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Chapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga · 47 verses

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Mind & yogaChapter 6 · Dhyāna-yoga
6.76.9

Bhagavad-gītā As It Is · Text 6.8

The mind as friend or enemy; equanimity

ज्ञानविज्ञानतृप्‍तात्मा कूटस्थो विजितेन्द्रिय: ।

युक्त इत्युच्यते योगी समलोष्ट्राश्मकाञ्चन: ॥ ८ ॥

jñāna-vijñāna-tṛptātmā

kūṭa-stho vijitendriyaḥ

yukta ity ucyate yogī

sama-loṣṭrāśma-kāñcanaḥ

Translation

A person is said to be established in self-realization and is called a yogī [or mystic] when he is fully satisfied by virtue of acquired knowledge and realization. Such a person is situated in transcendence and is self-controlled. He sees everything – whether it be pebbles, stones or gold – as the same.

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.

Knowledge Realized Through Devotion

  1. 1A realized yogī is satisfied by knowledge and realization, is self-controlled, and sees pebbles, stones and gold as equal.
  2. 2Prabhupāda explains that scholarship alone cannot reveal Kṛṣṇa. Realized knowledge comes by Kṛṣṇa’s grace through pure devotional service.
  3. 3Seek the company of a person in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and practice devotional service rather than relying only on book knowledge.

Where we are

In the story

Chapter 6, Dhyāna-yoga: the mind as friend or enemy; equanimity.

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 6.8 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.

BG 6.5The mind as a friend or enemyBG 6.6The mind as friend or enemy; equanimity

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

Ask the study guide

Ask about BG 6.8 — get a simple answer linked to related ideas and verses.

Back to step 3The key ideasNext · Step 5 of 7 · 5 minLive the teachingsBring it into your day with a practice and a question, straight from Prabhupāda's purports.