Chapter 6, Verse 17 (Bhagavad Gita 6.17)
Chapter 6: Dhyān Yog – Path of Meditation
Sanskrit Shloka
युक्ताहारविहारस्य युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु। युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य योगो भवति दुःखहा
Transliteration
yuktāhāra-vihārasya yukta-cheṣhṭasya karmasu yukta-svapnāvabodhasya yogo bhavati duḥkha-hā
Word Meanings
yukta—moderate; āhāra—eating; vihārasya—recreation; yukta cheṣhṭasya karmasu—balanced in work; yukta—regulated; svapna-avabodhasya—sleep and wakefulness; yogaḥ—Yog; bhavati—becomes; duḥkha-hā—the slayer of sorrows
Translation
Yoga becomes the destroyer of misery for one who is moderate in eating and recreation, regulated in working, and balanced in sleep and wakefulness.
Meaning & Commentary
This verse presents the 'Golden Mean' as the fundamental prerequisite for spiritual ascension. It teaches that the path to liberation is not found in extreme asceticism or self-indulgence, but in the harmonious balance of our biological and psychological rhythms. By regulating our physical habits, we calm the restless fluctuations of the mind, creating a stable vessel for higher consciousness. This practice transforms the body from a source of distraction into a disciplined instrument for spiritual realization. Ultimately, moderation is the art of living such that our outer life supports, rather than hinders, our inner quest for eternal peace.