Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga - The Yoga of MeditationKrishna
Verse 26
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 6, श्लोक 26
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
यतो यतो निश्चरति मनश्चञ्चलमस्थिरम्।
ततस्ततो नियम्यैतदात्मन्येव वशं नयेत्॥
Transliteration
Yato Yato Nishcharati Manash-Chanchalam-Asthiram.
Tatas-Tato Niyamya-Etad-Atmany-Eva Vasham Nayet.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
यतः यतःyatah yatahwherever and wherever
निश्चरतिnishcharatiwanders/goes out
मनःmanahmind
चञ्चलम्chanchalamrestless
अस्थिरम्asthiramunsteady
ततः ततःtatah tatahfrom there and there
नियम्यniyamyaregulating/restraining
एतत्etatthis
आत्मनिatmaniin the Self
एवevaalone
वशम्vashamunder control
नयेत्nayetshould bring
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
चञ्चल और अस्थिर मन जहाँ-जहाँ भटकता है, वहाँ-वहाँ से उसे रोककर आत्मा में ही वश में लाए।
English Translation
Wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, from there one should restrain it and bring it back under the control of the Self alone.
Commentary (टीका)
This is one of the most practical meditation instructions in all of scripture. Krishna acknowledges that the mind is naturally restless and unsteady — this is not a failure but a reality to work with. The practice is simple yet powerful: each time the mind wanders, gently bring it back to the Self. This patient, persistent redirection is the actual practice of meditation. There is no shortcut.