In Bhagavad Gita 6.20, Krishna says that when the mind, restrained by the practice of yoga, becomes still, and one sees the Self by the Self, one is content in the Self.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
यत्रोपरमते चित्तं
निरुद्धं योगसेवया
यत्र चैवात्मनात्मानं
पश्यन्नात्मनि तुष्यति ॥ ६-२० ॥
yatroparamate cittaṃ
niruddhaṃ yogasevayā
yatra caivātmanātmānaṃ
paśyannātmani tuṣyati
English transliteration yatroparamate chittam
niruddham yogasevayaa
yatra chaivaatmanaatmaanam
pashyannaatmani tushyati ॥ 6.20 ॥
Translation / Meaning
When the mind, restrained by the practice of yoga, becomes still, and when, seeing the Self by the self, one is satisfied in the Self,
Verses 6.20–6.23 form one sentence describing the state of yoga.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| यत्र yatra | when |
| उपरमते uparamate | becomes still |
| चित्तम् cittam | the mind |
| निरुद्धम् niruddham | restrained |
| योगसेवया yogasevayā | by the practice of yoga yoga (yoga) + sevayā (by practice) |
| यत्र yatra | when |
| च ca | and |
| एव eva | indeed |
| आत्मना ātmanā | by the self |
| आत्मानम् ātmānam | the Self |
| पश्यन् paśyan | seeing |
| आत्मनि ātmani | in the Self |
| तुष्यति tuṣyati | is satisfied |
Word-wise Chanting
- yat–ro–pa–ra–ma–te cit–taṃ 8 syllables yat-ro-pa-ra-ma-te chit-tam
- ni–rud–dhaṃ yo–ga–se–va–yā | 8 syllables ni-rud-dham yo-ga-se-va-yaa
- yat–ra cai–vāt–ma–nāt–mā–naṃ 8 syllables yat-ra chai-vaat-ma-naat-maa-nam
- paś–yan–nāt–ma–ni tuṣ–ya–ti || 6-20 8 syllables pash-yan-naat-ma-ni tush-ya-ti
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 20
Context
Krishna describes the experience of deep meditation (6.20–6.23).
Meaning
Through practice, the mind becomes niruddha, restrained, and then uparamate, comes to rest. In that stillness, the Self is seen by the purified mind, and one is satisfied in the Self. This is the moment of direct recognition, where seeker and sought are no longer separate.
The verse describes the fruit of meditation in simple words: stillness, seeing and contentment. The Self is not seen as an object, but recognised as one’s own deepest being. This recognition brings a satisfaction that no outer experience can give.
In Practice
After your meditation today, rest for a few minutes without any technique, simply being aware. Notice any quiet contentment that arises.
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.