In Bhagavad Gita 6.11, Krishna instructs the yogi to set up a firm seat in a clean place, neither too high nor too low, covered with kusha grass, a deerskin and a cloth.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
शुचौ देशे प्रतिष्ठाप्य
स्थिरमासनमात्मनः
नात्युच्छ्रितं नातिनीचं
चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् ॥ ६-११ ॥
śucau deśe pratiṣṭhāpya
sthiramāsanamātmanaḥ
nātyucchritaṃ nātinīcaṃ
cailājinakuśottaram
English transliteration shuchau deshe pratishthaapya
sthiramaasanamaatmanah
naatyuchchhritam naatineecham
chailaajinakushottaram ॥ 6.11 ॥
Translation / Meaning
In a clean place, he should set up his own firm seat, neither too high nor too low, covered with kusha grass, then a deerskin, and over that a cloth.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| शुचौ śucau | in a clean |
| देशे deśe | place |
| प्रतिष्ठाप्य pratiṣṭhāpya | establishing |
| स्थिरम् sthiram | firm |
| आसनम् āsanam | seat |
| आत्मनः ātmanaḥ | his own |
| न na | not |
| अत्युच्छ्रितम् atyucchritam | too high |
| न na | not |
| अतिनीचम् atinīcam | too low |
| चैलाजिनकुशोत्तरम् cailājinakuśottaram | covered with cloth, deerskin and kuśa grass caila (cloth) + ajina (deerskin) + kuśa (kuśa grass) + uttaram (covered) |
Word-wise Chanting
- śu–cau de–śe pra–tiṣ–ṭhāp–ya 8 syllables shu-chau de-she pra-tish-thaap-ya
- sthi–ra–mā–sa–na–māt–ma–naḥ | 8 syllables sthi-ra-maa-sa-na-maat-ma-nah
- nāt–yuc–chri–taṃ nā–ti–nī–caṃ 8 syllables naat-yuch-chhri-tam naa-ti-nee-cham
- cai–lā–ji–na–ku–śot–ta–ram || 6-11 8 syllables chai-laa-ji-na-ku-shot-ta-ram
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 11
Context
Krishna continues the practical instructions for meditation (6.10–6.17).
Meaning
The meditation seat should be in a śuci, clean and pure, place, firm and stable, at a comfortable height. Traditionally it was layered with kuśa grass, a deerskin and a cloth, for insulation from the ground and comfort. The point is a seat that supports steady, undisturbed sitting.
Today the materials may be different: a cushion, a mat or a chair. But the principle remains: a clean, dedicated, stable place helps the mind settle. Returning to the same seat each day builds a helpful association with stillness.
In Practice
Prepare a clean, steady seat for meditation in your home, and use it at the same time each day.
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.