Chapter 6 · Dhyana Yoga - The Yoga of MeditationArjuna
Verse 34
श्रीमद्भगवद्गीता अध्याय 6, श्लोक 34
Sanskrit Shloka (श्लोक)
चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम्।
तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम्॥
Transliteration
Chanchalam Hi Manah Krishna Pramathi Balavad Dridham.
Tasya-Aham Nigraham Manye Vayor-Iva Su-Dushkaram.
Word-by-Word Meaning (अन्वय)
चञ्चलम्chanchalamrestless
हिhiindeed
मनःmanahthe mind
कृष्णkrishnaO Krishna
प्रमाथिpramathiturbulent/agitating
बलवत्balavatstrong
दृढम्dridhamobstinate
तस्यtasyaof it
अहम्ahamI
निग्रहम्nigrahamcontrol
मन्येmanyeconsider
वायोःvayohof the wind
इवivalike
सुदुष्करम्su-dushkaramvery difficult
Hindi Translation (हिन्दी अर्थ)
हे कृष्ण! मन तो चञ्चल, प्रमथनकारी (उद्वेलित करने वाला), बलवान और दृढ़ है। मैं इसके निग्रह (नियन्त्रण) को वायु के निग्रह के समान अत्यन्त कठिन मानता हूँ।
English Translation
The mind is indeed restless, O Krishna — turbulent, strong, and obstinate. I consider controlling it as difficult as controlling the wind.
Commentary (टीका)
Arjuna gives a vivid and universally relatable description of the mind's nature: chanchala (restless), pramathi (turbulent, violently agitating), balavat (powerful), and dridha (obstinate). His comparison of mind-control to wind-control perfectly captures the seeming impossibility of the task. This verse validates every meditator's experience and sets up Krishna's reassuring response about the practical path to mastery.