Bhagavad Gita · Verse 6.34
Chapter 6: Atma Sanyama Yoga (Dhyana Yoga) (आत्मसंयमयोगः)
(Arjuna said)
चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम् । तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम् ॥३४॥
cañcalaṃ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa pramāthi balavaddṛḍham | tasyāhaṃ nigrahaṃ manye vāyoriva suduṣkaram ||34||
Complete Shloka Translation
The mind is restless, Krishna, turbulent, strong, and stubborn. I consider restraining it as difficult as restraining the wind.
Word-by-Word Translation (Padartha / Anvaya)
| Sanskrit Term (पद) | IAST Roman | English Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| चञ्चलम् | cañcalam | fickle and rapidly wavering |
| हि | hi | surely / indeed |
| मनः | manaḥ | the mind |
| कृष्ण | kṛṣṇa | O Krishna |
| प्रमाथि | pramāthi | turbulent and agitating |
| बलवत् | balavat | exceedingly strong and powerful |
| दृढम् | dṛḍham | stubborn and unyielding |
| तस्य | tasya | of that stubborn mind |
| अहम् | aham | I |
| निग्रहम् | nigraham | curbing and control |
| मन्ये | manye | consider |
| वायोः इव | vāyoḥ iva | like the raging tempestuous wind |
| सुदुष्करम् | suduṣkaram | immensely arduous to accomplish |
fickle and rapidly wavering
surely / indeed
the mind
O Krishna
turbulent and agitating
exceedingly strong and powerful
stubborn and unyielding
of that stubborn mind
I
curbing and control
consider
like the raging tempestuous wind
immensely arduous to accomplish
Detailed Commentary & Meaningful Thoughts
The wind image conveys Arjuna's experience of a powerful, unsettled mind. His concern invites the concrete answer of practice and nonattachment in 6.35.
Philosophical Reflection & Self-Inquiry
"Honest recognition of restlessness can replace unrealistic expectations."
Inquiry Question to Ponder:
What unrealistic expectation about the mind could you reconsider?
Modern Life Implementation (Practical Real-Life Application)
Apply this verse to master mental clarity and resilience: when your mind wanders into anxiety or distraction, gently bring it back without judgment, maintaining balance in food, sleep, work, and mindful reflection.