In Bhagavad Gita 6.36, Krishna says yoga is hard to attain for one who is not self-controlled, but it can be attained by one who is self-controlled and strives by the right means.
Sanskrit Verse
श्रीभगवानुवाच · The Blessed Lord said
असंयतात्मना योगो
दुष्प्राप इति मे मतिः
वश्यात्मना तु यतता
शक्योऽवाप्तुमुपायतः ॥ ६-३६ ॥
asaṃyatātmanā yogo
duṣprāpa iti me matiḥ
vaśyātmanā tu yatatā
śakyo’vāptumupāyataḥ
English transliteration asamyataatmanaa yogo
dushpraapa iti me matih
vashyaatmanaa tu yatataa
shakyo’vaaptumupaayatah ॥ 6.36 ॥
Translation / Meaning
In My view, yoga is difficult to attain for one who is not self-controlled. But it can be attained by the self-controlled person who strives by the right means.
Word Meanings
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| असंयतात्मना asaṃyatātmanā | by one who is not self-controlled asaṃyata (uncontrolled) + ātmanā (self) |
| योगः yogaḥ | yoga |
| दुष्प्रापः duṣprāpaḥ | difficult to attain |
| इति iti | thus |
| मे me | My |
| मतिः matiḥ | view |
| वश्यात्मना vaśyātmanā | by the self-controlled vaśya (controlled) + ātmanā (self) |
| तु tu | but |
| यतता yatatā | striving |
| शक्यः śakyaḥ | possible |
| अवाप्तुम् avāptum | to attain |
| उपायतः upāyataḥ | by the right means |
Word-wise Chanting
- a–saṃ–ya–tāt–ma–nā yo–go 8 syllables a-sam-ya-taat-ma-naa yo-go
- duṣ–prā–pa i–ti me ma–tiḥ | 8 syllables dush-praa-pa i-ti me ma-tih
- vaś–yāt–ma–nā tu ya–ta–tā 8 syllables vash-yaat-ma-naa tu ya-ta-taa
- śak–yo–‘vāp–tu–mu–pā–ya–taḥ || 6-36 8 syllables shak-yo-‘vaap-tu-mu-paa-ya-tah
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 36
Context
Krishna adds encouragement to the method of 6.35.
Meaning
Without self-control, yoga remains elusive. But with self-mastery, steady effort, yatatā, and the right means, upāya, it becomes śakya, possible. Krishna does not promise that yoga is easy, only that it is attainable. That is enough to inspire sincere effort.
The verse balances realism with hope. Spiritual life is not for the lazy, but neither is it impossible. With self-control and intelligent, persistent effort, anyone can progress. Knowing the right methods saves much wasted energy.
In Practice
Identify one “right means” you could use more: a teacher, a better routine, a supportive community. Take a step to use 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.