In Bhagavad Gita 17.16, Krishna says serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control and purity of heart are called austerity of the mind.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
मनः प्रसादः सौम्यत्वं
मौनमात्मविनिग्रहः
भावसंशुद्धिरित्येतत्
तपो मानसमुच्यते ॥ १७-१६ ॥
manaḥ prasādaḥ saumyatvaṃ
maunamātmavinigrahaḥ
bhāvasaṃśuddhirityetat
tapo mānasamucyate
English transliteration manah prasaadah saumyatvam
maunamaatmavinigrahah
bhaavasamshuddhirityetat
tapo maanasamuchyate ॥ 17.16 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Serenity of mind, gentleness, silence, self-control and purity of heart: these are called austerity of the mind.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| मनःप्रसादः manaḥprasādaḥ | serenity of mind manaḥ (mind) + prasādaḥ (serenity) |
| सौम्यत्वम् saumyatvam | gentleness |
| मौनम् maunam | silence |
| आत्मविनिग्रहः ātmavinigrahaḥ | self-control |
| भावसंशुद्धिः bhāvasaṃśuddhiḥ | purity of heart bhāva (heart) + saṃśuddhiḥ (purity) |
| इति iti | thus |
| एतत् etat | this |
| तपः tapaḥ | austerity |
| मानसम् mānasam | of the mind |
| उच्यते ucyate | is called |
Word-wise Chanting
- ma–naḥ pra–sā–daḥ saum–yat–vaṃ 8 syllables ma-nah pra-saa-dah saum-yat-vam
- mau–na–māt–ma–vi–nig–ra–haḥ | 8 syllables mau-na-maat-ma-vi-nig-ra-hah
- bhā–va–saṃ–śud–dhi–rit–ye–tat– 8 syllables bhaa-va-sam-shud-dhi-rit-ye-tat-
- ta–po mā–na–sa–muc–ya–te || 17-16 8 syllables ta-po maa-na-sa-much-ya-te
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 17 Verse 16
Context
Krishna describes the three kinds of austerity (17.14–17.16).
Meaning
Mental tapas consists of manaḥ-prasāda, a clear and contented mind; saumyatva, gentleness; mauna, inner silence; ātma-vinigraha, mastery of the mind; and bhāva-saṃśuddhi, purity of motive. These are the subtlest and deepest disciplines.
The highest austerity is not of the body but of the mind: cultivating serenity, kindness and pure intention.
In Practice
Practise mental austerity today by keeping your mind calm and your intentions pure in one difficult situation.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 17: Shraddhatraya Vibhaga Yoga (The Threefold Nature of Faith). 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.