In Bhagavad Gita 15.11, Krishna says striving yogis see the Self established within themselves, but those of impure mind and lacking discernment do not see it, even though they strive.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यतन्तो योगिनश्चैनं
पश्यन्त्यात्मन्यवस्थितम्
यतन्तोऽप्यकृतात्मानो
नैनं पश्यन्त्यचेतसः ॥ १५-११ ॥
yatanto yoginaścainaṃ
paśyantyātmanyavasthitam
yatanto’pyakṛtātmāno
nainaṃ paśyantyacetasaḥ
English transliteration yatanto yoginashchainam
pashyantyaatmanyavasthitam
yatanto’pyakritaatmaano
nainam pashyantyachetasah ॥ 15.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Striving yogis see Him dwelling within themselves. But those who are unpurified and lacking in understanding do not see Him, even though they strive.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यतन्तः yatantaḥ | striving |
| योगिनः yoginaḥ | yogis |
| च ca | and |
| एनम् enam | Him |
| पश्यन्ति paśyanti | see |
| आत्मनि ātmani | within themselves |
| अवस्थितम् avasthitam | dwelling |
| यतन्तः yatantaḥ | striving |
| अपि api | even though |
| अकृतात्मानः akṛtātmānaḥ | unpurified akṛta (unprepared) + ātmānaḥ (selves) |
| न na | not |
| एनम् enam | Him |
| पश्यन्ति paśyanti | see |
| अचेतसः acetasaḥ | lacking understanding |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–tan–to yo–gi–naś–cai–naṃ 8 syllables ya-tan-to yo-gi-nash-chai-nam
- paś–yan–tyāt–man–ya–vas–thi–tam | 8 syllables pash-yan-tyaat-man-ya-vas-thi-tam
- ya–tan–to–‘pya–kṛ–tāt–mā–no 8 syllables ya-tan-to-‘pya-kri-taat-maa-no
- nai–naṃ paś–yan–tya–ce–ta–saḥ || 15-11 8 syllables nai-nam pash-yan-tya-che-ta-sah
How to read this
How to chant: each line is one pāda (quarter-verse); chant it in one breath. The hyphen (-) divides the syllables, inside a word and across a sandhi join, so every pāda shows its 8 syllables (11 in triṣṭubh verses). A consonant cluster is divided after its first consonant (kar-ma, vet-ti): that syllable is held longer. Mark above a syllable: guru, long (two beats); laghu, short (one beat). | closes the half-verse, || the verse; the number is the syllable count of the pāda.
Deeper Explanation – Chapter 15 Verse 11
Context
Krishna concludes his explanation of the soul (15.7–15.11).
Meaning
Effort alone is not enough. Yogis who strive with purified minds see the Self within. Those who are akṛtātman, whose minds are not yet purified, and acetas, without true understanding, cannot see it even if they make an effort.
Purification of the mind through ethical living, devotion and practice is the precondition for inner vision.
In Practice
Do one thing today that purifies your mind: speak truthfully, act kindly or let go of resentment.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 15: Purushottama Yoga (The Supreme Person). Read the chapter overview, browse every verse of the Gita, or return to the chapter-by-chapter guide. For a reading plan, see how to study the Bhagavad Gita and the study resources.