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Chapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga · 47 verses

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Mind & yogaChapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 6.12

Yoga practice, posture and moderation

श‍ुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य स्थिरमासनमात्मन: ।

नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥ ११ ॥

तत्रैकाग्रं मन: कृत्वा यतचित्तेन्द्रियक्रिय ।

उपविश्यासने युञ्‍ज्याद्योगमात्मविश‍ुद्धये ॥ १२ ॥

śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya

sthiram āsanam ātmanaḥ

nāty-ucchritaṁ nāti-nīcaṁ

cailājina-kuśottaram

tatraikāgraṁ manaḥ kṛtvā

yata-cittendriya-kriyaḥ

upaviśyāsane yuñjyād

yogam ātma-viśuddhaye

Translation

To practice yoga, one should go to a secluded place and should lay kuśa grass on the ground and then cover it with a deerskin and a soft cloth. The seat should be neither too high nor too low and should be situated in a sacred place. The yogī should then sit on it very firmly and practice yoga to purify the heart by controlling his mind, senses and activities and fixing the mind on one point.

Read Śrīla Prabhupāda's purport on Vedabase.io
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Understand it

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

Yoga and Heart Purification

  1. 1The yogī should sit firmly, control the mind, senses and activities, and focus the mind on one point to purify the heart.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that meditation requires self-control and a calm mind. In this disturbed age, chanting the Lord’s holy name is the only means of deliverance.
  3. 3Chant the holy name of the Lord as the best means of spiritual realization in this age.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 6, Dhyāna-yoga: yoga practice, posture and moderation.

What it teaches

Theme summary

A disciplined mind is one's best friend.

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Key ideas in this verse

The spiritual concepts this verse connects to.

Key ideas: manas, indriya, yoga.

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Live it

Take one thing from this verse into your day.

Ask yourself

What does BG 6.12 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.

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The story behind it

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

All stories for chapter 6 ›
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Related verses

Keep going: verses that carry this teaching further.

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

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