In Bhagavad Gita 6.19, Krishna compares the mind of the yogi absorbed in meditation to a lamp in a windless place that does not flicker.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यथा दीपो निवातस्थो
नेङ्गते सोपमा स्मृता
योगिनो यतचित्तस्य
युञ्जतो योगमात्मनः ॥ ६-१९ ॥
yathā dīpo nivātastho
neṅgate sopamā smṛtā
yogino yatacittasya
yuñjato yogamātmanaḥ
English transliteration yathaa deepo nivaatastho
nengate sopamaa smritaa
yogino yatachittasya
yunjato yogamaatmanah ॥ 6.19 ॥
Translation / Meaning
As a lamp in a windless place does not flicker: that is the comparison used for the controlled mind of a yogi practising meditation on the Self.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यथा yathā | as |
| दीपः dīpaḥ | a lamp |
| निवातस्थः nivātasthaḥ | in a windless place nivāta (windless) + sthaḥ (standing) |
| न na | not |
| इङ्गते iṅgate | flickers |
| सा sā | that |
| उपमा upamā | comparison |
| स्मृता smṛtā | is considered |
| योगिनः yoginaḥ | of the yogi |
| यतचित्तस्य yatacittasya | of controlled mind |
| युञ्जतः yuñjataḥ | practising |
| योगम् yogam | meditation |
| आत्मनः ātmanaḥ | on the Self |
Word-wise Chanting
- ya–thā dī–po ni–vā–tas–tho 8 syllables ya-thaa dee-po ni-vaa-tas-tho
- neṅ–ga–te so–pa–mā smṛ–tā | 8 syllables nen-ga-te so-pa-maa smri-taa
- yo–gi–no ya–ta–cit–tas–ya 8 syllables yo-gi-no ya-ta-chit-tas-ya
- yuñ–ja–to yo–ga–māt–ma–naḥ || 6-19 8 syllables yun-ja-to yo-ga-maat-ma-nah
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 19
Context
Krishna gives one of the Gita’s most beautiful images of meditation (continuing 6.18).
Meaning
A flame in a place without wind burns perfectly still and bright. The yogi’s mind in deep meditation is like this flame: steady, unwavering, luminous. The winds of desire and distraction no longer reach it. The light of awareness shines without flickering.
This image can be used directly in meditation. Picture your mind as a still flame. When thoughts arise like gusts of wind, gently return to the stillness. With practice, the flame becomes steady by itself.
In Practice
Light a lamp or candle in a still room. Watch the steady flame for a few minutes, and let your mind become like it.
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.