Chapter 6, Verse 10 (Bhagavad Gita 6.10)
Chapter 6: Dhyān Yog – Path of Meditation
Sanskrit Shloka
योगी युञ्जीत सततमात्मानं रहसि स्थितः। एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा निराशीरपरिग्रहः
Transliteration
yogī yuñjīta satatam ātmānaṁ rahasi sthitaḥ ekākī yata-chittātmā nirāśhīr aparigrahaḥ
Word Meanings
yogī—a yogi; yuñjīta—should remain engaged in meditation; satatam—constantly; ātmānam—self; rahasi—in seclusion; sthitaḥ—remaining; ekākī—alone; yata-chitta-ātmā—with a controlled mind and body; nirāśhīḥ—free from desires; aparigrahaḥ—free from desires for possessions for enjoyment
Translation
A yogi should constantly engage his mind in meditation, remaining in solitude, alone, with the body and mind disciplined, free from desires and the sense of possessiveness.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse emphasizes that spiritual progress is not merely an external act but a rigorous internal discipline requiring physical and mental detachment. By removing the clutter of 'hope'—expectations of results—and 'greed'—the craving for acquisition—the practitioner creates a vacuum for the divine to fill. True solitude is the state of being 'alone' with one's higher self, where the distractions of the ego no longer hold sway. This practice leads to a profound stillness, allowing the individual to transcend worldly anxieties and realize their innate, unchanging nature. Ultimately, it teaches that liberation begins the moment we stop reaching outward and start centering our focus within.