Topic

Self-discipline

3 verses from the Bhagavad Gita on self-discipline. Explore teachings across 2 chapters.

All Verses

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 patience practice focus

Chapter 6 • Verse 28 →The Yoga of Meditation

Yunjann evam sadatmanam yogi vigata-kalmashah, sukhena brahma-samsparsham atyantam sukham ashnute

Ever disciplining the self thus, the yogi who is free from impurities easily enjoys the infinite happiness of contact with Brahman. When impurities are removed, contact with Brahman is natural and effortless — an inexhaustible joy that comes as the fruit of practice.

•Freedom from impurity makes contact with Brahman natural
•Continuous self-discipline removes obstacles to Brahman-contact
•The happiness of Brahman-touch is limitless and effortless for the purified yogi

Brahman contact infinite happiness purity effortless joy

Chapter 18 • Verse 52 →The Yoga of Liberation and Renunciation

vivikta-sevi laghv-asi yata-vak-kaya-manasah dhyana-yoga-paro nityam vairagyam samupasritah

Living in solitude, eating lightly, controlling speech, body, and mind, always engaged in the yoga of meditation, taking refuge in dispassion — these further qualities prepare the seeker for the realization of Brahman.

•Solitude, light diet, and sensory restraint support deep meditation
•Consistent practice of dhyana yoga is central to Brahman-realization
•Vairagya — dispassion — is the essential internal refuge on the path to liberation

dhyana vairagya solitude brahman-path