In Bhagavad Gita 6.14, Krishna says the meditator should be serene and fearless, firm in self-restraint, controlling the mind, thinking of him and holding him as the supreme goal.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
प्रशान्तात्मा विगतभीर्
ब्रह्मचारिव्रते स्थितः
मनः संयम्य मच्चित्तो
युक्त आसीत मत्परः ॥ ६-१४ ॥
praśāntātmā vigatabhīr
brahmacārivrate sthitaḥ
manaḥ saṃyamya maccitto
yukta āsīta matparaḥ
English transliteration prashaantaatmaa vigatabheer
brahmachaarivrate sthitah
manah samyamya machchitto
yukta aaseeta matparah ॥ 6.14 ॥
Translation / Meaning
serene and fearless, firm in the vow of self-restraint, controlling the mind, with thoughts fixed on Me, he should sit steadfast, holding Me as the supreme goal.
Verses 6.13–6.14 form one sentence.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| प्रशान्तात्मा praśāntātmā | serene praśānta (calm) + ātmā (self) |
| विगतभीः vigatabhīḥ | fearless vigata (gone) + bhīḥ (fear) |
| ब्रह्मचारिव्रते brahmacārivrate | in the vow of self-restraint brahmacāri (celibate student) + vrate (vow) |
| स्थितः sthitaḥ | firm |
| मनः manaḥ | mind |
| संयम्य saṃyamya | controlling |
| मच्चित्तः maccittaḥ | with thoughts fixed on Me mat (Me) + cittaḥ (thoughts) |
| युक्तः yuktaḥ | steadfast |
| आसीत āsīta | should sit |
| मत्परः matparaḥ | holding Me as supreme |
Word-wise Chanting
- pra–śān–tāt–mā vi–ga–ta–bhīr– 8 syllables pra-shaan-taat-maa vi-ga-ta-bheer-
- brah–ma–cā–riv–ra–te sthi–taḥ | 8 syllables brah-ma-chaa-riv-ra-te sthi-tah
- ma–naḥ saṃ–yam–ya mac–cit–to 8 syllables ma-nah sam-yam-ya mach-chit-to
- yuk–ta ā–sī–ta mat–pa–raḥ || 6-14 8 syllables yuk-ta aa-see-ta mat-pa-rah
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 14
Context
The instructions on meditation continue from 6.13, adding the inner attitude.
Meaning
Beyond posture, the meditator needs serenity and fearlessness, and the discipline of brahmacarya, self-restraint, especially of sensual energy. The mind is controlled and directed to the Divine, mat-citta, thinking of Krishna, and mat-para, holding him as the highest goal. Meditation becomes devotion.
Fearlessness is an unexpected but important quality. Deep meditation can bring up unfamiliar experiences; a fearful mind resists them. Trust in the Divine makes the meditator fearless. Devotion gives the mind a loving centre to rest in.
In Practice
Begin your meditation by inviting the Divine’s presence. Let trust replace fear, and rest your mind on that presence.
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.