In Bhagavad Gita 6.10, Krishna instructs that the yogi should constantly concentrate the mind, staying alone in a secluded place, with mind and body controlled, free from desire and possessions.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
योगी युञ्जीत सततम्
आत्मानं रहसि स्थितः
एकाकी यतचित्तात्मा
निराशीरपरिग्रहः ॥ ६-१० ॥
yogī yuñjīta satatam
ātmānaṃ rahasi sthitaḥ
ekākī yatacittātmā
nirāśīraparigrahaḥ
English transliteration yogee yunjeeta satatam
aatmaanam rahasi sthitah
ekaakee yatachittaatmaa
niraasheeraparigrahah ॥ 6.10 ॥
Translation / Meaning
The yogi should constantly concentrate the mind, remaining in solitude, alone, with mind and body controlled, free from desires and without possessions.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| योगी yogī | the yogi |
| युञ्जीत yuñjīta | should concentrate |
| सततम् satatam | constantly |
| आत्मानम् ātmānam | the mind |
| रहसि rahasi | in solitude |
| स्थितः sthitaḥ | remaining |
| एकाकी ekākī | alone |
| यतचित्तात्मा yatacittātmā | with mind and body controlled yata (controlled) + citta (mind) + ātmā (body) |
| निराशीः nirāśīḥ | free from desires |
| अपरिग्रहः aparigrahaḥ | without possessions |
Word-wise Chanting
- yo–gī yuñ–jī–ta sa–ta–tam– 8 syllables yo-gee yun-jee-ta sa-ta-tam-
- āt–mā–naṃ ra–ha–si sthi–taḥ | 8 syllables aat-maa-nam ra-ha-si sthi-tah
- e–kā–kī ya–ta–cit–tāt–mā 8 syllables e-kaa-kee ya-ta-chit-taat-maa
- ni–rā–śī–ra–pa–rig–ra–haḥ || 6-10 8 syllables ni-raa-shee-ra-pa-rig-ra-hah
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 6 Verse 10
Context
Krishna begins detailed instructions for meditation (6.10–6.17).
Meaning
Meditation requires certain conditions: rahas, a secluded place; ekākī, being alone; self-control of mind and body; freedom from desire; and aparigraha, freedom from possessiveness. These outer and inner conditions help the mind settle. The yogi practises satatam, regularly and continuously.
Even a few minutes of solitude daily can transform the mind. In a busy world, making space to be alone and quiet is itself a spiritual act. The inner freedom from craving and possessiveness makes that time fruitful.
In Practice
Find a quiet corner and spend fifteen minutes alone today, with your phone and other distractions away.
Related Verses
Continue Your Study
This verse belongs to Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga (The Yoga of Meditation). 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.