Bhagavad Gita Chapter 6: Dhyana Yoga
Train the restless mind through meditation, balance and steady practice.
ध्यानयोग — ध्यान, संतुलन और अभ्यास से चंचल मन को साधो।
Chapter 6 of 18 · 47 verses · “The Yoga of Meditation”
Chapter 6 summary
Krishna begins by saying that the real renunciate is the one who does their duty without depending on its results — not the one who merely stops lighting the sacred fire. He then makes one of the Gita’s most empowering statements: lift yourself by yourself; your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy (6.5–6.6).
The chapter gives practical guidance on meditation: a clean, steady seat, a straight posture, a calm and fearless mind, and attention gathered inward. Moderation matters — yoga is not for those who eat or sleep too much or too little (6.16–17). Whenever the restless mind wanders, gently bring it back (6.26). Arjuna objects that the mind is as hard to control as the wind; Krishna agrees, and answers that it can be trained by practice and detachment (6.35). When Arjuna worries about someone who tries and fails, Krishna reassures him: no one who does good ever comes to a bad end (6.40).
Key teachings of chapter 6
- You are responsible for lifting yourself (6.5).
- A trained mind is a friend; an untrained mind is an enemy (6.6).
- Balance in food, sleep, work and rest supports inner steadiness (6.17).
- The restless mind can be trained by practice and detachment (6.35).
- Sincere effort is never wasted (6.40).
Key verses of chapter 6
उद्धरेदात्मनात्मानं नात्मानमवसादयेत्। आत्मैव ह्यात्मनो बन्धुरात्मैव रिपुरात्मनः॥
Lift yourself by your own self; do not let yourself sink. You alone are your own friend, and you alone are your own enemy.
हिंदी अर्थ: मनुष्य को स्वयं अपना उद्धार करना चाहिए, अपने को गिरने नहीं देना चाहिए। मनुष्य स्वयं ही अपना मित्र है और स्वयं ही अपना शत्रु।
- Lift yourself by yourself; do not let yourself sink. You are your own friend and your own enemy. — Gita 6.5
- For one who has mastered the mind, it is the best friend; for one who has not, it acts like an enemy. — Gita 6.6
- For one who is moderate in eating, recreation, work, sleep and waking, yoga destroys sorrow. — Gita 6.17
- Wherever the restless mind wanders, draw it back and bring it under control. — Gita 6.26
- The mind is restless and hard to control, but it can be trained by practice and detachment. — Gita 6.35
- One who does good never comes to a bad end, in this world or the next. — Gita 6.40
What chapter 6 means today
This is the chapter for anyone who struggles with overthinking, distraction or low motivation. Its method is simple and modern: small daily practice, balanced habits, and returning — kindly and repeatedly — to what matters.
Frequently asked questions
How many verses are in chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita?
Chapter 6, Dhyana Yoga, has 47 verses in the standard (Gita Press) numbering.
Which Gita chapter is about meditation?
Chapter 6, Dhyana Yoga (also called Atma Samyama Yoga). It describes how to sit, how to steady the mind, the role of moderation, and how to handle a wandering mind.
What does the Gita say about controlling the mind?
In 6.34–6.35 Arjuna says the mind is as hard to control as the wind. Krishna agrees and says it can be controlled through abhyāsa (steady practice) and vairāgya (detachment).