Bhagavad Gita · Verse 12.9
Chapter 12: Bhakti Yoga (भक्तियोगः)
(The Supreme Lord said)
अथ चित्तं समाधातुं न शक्नोषि मयि स्थिरम् । अभ्यासयोगेन ततो मामिच्छाप्तुं धनञ्जय ॥९॥
atha cittaṃ samādhātuṃ na śaknoṣi mayi sthiram | abhyāsayogena tato māmicchāptuṃ dhanañjaya ||9||
Complete Shloka Translation
If you cannot keep your mind steadily fixed in Me, then seek to attain Me through the yoga of repeated practice, Dhananjaya.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| अभ्यास | abhyāsa | repeated practice |
| स्थिर | sthira | steady |
| अथ | atha | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| चित्तं | cittaṃ | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| समाधातुं | samādhātuṃ | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| शक्नोषि | na | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| मयि | śaknoṣi | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| स्थिरम् | mayi | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| अभ्यासयोगेन | sthiram | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| ततो | abhyāsayogena | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| मामिच्छाप्तुं | tato | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
| धनञ्जय | māmicchāptuṃ | [term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s... |
repeated practice
steady
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
[term] in context of If you cannot keep your mind s...
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
Krishna offers repeated practice when continuous steadiness is difficult. This begins a sequence of accessible approaches matched to capacity.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Return patiently to your practice when attention wanders."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What small practice can you return to patiently?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master daily focus: anchor your consciousness in higher values, let go of anxious attachment to results, and act with integrity and kindness in every endeavor.