In Bhagavad Gita 6.17, Krishna says yoga destroys sorrow for one who is moderate in food and recreation, balanced in work, and regulated in sleep and waking.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
युक्ताहारविहारस्य
युक्तचेष्टस्य कर्मसु
युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य
योगो भवति दुःखहा ॥ ६-१७ ॥
yuktāhāravihārasya
yuktaceṣṭasya karmasu
yuktasvapnāvabodhasya
yogo bhavati duḥkhahā
English transliteration yuktaahaaravihaarasya
yuktacheshtasya karmasu
yuktasvapnaavabodhasya
yogo bhavati duhkhahaa ॥ 6.17 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Yoga destroys all sorrow for one who is moderate in food and recreation, balanced in the performance of actions, and regulated in sleep and waking.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| युक्ताहारविहारस्य yuktāhāravihārasya | of one moderate in food and recreation yukta (moderate) + āhāra (food) + vihārasya (recreation) |
| युक्तचेष्टस्य yuktaceṣṭasya | of one balanced in effort yukta (balanced) + ceṣṭasya (effort) |
| कर्मसु karmasu | in actions |
| युक्तस्वप्नावबोधस्य yuktasvapnāvabodhasya | of one regulated in sleep and waking yukta (regulated) + svapna (sleep) + avabodhasya (waking) |
| योगः yogaḥ | yoga |
| भवति bhavati | becomes |
| दुःखहा duḥkhahā | destroyer of sorrow duḥkha (sorrow) + hā (destroying) |
Word-wise Chanting
- yuk–tā–hā–ra–vi–hā–ras–ya 8 syllables yuk-taa-haa-ra-vi-haa-ras-ya
- yuk–ta–ceṣ–ṭas–ya kar–ma–su | 8 syllables yuk-ta-chesh-tas-ya kar-ma-su
- yuk–tas–vap–nā–va–bo–dhas–ya 8 syllables yuk-tas-vap-naa-va-bo-dhas-ya
- yo–go bha–va–ti duḥ–kha–hā || 6-17 8 syllables yo-go bha-va-ti duh-kha-haa
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 17
Context
Krishna gives the positive form of the principle of moderation (6.16).
Meaning
The word yukta, balanced or appropriate, is repeated three times: in food and recreation, in work, and in sleep and waking. For such a balanced person, yoga becomes duḥkhahā, the destroyer of sorrow. A harmonious life is the soil in which meditation can flourish.
This verse is practical life guidance: regular meals, healthy recreation, balanced work and consistent sleep. Many modern problems of stress and anxiety arise from imbalance in these areas. The Gita reminds us that spiritual life begins with a well-ordered daily life.
In Practice
Create a simple daily rhythm: regular times for meals, work, rest and sleep. Follow it for a week and notice its effect on your mind.
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.