Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga - The Yoga of MeditationKrishna
Verse 19
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 6, श्लोक 19
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता।
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः॥
Transliteration
Yatha Dipo Nivata-Stho Ne-Ingate So-Upama Smrita.
Yogino Yata-Chittasya Yunjato Yogam-Atmanah.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यथाyathajust as
दीपःdipaha lamp
निवातस्थःnivata-sthahin a windless place
नnanot
इङ्गतेingateflickers
साsathat
उपमाupamacomparison/simile
स्मृताsmritais remembered/is given
योगिनःyoginahof the yogi
यतचित्तस्यyata-chittasyawhose mind is controlled
युञ्जतःyunjatahpracticing
योगम्yogamyoga
आत्मनःatmanahof the self
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
जैसे वायुरहित स्थान में दीपक की लौ नहीं हिलती — ऐसी ही उपमा दी गई है उस योगी की जिसका चित्त वश में है और जो आत्मा का योग कर रहा है।
English Translation
As a lamp in a windless place does not flicker — such is the simile given for the yogi of controlled mind, practicing yoga of the Self.
Commentary (टीका)
This is one of the most beautiful and memorable similes in the Gita. The steady flame of a lamp in a place without wind perfectly illustrates the still, unwavering mind of a yogi in deep meditation. Just as the undisturbed flame gives perfect, clear light, the concentrated mind of a meditator reveals the Self in its full clarity. This image has inspired meditators for millennia.