Chapter 6, Verse 26
Dhyana Yoga — Sanskrit shloka, transliteration, word meanings, English translation, and commentary.
Original Sanskrit verse
Transliteration
Word meanings
yataḥ yataḥ—whenever and wherever; niśhcharati—wanders; manaḥ—the mind; chañchalam—restless; asthiram—unsteady; tataḥ tataḥ—from there; niyamya—having restrained; etat—this; ātmani—on God; eva—certainly; vaśham—control; nayet—should bring
English translation
From whatever cause the restless and unsteady mind wanders away, let him restrain it from that and bring it under the control of the Self alone.
— Swami Sivananda
Listen to Shloka 6.26
Commentary
In this verse the Lord gives the method to control the mind. Just as you drag the bull again and again to your house when it runs out; so also you will have to drag the mind to your point or centre or Lakshya again and again when it runs towards the external objects. If you give good cotton seed extract; sugar; plantains; etc.; to the bull; it will not turn away but will remain in your house. Even so if you make the mind taste the eternal bliss of the Self within little by little by the practice of concentration; it will gradually abide in the Self only and will not run towards the external objects of the senses. Sound and the other objects only make the mind restless and unsteady. By knowing the defects of the objects of sensual pleasure; by understanding their illusory nature; by the cultivation of discrimination between the Real and the unreal and also dispassion; and by making the mind understand the glory and the splendour of the Self you can wean the mind entirely away from sensual objects and fix it firmly on the Self.
Commentary by Swami Sivananda
Simple Meaning
From whatever cause the restless and unsteady mind wanders away, from that let him restrain it and bring it under the control of the Self alone.
Context & Background
Krishna continues His meditation instructions, explaining what to do when the mind wanders. Arjuna’s comparison of the mind to the wind comes later, in 6.34.
Key Philosophical Teaching
Mind control requires patient, continuous practice (Abhyasa) and detachment (Vairagya). Gently bring the mind back whenever it strays.
Practical Application
When distracted during meditation, work, or study, do not be harsh with yourself. Patiently bring your attention back to your focus point.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should one handle a wandering mind according to BG 6.26?
Gently and repeatedly bring the wandering mind back to the Self without irritation or frustration.
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