In Bhagavad Gita 6.2, Krishna says that what is called renunciation is yoga, for no one becomes a yogi without renouncing selfish intention.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यं संन्यासमिति प्राहुर्
योगं तं विद्धि पाण्डव
न ह्यसंन्यस्तसङ्कल्पो
योगी भवति कश्चन ॥ ६-२ ॥
yaṃ saṃnyāsamiti prāhur
yogaṃ taṃ viddhi pāṇḍava
na hyasaṃnyastasaṅkalpo
yogī bhavati kaścana
English transliteration yam samnyaasamiti praahur
yogam tam viddhi paandava
na hyasamnyastasankalpo
yogee bhavati kashchana ॥ 6.2 ॥
Translation / Meaning
Know that what they call renunciation is yoga, O Pandava. For no one becomes a yogi without renouncing selfish intention.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यम् yam | which |
| संन्यासम् saṃnyāsam | renunciation |
| इति iti | thus |
| प्राहुः prāhuḥ | they call |
| योगम् yogam | yoga |
| तम् tam | that |
| विद्धि viddhi | know |
| पाण्डव pāṇḍava | O son of Pāṇḍu |
| न na | not |
| हि hi | indeed |
| असंन्यस्तसङ्कल्पः asaṃnyastasaṅkalpaḥ | one who has not renounced selfish intention asaṃnyasta (not renounced) + saṅkalpaḥ (intention) |
| योगी yogī | a yogi |
| भवति bhavati | becomes |
| कश्चन kaścana | anyone |
Word-wise Chanting
- yaṃ saṃn–yā–sa–mi–ti prā–hur– 8 syllables yam samn-yaa-sa-mi-ti praa-hur-
- yo–gaṃ taṃ vid–dhi pāṇ–ḍa–va | 8 syllables yo-gam tam vid-dhi paan-da-va
- na hya–saṃn–yas–ta–saṅ–kal–po 8 syllables na hya-samn-yas-ta-san-kal-po
- yo–gī bha–va–ti kaś–ca–na || 6-2 8 syllables yo-gee bha-va-ti kash-cha-na
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 2
Context
Krishna continues to unite renunciation and yoga (following 6.1).
Meaning
Saṅkalpa means the self-centred intention or mental scheming that seeks personal outcomes. Renouncing it is the heart of both saṃnyāsa and yoga. Without letting go of saṅkalpa, no one can be a yogi, because the mind will keep running after its plans and cannot become still.
This verse explains why meditation often fails: the mind is full of plans and wishes. Real renunciation is the release of these inner schemes. When we let go of saṅkalpa, both action and meditation become easier.
In Practice
Before meditating today, consciously set aside your plans and wishes for the duration of the sitting.
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.