Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6: आत्मसंयमयोग / ध्यानयोग (Dhyana Yoga)

What is taught in Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6?

Chapter 6 (Dhyana Yoga) contains 47 verses in the canonical Mahabharata recension (1 curated in this study edition). The Yoga of Meditation and Self-Control. Practical disciplines for calming the restless mind, proper posture, moderation in food and sleep, and contemplation on the indwelling Self.

Authority Standard: Gita Press Gorakhpur (Code 502 / Sadhaka Sanjivani)

Chapter Summary & Key Spiritual Teachings

The Yoga of Meditation and Self-Control. Practical disciplines for calming the restless mind, proper posture, moderation in food and sleep, and contemplation on the indwelling Self.

Core Teachings:

One must elevate oneself by one's own mind; the mind is one's friend or enemy (Verses 5-6)

Moderation in eating, sleeping, work, and recreation is the foundation of Yoga (Verses 16-17)

The mind is restless like the wind, but can be controlled by Abhyasa (practice) and Vairagya (dispassion) (Verse 35)

The Yogin who worships the Lord with inner devotion is the highest of all (Verse 47)

1 Curated Verses with Gita Press Anvaya & Translation

Shloka 6.5 Gita Press Code 502

उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्।
आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥

uddhared ātmanātmānaṁ nātmānam avasādayet |
ātmaiva hy ātmano bandhur ātmaiva ripur ātmanaḥ ||

पदच्छेद एवं अन्वय (Word-by-word Anvaya):

उद्धरेत् = उद्धार करे; आत्मना = अपने द्वारा; आत्मानम् = अपना; न = न; आत्मानम् = अपने को; अवसादयेत् = अवनति में डाले; आत्मा = आत्मा; एव = ही; हि = क्योंकि; आत्मनः = अपना; बन्धुः = मित्र; आत्मा = आत्मा; एव = ही; रिपुः = शत्रु; आत्मनः = अपना।

गीताप्रेस हिन्दी भावार्थ:

अपने द्वारा अपना उद्धार करे, अपने को अधोगति में न डाले; क्योंकि यह मनुष्य स्वयं ही तो अपना मित्र है और स्वयं ही अपना शत्रु है। (गीताप्रेस कोड 502)

English Translation: "Let a person elevate themselves by their own mind, and not degrade themselves; for the mind alone is one's friend, and the mind alone is one's enemy."