:
स्वच्छ, शांत स्थान में, ऊँचा-नीचा न हो ऐसा आसन कुशा, मृगचर्म और कपड़े से तैयार करें। फिर एकाग्रचित्त होकर, इंद्रियों को वश में रखते हुए, आत्मशुद्धि के लिए योग का अभ्यास करें।
🔍 Deep Reflection:
Meditation begins with space — internal and external. Your seat is not just physical, it’s symbolic. Discipline begins with where and how you show up.
🪔 Modern Insight:
Create a sacred corner — even 5 minutes a day in silent sitting can realign your system.
📜 Shloka 13
समं कायशिरोग्रीवं धारयन्नचलं स्थिरः ।
संप्रेक्ष्य नासिकाग्रं स्वं दिशश्चानवलोकयन् ॥13॥
English Translation:
Let the body, head, and neck be steady and aligned. Gaze gently at the tip of the nose, and avoid looking in any direction.
हिन्दी अनुवाद:
शरीर, सिर और गर्दन को एक सीध में स्थिर रखो; अपनी दृष्टि को नासिका के अग्रभाग पर केंद्रित करो और इधर-उधर न देखो।
🔍 Deep Reflection:
Posture affects consciousness. When the body is stable, the mind follows. Focus is a physical act before it becomes mental.
🪔 Modern Insight:
Your spine is your antenna. Sit like you mean to rise above thought.
📜 Shloka 14
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः ।
मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥14॥
English Translation:
Calm, fearless, celibate in conduct, with mind subdued and thoughts on Me, the yogi should sit focused, absorbed in the Supreme.
हिन्दी अनुवाद:
शांतचित्त, भय से मुक्त, ब्रह्मचर्य का पालन करने वाला योगी, मन को संयमित करके, मुझमें (भगवान) स्थित होकर योगाभ्यास करे।
🔍 Deep Reflection:
This is the spiritual posture: calm mind, pure life, fearless heart, and focus on the Divine.
🪔 Modern Insight:
Yoga is not a pose — it’s presence. It's mental hygiene and soul focus in action.
📜 Shloka 15
युञ्जन्नेवं सदात्मानं योगी नियतमानसः ।
शान्तिं निर्वाणपरमां मत्संस्थामधिगच्छति ॥15॥
English Translation:
Practicing thus, with disciplined mind and constant self-absorption, the yogi attains supreme peace and abides in Me, the Eternal.
हिन्दी अनुवाद:
इस प्रकार, संयमित मन और निरंतर आत्मस्थित योग से योगी परम शांति को प्राप्त करता है और मुझ परमात्मा में स्थित होता है।
🔍 Deep Reflection:
Meditation is not about escape. It’s a return — to the peace already inside you.
🪔 Modern Insight:
In a distracted world, deep focus is your direct portal to divinity.
📜 Shloka 16–17
नात्यश्नतस्तु योगोऽस्ति न चैकान्तमनश्नतः ।
न चातिस्वप्नशीलस्य जाग्रतो नैव चार्जुन ॥16॥
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु ।
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥17॥
English Translation:
Yoga is not for one who overeats or fasts excessively, nor for one who sleeps too much or too little. But for one balanced in food, activity, work, and rest—yoga destroys all sorrow.
हिन्दी अनुवाद:
योग न तो बहुत खाने वाले का है, न बहुत उपवास करने वाले का; न अधिक सोने वाले का, न जागने वाले का। जो आहार, विहार, कर्म, और निद्रा में संयमित है, उसका योग दुखों का नाश करता है।
🔍 Deep Reflection:
Yoga thrives in balance. Not in extremes. Regulate the body to free the soul.
🪔 Modern Insight:
Routine is sacred. The right rhythm unlocks inner stillness.
📜 Shloka 18
यदा विनियतं चित्तमात्मन्येवावतिष्ठते ।
निःस्पृहः सर्वकामेभ्यो युक्त इत्युच्यते तदा ॥18॥
English Translation:
When the restrained mind rests in the Self alone, free from all desires—that is when one is truly established in yoga.
हिन्दी अनुवाद:
जब मन पूर्णत: संयमित होकर आत्मा में स्थित हो जाता है और सभी इच्छाओं से रहित हो जाता है — तभी व्यक्ति को सच्चे अर्थों में योग में स्थित कहा जाता है।
🔍 Deep Reflection:
The moment your mind is content with being—it no longer craves becoming.
🪔 Modern Insight:
Stillness isn’t boring. It’s the deepest connection you’ll ever know.
📜 Shloka 19
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता ।
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः ॥19॥
English Translation:
As a lamp in a windless place does not flicker—such is the comparison for the yogi whose mind is controlled and absorbed in the Self.
हिन्दी अनुवाद:
जैसे बिना हवा वाले स्थान में दीपक नहीं डगमगाता — वैसे ही योगी का मन जब आत्मा में लीन होता है तो स्थिर रहता है।
🔍 Deep Reflection:
True meditation is unwavering focus — a flame untouched by thought's winds.
🪔 Modern Insight:
Your mind doesn’t need silencing. It needs stillness. That comes with steady focus.
📜 Shloka 20
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं निरुद्धं योगसेवया ।
यत्र चैवात्मनाऽऽत्मानं पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ॥20॥
English Translation:
When the mind, restrained by yoga, becomes quiet, and one finds joy in the Self, seeing the Self through the Self—then real contentment arises.
हिन्दी अनुवाद:
जब योग के अभ्यास से चित्त शांत हो जाता है और व्यक्ति आत्मा से ही आत्मा का दर्शन कर उसमें संतुष्ट होता है — तब उसे सच्चा सुख प्राप्त होता है।
🔍 Deep Reflection:
The highest joy is Self-recognition — not from books, but from being with yourself in stillness.
🪔 Modern Insight:
You are not what you achieve — you are what you already are. Be still and see it.
🌱 Ancient Verse – Modern Wisdom Table
| Gita Insight | Modern Life Lesson |
|---|---|
| Meditation begins with outer and inner space | Your setup shapes your stillness |
| Balanced lifestyle is key to spiritual growth | Self-care is spiritual discipline |
| Stillness reveals the Self | Silence is not empty—it’s full of You |
| Mind becomes your mirror | See yourself beyond thought |
🧘 Message to Gen Z: Set the Ground. Sit Still. Watch Magic Unfold.
- 🧘♂️ Meditation isn’t hard. Discipline is. Start with 5 minutes daily.
- 📵 Put down your phone. Pick up your soul’s frequency.
- 🪷 Don’t seek peace — become it by turning inward.
- 🛠️ You don’t need a retreat. Just a quiet corner and sincere presence.
➡️ Up Next: Shlokas 21–30 — Transcending Pleasure, Realizing Oneness, and the Peak of Yogic Bliss