Introduction

In Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita, Shree Krishna elaborates on the practice and goal of meditation. Titled Dhyana Yoga, or the Yoga of Meditation, this chapter bridges the gap between action and transcendence. After establishing the necessity of detached action in the previous chapters, Krishna now reveals the inner practice that leads to spiritual realization—meditation.

This is not mere quiet sitting. Meditation here means the disciplined communion of the soul with God. It is a yogic process rooted in inner balance, self-control, and one-pointed focus. Krishna also addresses the fate of those who fall from the path, revealing his infinite compassion.

1. Who is a True Renunciate and Yogi?

Verse 6.1
“One who performs their prescribed duties without attachment to the results is both a renunciant and a yogi, not the one who merely abstains from fire sacrifices or worldly activities.”
BG 6.1 – View Verse

Story: Lord Ram’s Supreme Detachment

Ram: The Embodiment of Detachment in Action

Lord Ram stands as the living embodiment of Dhyana Yoga and renunciation in action. His life offers a timeless lesson on detachment, especially during the defining moments surrounding his coronation and exile.

The night before his coronation, Ayodhya was immersed in joy. Preparations were underway to anoint Ram as the new king. People adorned the streets with flowers, musicians filled the air with melodies, and the royal household was brimming with celebration. Yet, amidst all this, Lord Ram remained serene and unaffected. He neither let pride nor excitement take root in his heart. He humbly accepted the honor as his duty to serve the kingdom, not as a personal achievement.

But the very next morning, everything changed.

Kaikeyi demanded that her son Bharata be crowned king, and Ram be exiled to the forest for 14 years. Without any trace of sorrow, anger, or resistance, Ram immediately accepted the decree. He offered pranams to Kaikeyi and consoled a heartbroken Dasharatha. He even reassured his mother Kaushalya and comforted his grieving subjects. Clad in simple bark garments, he left for the forest with a gentle smile and unwavering calm.

Ram stayed steady—unmoved by honor or by loss.

This response is not ordinary—it is the response of a true yogi.

Ram did not jubilate in the face of honor, nor despair in the face of loss. He maintained perfect equanimity in both situations—true to Bhagavad Gita 6.1, where Krishna says the real renunciate is one who performs his duties without attachment to the results.

Lesson from Ram’s Life (Based on BG 6.1)

A true yogi is not swayed by pleasure or pain, success or loss. Ram’s balanced reaction to kingship and exile reveals the essence of renunciation in action. Such a person lives in the world but remains untouched by its dualities—a true karm yogi and dhyana yogi.

🔗 Read Bhagavad Gita 6.1

2. Self-Discipline: The Foundation of Yoga

Verse 6.5
“One must elevate oneself by one’s own mind, not degrade it. The mind alone is the friend and the enemy of the self.”
BG 6.5 – View Verse

Reference: Patanjali Yog Sutra

Patanjali says, “Yogah chitta vritti nirodhah”—Yoga is the stilling of the modifications of the mind. The mind, when controlled, is the ladder to liberation. But if left unchecked, it binds the soul to the material world.

Story: Swami Vivekananda and the Power of Self-Mastery

Unshakable Will: Vivekananda Resisted All Temptation

Swami Vivekananda, one of India's most revered spiritual giants, embodied the message of self-discipline and inner strength throughout his life. A particular incident from his youth demonstrates the depth of his mental control.

When Swami Vivekananda (then Narendranath Dutta) was still a student, he had a keen interest in physical fitness, meditation, and spiritual practices. To strengthen his willpower and concentration, he began performing intense exercises in mental restraint.

Once, as part of his training in vairagya (detachment), he placed a tempting plate of sweets before him—his favorite delicacy at the time. He then sat in deep meditation for hours without touching the food. He observed his thoughts and emotions rising with craving, but resisted every urge with unflinching resolve.

He later remarked that the greatest strength a person can possess is control over their own mind and senses—not brute physical strength or worldly power.

“You have to grow from the inside out. None can teach you, none can make you spiritual. There is no other teacher but your own soul.”
– Swami Vivekananda

Support from Patanjali Yog Sutra

“Abhyasa vairagyabhyam tannirodhah” – Control over the fluctuations of the mind is achieved through persistent practice (abhyasa) and detachment (vairagya).

Lesson

Discipline is not denial—it is freedom. When we train the mind not to be swayed by urges, we gain mastery over life itself. Swami Vivekananda’s example teaches us that even everyday temptations are opportunities for yogic victory.

3. The Peace of the Equanimous Yogi

Verse 6.7
“The yogi whose mind is tranquil, who has conquered the self, and is free from desire and anger, is situated in transcendence.”
BG 6.7 – View Verse

Story from Mahabharat: Vidura’s Calm Wisdom

Vidura, despite being surrounded by chaos and adharmic kings, remained steady, peaceful, and wise. His equanimity was born from inner stability and meditation.

Support from Upanishads:

The Katha Upanishad states: “When all the senses are stilled, and the mind is at rest, that is the highest state.”

Lesson

When anger and desire are conquered, the soul blossoms in inner peace. Meditation is the tool for this mastery.

