Chapter 6 Verse 34
Dhyān Yog
चञ्चलं हि मनः कृष्ण प्रमाथि बलवद्दृढम्। तस्याहं निग्रहं मन्ये वायोरिव सुदुष्करम्।।6.34।।
chañchalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛiṣhṇa pramāthi balavad dṛiḍham tasyāhaṁ nigrahaṁ manye vāyor iva su-duṣhkaram
Word Meanings
| chañchalam | restless |
| hi | certainly |
| manaḥ | mind |
| kṛiṣhṇa | Shree Krishna |
| pramāthi | turbulent |
| bala-vat | strong |
| dṛiḍham | obstinate |
| tasya | its |
| aham | I |
| nigraham | control |
| manye | think |
| vāyoḥ | of the wind |
| iva | like |
| su-duṣhkaram | difficult to perform |
Translation
The mind is indeed restless, turbulent, strong, and unyielding, O Krishna; I consider it as difficult to control as controlling the wind.
Philosophical Significance
Core Meaning
Arjuna admits that the mind is naturally restless, powerful, and hard to hold steady—like trying to catch the wind. This is not a failure; it is the mind’s basic habit of moving toward objects and desires.
Control of the mind is not instant. It needs steady, patient effort and simple practice. Recognizing the mind’s nature is the first honest step toward working with it, not against it.
A gentle, regular training—like watching the breath, choosing one task at a time, and coming back again when attention wanders—slowly brings steadiness. Be kind to yourself in this process; persistence matters more than perfection.
Life Application
- Pause for 2–5 minutes when you feel scattered: breathe slowly and notice thoughts without judgment, then gently return to one focus.
- Do one task at a time; set a short timer (15–30 minutes) and work without switching apps or tabs.
- Build a small daily habit (5–10 minutes) of meditation or quiet awareness to strengthen mental steadiness over time.
Reflection Question
When does your mind drift most, and what small step can you take right now to bring it back?