Topic

Patience

4 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on patience. Explore teachings across 2 chapters.

All Verses

Chapter 3 • Verse 29 →The Yoga of Action

Prakriti-moha-sammudha sajjante guna-karmasu, tan akrtsna-vido mandan krtsna-vin na vicalayet

Those deluded by the modes of material nature become attached to the actions of the modes. But the person of perfect knowledge should not disturb the slow in understanding who do not know the whole truth.

•Delusion arises from identification with the gunas
•The fully knowing should be patient with partial understanding
•Wisdom includes knowing when not to intervene

delusion gunas wisdom teaching

Chapter 6 • Verse 25 →The Yoga of Meditation

Shanaih shanair uparamed buddhya dhriti-grihitaya, atma-samstham manah kritva na kinchid api chintayet

Gradually, step by step, with the intellect endowed with steadiness, one should bring the mind to stillness, and think of nothing else.

•Gradual progress in meditation
•Use intellect to guide the mind
•Complete mental stillness is the goal

gradual progress meditation mental stillness intellect

Chapter 6 • Verse 26 →The Yoga of Meditation

Yato yato nishcharati manash chanchalam asthiram, tatas tato niyamyaitad atmany eva vasham nayet

Whenever and wherever the restless and unsteady mind wanders, one should bring it back to focus on the self.

•The mind will wander—this is natural
•Gently bring it back again and again
•Practice patience with yourself

wandering mind practice focus self-discipline

Chapter 6 • Verse 35 →The Yoga of Meditation

Asanshayam maha-baho mano durnigraham calam, abhyasena tu kaunteya vairagyena ca grhyate

The mind is restless and difficult to restrain, but it is subdued by practice and detachment.

•The mind requires consistent practice
•Patience and persistence are key
•Detachment aids mental control

mind control practice detachment discipline