4. The Art of Meditation: Where and How

Meditation is not just a technique—it is a sacred communion with God.
Verse 6.11
“Let the yogi firmly fix the seat in a clean place, neither too high nor too low, made of kusa grass, a deer skin, and a cloth one over the other.”
🔗 BG 6.11 – View Verse
Verse 6.14
“With mind serene and fearless, firm in the vow of celibacy, let the yogi sit in meditation, fixing the mind on Me and having Me as the supreme goal.”
🔗 BG 6.14 – View Verse

Swami Mukundananda’s Interpretation and Insights

In his enlightening discourse, Swami Mukundananda emphasizes that meditation is not just a technique—it is a sacred communion with God. To do it effectively, both external preparation and internal alignment are essential. Bhagavad Gita verses 6.11–14 offer very practical and timeless guidance, which Swamiji breaks down step-by-step in his teachings:

1. Choose a Quiet and Sacred Place

Swami Mukundananda explains that the environment impacts the mind. A clean, peaceful, and dedicated space helps the mind turn inward. Lord Krishna specifically advises that the meditation seat should be firm and not too high or too low, signifying mental stability and groundedness.

Swamiji says: “Just as a businessman prepares his desk before important work, a seeker must prepare the environment—physically and mentally—for divine meditation.”

2. Posture Matters: Upright and Still

According to Gita 6.13, the yogi should sit upright with spine, head, and neck in a straight line, and the gaze slightly fixed between the eyebrows. Swami Mukundananda elaborates that the posture affects the subtle energy flow and helps stabilize the wandering mind.

He adds that stillness in the body aids stillness in the mind. Fidgeting, slouching, or lying down leads to lethargy and distraction.

3. Control the Mind and Senses

Swamiji stresses that successful meditation is not about closing your eyes, but about focusing your mind. Most people think they’re meditating, but their mind is still running after worldly thoughts. That is not meditation—it is daydreaming with closed eyes.

By turning the senses inward and training the mind to rest on one divine object—preferably the form or name of God—true dhyana begins.

Swamiji says: “Meditation means lovingly holding one divine thought in your mind and excluding everything else.”

4. Meditate on the Supreme: God as the Goal

“Fix the mind on Me,” says Krishna in Verse 6.14.
Swami Mukundananda highlights this as the most important principle. We are not meditating on blankness or silence—we are meditating on Shree Krishna as the ultimate destination and goal of life.

Swamiji recommends Roopdhyan meditation, where one visualizes the Lord’s divine form in the heart, feels His loving presence, and offers one’s thoughts and emotions to Him. This turns meditation into a devotional practice, elevating it beyond dry technique.

5. Purity, Fearlessness, and Brahmacharya

Lord Krishna adds that the yogi should be pure, fearless, and disciplined, ideally practicing celibacy (brahmacharya). Swamiji explains that fearlessness comes from divine faith, and purity is achieved through regular practice, sattvic diet, and association with the holy.

Brahmacharya doesn’t only mean celibacy—it also means channeling energy away from sense enjoyment toward God-realization.

Lesson (Based on BG 6.11–14 & Swamiji’s Teachings)

Meditation is both a science and an art. The posture, place, discipline, and focus are its framework—but the soul of meditation is love for God. When practiced correctly, it transforms the restless mind into a vessel of divine bliss and clarity.

5. The Focused Mind is the Greatest Yogi

Verse 6.19
“As a lamp in a windless place does not flicker, such is the state of a yogi whose mind is fixed on God in meditation.”
BG 6.19 – View Verse

Story from Bhagavatam: Dhruva’s Unshaken Meditation

Dhruva, only five years old, meditated with such intensity that the Lord appeared before him. Despite the temptations and distractions of the world, his mind was like a flame undisturbed by wind.

Saint's Insight: Sant Tukaram

Tukaram's bhakti was rooted in deep inner meditation. Even while walking or doing chores, his heart was fixed on Vitthala. No external storm could shake his inner light.

Lesson

Meditation brings a calm, steady focus that burns brighter than intellect. A still mind becomes a divine beacon.

6. Supreme Bliss through God-Union

Verse 6.21-22
“In that state of divine consciousness, the yogi experiences the boundless, transcendental happiness that can only be grasped through intellect purified by devotion.”
BG 6.21 – View Verse

Story: Lord Hanuman’s Inner Bliss

Though constantly engaged in service, Hanuman was ever-immersed in Ram bhakti. When asked what he desired from Ram, he replied, “Only to remember You, O Lord, and chant Your name forever.” This inner joy surpassed all material pleasures.

Upanishadic Reference:

The Taittiriya Upanishad defines the highest bliss as that which arises from unity with Brahman, far beyond sensory pleasures.

Lesson

The true joy of meditation is not relaxation—but divine union. It is spiritual intoxication beyond the senses.

7. Detachment from Success and Failure

Verse 6.9
“One who regards well-wishers, friends, foes, the virtuous, and the sinful with equal mind is truly elevated.”
BG 6.9 – View Verse

Mahabharat Story: Arjun and Karna

Before the war, Arjun questioned why Karna was treated so harshly despite his valor. Krishna replied that outer skill doesn't prove inner equality. True greatness lies in treating all with balance—beyond praise and insult.

Support from Patanjali:

Vairagya (detachment) is the fruit of meditation. A true yogi becomes free of likes and dislikes.

Lesson

Equanimity is the measure of inner growth. Meditation dissolves judgment and reveals the divine in all.

8. Perseverance on the Path of Yoga

Verse 6.23-24
“Let the yogi firmly resolve and gradually withdraw the mind from distractions, fix it in the Self alone, and never allow it to wander.”
BG 6.23 – View Verse

Puranic Story: Narad Muni’s Determination

Narad was once mocked for not being a great yogi. Yet, his unwavering chanting of "Narayana" and perseverance earned him divine vision. Over time, his mind, too, stilled into meditative ecstasy.

Lesson

Spiritual mastery doesn’t happen overnight. Every return to focus is a victory. The Lord treasures every step.

9. The Fate of a Fallen Yogi

Verse 6.37-39
“What happens to the unsuccessful yogi who fails to attain perfection? Does he not perish like a riven cloud?”
BG 6.37 – View Verse

Krishna’s Assurance

Verse 6.40
“O Arjuna, neither in this world nor the next is there destruction for such a yogi. One who strives for good never meets a bad end.”
BG 6.40 – View Verse

Story: Jada Bharata (Bhagavatam)

Born into a royal family, Jada Bharata renounced worldly life but got attached to a deer. Reborn due to this attachment, he retained divine memory and later attained liberation through intense meditation.

Lesson

No sincere effort is ever wasted. Even if we fall, God carries us forward. The seed of dhyana never dies.

10. Rebirth into Favorable Circumstances

Verse 6.41-42
“Such yogis are reborn in pious and prosperous families, or in families of yogis, where they regain the wisdom of past lives.”
BG 6.41 – View Verse

Saint’s Life: Ramana Maharshi

Ramana, even as a child, entered states of deep samadhi without formal training—signs of a yogi continuing from previous births. His life of stillness and Self-awareness became a living example of Dhyana Yoga.

Lesson

Every soul carries its yogic progress into the next life. God ensures the journey continues smoothly.

11. The Yogi is Greater than All

Verse 6.46
“The yogi is greater than the ascetic, greater than the jnani, greater than the ritualist. Therefore, become a yogi.”
BG 6.46 – View Verse

Final Glory of Meditation

Verse 6.47
“Of all yogis, one who worships Me with unwavering devotion, always meditating on Me within, is the highest of all.”
BG 6.47 – View Verse

Story: Meera Bai’s Inner Meditation

Though persecuted, Meera meditated on Shree Krishna continuously. Her external life was turbulent, but her soul was always united with her Lord.

Lesson

Devotion makes meditation divine. The yogi who meditates on God with love becomes the dearest to Him.

Conclusion: Become the Yogi

Chapter 6 of the Bhagavad Gita doesn’t just teach meditation—it offers a complete path to divine realization. With discipline, devotion, and detachment, one can rise beyond fear and doubt to abide in eternal peace.

Call to Action

Want to learn how to meditate according to the Gita?
👉 Explore the Gita online: www.holy-bhagavad-gita.org for chapter-by-chapter verse meanings and commentary.
👉 Subscribe to Swami Mukundananda’s YouTube Channel for powerful discourses, guided meditations, and wisdom from the Gita.
👉 Join JKYog & Radha Krishna Temple Online Classes to apply Bhagavad Gita's teachings to your daily life through structured learning and practice.
📲 Download the Bhagavad Gita – Krishna Bhakti App on your mobile to read, listen, and meditate on the Gita anytime—with verse-by-verse meaning, commentary, and audio recitations.

✨ Begin your journey of self-realization today—practice Dhyana Yoga and discover the divine within.

Frequently Asked Questions on Dhyana Yog

1. What is Dhyana Yoga according to the Bhagavad Gita?

Dhyana Yoga is the path of meditation that leads to self-realization and union with the Supreme. It involves disciplining the mind, withdrawing from distractions, and meditating on the divine with focused devotion. (BG 6.11–14)

2. Can householders practice Dhyana Yoga?

Yes. Shree Krishna emphasizes that even those living in the world can practice meditation by performing duties with detachment and setting aside time for inner stillness. (BG 6.1)

3. What happens if someone fails or falls from the path of yoga?

Krishna assures that no spiritual effort is ever wasted. Such a person is reborn in favorable circumstances and continues from where they left off. (BG 6.40–41)

4. What is the highest form of meditation in the Gita?

Meditation infused with devotion to God (bhakti) is declared supreme. Among all yogis, one who meditates on God with love is the highest. (BG 6.47)

5. How do I begin Dhyana Yoga in daily life?

Start by creating a calm space, sitting regularly at the same time, focusing on your breath or a divine form, and slowly withdrawing the mind from distractions. Regularity, patience, and devotion are key. (BG 6.24–26)

References

🔹 Bhagavad Gita (Primary Scripture)

🔹 Swami Mukundananda’s Teachings

🔹 Scriptures and Texts

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